Young Croatians abroad reconnect with homeland by restoring nature

(Photo: Croatian Heritage Foundation)

BIOGRAD NA MORU, 16 August 2025 (Hina) – Twenty-four young people of Croatian descent from around the world have spent two weeks in Biograd na Moru as part of the Eco Heritage Task Force programme, helping to restore the natural environment and learning more about their ancestral homeland.

The volunteers, aged between 18 and 35, came from North Macedonia, Hungary, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and Germany.

Their main task was cleaning and maintaining Vransko Lake Nature Park, Croatia’s largest natural lake. Each morning, the group set out at dawn to clear branches and collect rubbish from the area.

(Photo: Croatian Heritage Foundation)

“We woke up at sunrise and cleaned the lake. Some of us were cutting back branches, while others picked up litter,” said Emilija from Germany.

(Photo: Croatian Heritage Foundation)

In addition to their environmental work, the group also helped renovate primary and secondary schools in Biograd na Moru. In return, the town provided them with accommodation in a hotel, meals, organised excursions, and a space for social activities.

(Photo: Croatian Heritage Foundation)

When not volunteering, the participants spent time with local fishermen, joined guided tours, listened to stories about Biograd na Moru and Croatian history, and even took part in a gastronomy workshop.

“In the afternoons some of us were cooking, while others were studying Croatian grammar,” added Luka from Australia.

Representatives of the Ministry of Demography and Migration also met with the group to present programmes designed to encourage members of the Croatian diaspora to return and build their lives in Croatia.

(Photo: Croatian Heritage Foundation)

A project with roots in the Homeland War

The Eco Heritage Task Force has its origins in the Homeland War, when Croatian youth from Canada launched the “Task Force” initiative in 1992 under the slogan “Blisters for Croatia”.

The first project took place in the war-ravaged village of Voćin in Podravina.

(Photo: Croatian Heritage Foundation)

Since 1995, the programme has been organised annually by the Croatian Heritage Foundation (Hrvatska matica iseljenika). Over the years, it has evolved into an eco-volunteer project through which young people of Croatian descent help restore nature and cultural heritage across the country.

Applications for future editions of the programme can be submitted directly to the Croatian Heritage Foundation via e-mail.