Tijekom jeseni 2026. godine DKolektiv je u Osijeku ugostio novu međunarodnu grupu volontera u okviru projekta RISE – Reinforcing Inclusion and Social Engagement, koji se provodi kroz program Europskih snaga solidarnosti. Mladi iz sedam različitih europskih zemalja tijekom dva tjedna uključivali su se u život lokalne zajednice, sudjelovali u volonterskim aktivnostima i upoznavali ljude različitih generacija, iskustava i životnih okolnosti.

Ovoga puta zajednička tema bila je Community Wellbeing – dobrobit zajednice. Kroz niz aktivnosti volonteri su istraživali kako volontiranje, međusobna podrška i jednostavni svakodnevni susreti mogu doprinijeti osjećaju pripadnosti, povezanosti i kvalitetnijem životu u zajednici.

Mali doprinosi koji stvaraju povezaniju zajednicu

Tijekom boravka u Osijeku volonteri su surađivali s lokalnim organizacijama, školama i ustanovama te sudjelovali u aktivnostima usmjerenima na međugeneracijsko povezivanje, solidarnost, mentalno zdravlje i uključivanje građana.

U OŠ Franje Krežme i Medicinskoj školi Osijek su s učenicima razgovarali o volontiranju, dijelili vlastita iskustva i predstavljali mogućnosti međunarodnog angažmana mladih. Susreti su bili prilika za razmjenu različitih perspektiva, ali i za razvoj komunikacijskih i prezentacijskih vještina volontera. Posebno ih je iznenadila otvorenost i znatiželja učenika te njihova spremnost da postavljaju pitanja i uključuju se u razgovor.

Važan dio programa činile su aktivnosti sa starijim sugrađanima. Kroz kreativne radionice, druženje, igre i ples, volonteri su imali priliku upoznati ljude s drugačijim životnim iskustvima i osvijestiti važnost međugeneracijske solidarnosti. Susreti s na Međugeneracijskom festivalu s Aktivnim umirovljenicima Osijek i Domom za starije u nemoćne osobe u Osijeku pokazali su koliko zajednički provedeno vrijeme, razgovor i pažnja mogu značiti ljudima, neovisno o njihovoj dobi.

Volonteri su sudjelovali i u uređenju prostora za aktivnosti terapijskog jahanja u udruzi MOGU, uključujući bojanje ograde, te u uređenju okoliša i čišćenju ružičnjaka. Na taj su način pružili konkretnu podršku organizacijama i inicijativama koje doprinose dobrobiti lokalne zajednice.

Posebno iskustvo bilo je sudjelovanje u utrci posvećenoj promicanju mentalnog zdravlja. Izradom poruka podrške i navijanjem za trkače pokazali su kako i jednostavne geste ohrabrenja mogu imati snažan učinak. Za mnoge je upravo ova aktivnost ostala među najupečatljivijim trenucima projekta.

Volontiranje kao prostor osobnog razvoja i učenja

Osim doprinosa lokalnoj zajednici, projekt RISE mladima je omogućio razvoj brojnih osobnih i društvenih kompetencija. Zajednički život i rad u međunarodnom timu zahtijevali su prilagodljivost, suradnju, otvorenu komunikaciju i uvažavanje različitih perspektiva.

Kroz osmišljavanje i provedbu aktivnosti razvijali su organizacijske, komunikacijske i timske vještine, ali i samopouzdanje, samostalnost i spremnost na nove izazove. Susreti s različitim skupinama građana dodatno su im približili važnost empatije, aktivnog slušanja i stvaranja prostora u kojem se svatko može osjećati uključeno.

Ipak, ono što se posebno ističe u njihovim osobnim osvrtima su promjene u načinu na koji promatraju sebe, druge ljude i vlastitu ulogu u zajednici.

 

Jana Osvalde (Latvija):

When I arrived in Osijek for my first European Solidarity Corps (ESC) project, I never expected to learn so much about the world and myself in just a few weeks. As a group of volunteers from different countries, we came together to work on the project, support the local community, and learn from each other.

We visited schools to talk to children about volunteering, and I was surprised by how curious and confident they were, asking questions without hesitation. Sometimes, I struggle to do the same myself! We also spent time with seniors, taking part in different activities. One woman could even do the splits. That is something I can’t do myself! It reminded me that age doesn’t always define our abilities. Every person I met taught me something different.

Another memorable moment was supporting runners during an event promoting mental health. I found myself cheering loudly and expressing my emotions freely. It felt like therapy, allowing me to forget about other people’s opinions and simply enjoy cheering others on.

On the weekends, I had the opportunity to travel to Hungary and Slovenia. One of my favourite experiences was visiting Lake Bled. As a nature lover, I decided to go on my own. I simply got on the bus, knowing I could ask for help if needed. Bled was even more beautiful than I expected, and its peaceful surroundings helped me recharge.

This experience taught me that I don’t need a perfect plan to try something new and that I can trust myself more than I sometimes realise. The project didn’t remove all my insecurities, but it helped me understand myself better and see where I still want to grow.

I am returning home with countless photographs and magnets. One day, I hope to look through my photo albums with my future children and tell them these stories.

If I could tell my past self one thing, I would say “Don’t be afraid to try. You’re capable of so much more than you think!” You can sleep when you get home, but you might miss an unforgettable adventure if you never take the first step.

This was my first ESC project, but definitely not my last!

 

Unai Matos Moreno (Španjolska):

Sometimes, the experiences that change us the most begin with a selfless decision: to show up for others.

For me, that choice was to join the European Solidarity Corps (ESC). Thanks to the support and opportunities provided by the EU and local organisations, I could ask myself: “Why not spend two weeks in Croatia supporting social inclusion and the local community?” I never imagined this small decision could change lives, especially my own.

After countless hours travelling by train, plane and bus, I arrived in Osijek. To my delight, not only the local community but also a formidable team of volunteers welcomed me warmly: young people of different nationalities and backgrounds, united by one purpose: to contribute.

I soon understood why the people of Osijek feel such pride in their city when I met DKolektiv, led by Bruno and supported by an exceptional team (special thanks to Ivana and Valentino for guiding us throughout the project).

During the project, we carried out various activities in support of the local community, including our participation at Osijek’s Retirement Club and hanging out with Active Pensioners Club, where we celebrated the International Elderly Day, playing, eating and dancing until our feet gave up (ours did; the older participants could have carried on until morning). At MOGU, we painted a fence for therapeutic horse riding, accompanied by country music and lovely animals. We also led workshops at a local school and the Medical School, whose very intelligent students received us with great hospitality, and joined a charity run promoting mental health, running and cheering until breathless.

Yet the most meaningful moments went beyond the activities. In just two weeks, our international team became a family, not by blood, but through care and shared purpose. We shared food, music and traditions and, more importantly, discovered that differences need not divide us. Shared values and the desire to make the world a little better brought us together.

I leave with friendships, new skills and a broader perspective. Volunteering reminded me that giving is never one-way: while we contribute, others enrich us in return. I also found joy in new experiences, from making a wool bracelet to riding a horse and learning a sevillana.

But, above all, I leave with hope: hope in generations young and old, hope in communities that achieve remarkable things together, and hope in humanity’s ability to build a world where people, animals and nature can thrive. This hope reminds me that, beyond borders, ideology, race or gender, we share a dignity worth protecting. And as long as we keep choosing solidarity, compassion and hope, there is hope for a better future.

We only get one life. My humble advice? Make more selfless choices.

Giulia Condello (Italija):

An experience that connects all generations: this was at the heart of the project organised by D-Kolektiv in Osijek. I took part in an international team volunteering activity organised by the European Solidarity Corps (ESC), with Bruno and Ivana coordinating our activities. Our main goal was to promote community well-being and active citizenship through practical outdoor work and direct engagement with locals0.

Throughout the project, we took part in several activities, such as cleaning a rose garden and visiting schools to talk about volunteering. However, from my perspective, the most meaningful moment was cheering for runners during the city's 5 km and 10 km races. Seeing people of all ages come together, including a couple running with a baby stroller, showed me how sports can truly unite a community. Many runners thanked us, saying that our enthusiasm had motivated them to keep going. To an outside observer, cheering might seem like a simple gesture, but it had a real impact. After all, volunteering is not just about working; it is about human connection and the feeling of being part of something bigger.

Living and working alongside an international team was an adventure in itself. Beyond carrying out our activities together, sharing our daily routines and finding common ground despite our cultural differences quickly brought us closer together and turned us into a close-knit group.

Although this project did not change the whole world, it certainly changed me, and I hope it also left a positive mark on Osijek. Being part of this community helped me realise how important it is to be aware of the opportunities available across Europe if we want to make the most of them. On a personal level, I became more aware of my own needs and learned how to express them more clearly, while also learning to appreciate and respect the differences in others. Above all, I realised that small, everyday gestures can make a much greater difference than we might imagine.

People often wait for the perfect moment to take action. University exams, work commitments and personal routines make it easy to put things off. However, one of the most important lessons I learned is that there is no such thing as the perfect time. Sometimes, you simply have to take the leap and discover for yourself how much volunteering can give back to you.

 

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Europske Snage Solidarnosti (ESS) je program Europske Komisije koji financira razne projekte i inicijative. Program je sufinanciran sredstvima Europske unije.