Sustainable Park Istria has been operating since 2014

Sustainable Park Istria has been operating since 2014. To date, it has hosted more than 1,000 volunteers from 56 countries around the world. In more than 2,000 volunteering actions, 70,000 hours of volunteer work were donated to Slovenian Istria. Volunteer Center of Park Istra in Kastelec is one of the few such centers in Europe, which can host twenty volunteers at any time and responds daily to the needs and challenges of the local environment. The aim of Park Istra is to contribute towards sustainable development of the socially degraded inland Istria and inspire young people, especially those with fewer opportunities, for charity and active citizenship. The areas covered by Park Istra are diverse. Volunteers help organizations and individuals with protection of cultural and natural heritage, carry out educational activities, help the socially vulnerable and support various sustainable projects throughout Slovenian Istria. Volunteers will be involved in the planning and implementation of various activities in four main areas: - Helping local residents The activities will focus on locals with fewer opportunities and support locals with good ideas that contribute to green jobs and sustainable development of the region. - Assistance to local organizations Local organizations have great ideas and a good understanding of the needs of the local environment. Unfortunately they are often hampered by a lack of resources and staff. We will participate in actions of the Red Cross, Karitas, Center for Social Work, animal shelter, local tourist associations... - Care for the regional heritage In cooperation with local communities, volunteers will carry out actions to preserve the natural and cultural heritage. Examples of these activities are maintenance of cultural monuments, old houses, churches; organization of clean-up actions; restoration of drywalls; cleaning overgrown paths; assistance in the care of protected natural areas; help with organization of local events. - Education Volunteers will prepare workshops for other volunteers at the Volunteer Center (afternoon workshops) and prepare lectures for locals and students in primary and secondary schools. In doing so, volunteers will contribute to raising awareness, teach practical skills and inspire young people for charity and active citizenship. On a monthly basis, we offer support to 50 different stakeholders: local communities, non-governmental organizations, public institutions (Center for Social Work, elderly homes, schools ...), active individuals who want to improve the quality of life in the local environment, individuals in need (elderly, socially deprived ...), small farmers… Volunteers at Park Istra work together, learn, have fun and help the local community by working on sustainable projects. Living in a group of volunteers enriches people at all levels. Through team work, life in an intercultural environment and many different workshops available to volunteers during their stay in Park Istra, volunteers learn new skills and share their knowledge with one another. Many volunteers are deeply touched by the experience of helping the local community, which gives us a great a sense of inner satisfaction and fulfillment.