During the Social Impact Days campaign, celebrated from November 11th to 24th, the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) highlights how international students can make a difference in society. This campaign spans across 40 countries, engaging exchange students, local communities, and ESN volunteers in activities that foster solidarity, intercultural dialogue, and civic engagement.

At its core, Social Impact Days reflect ESN’s mission: enriching society through international students. By encouraging active involvement in local initiatives, the Social Impact Days campaign showcases how mobilities can be both impactful and inclusive.

In this spirit, ESN Rijeka is celebrating the efforts of local volunteers and the meaningful contributions they bring to their communities. Through a series of Q&A interviews, we’ll explore the experiences of individuals whose dedication embodies the true essence of Social Impact Days. Let’s discover how they are making a difference!

Association: Centar za kulturu dijaloga

Volunteer: Marta Treska

1. What is the focus of association Centar za kulturu dijaloga, and what are its main activities and projects?

   Centar za kulturu dijaloga supports children and families at risk of poverty and is developing a national food donation system called „Mreža hrane“. The main activities of the association include individual tutoring, organizing various workshops such as culinary, creative, and IT workshops, psychological support for children and families, and extracurricular activities. The association also implements several projects, including „Moje mjesto pod suncem“, „Fizi-bizi“ and „Socijalno mentorstvo – ulaganje u budućnost“.

2. Why is the work of association Centar za kulturu dijaloga important for the community?

   The work of Centar za kulturu dijaloga is important because it provides support to children and families at risk of poverty, helping the most vulnerable members of society. The programs run by Centar za kulturu dijaloga ensure children receive educational support, skill development, and participation in extracurricular activities, increasing their chances for a better future. Additionally, families are given emotional support to help them overcome challenging life circumstances.

3. What skills and/or knowledge do young people gain through your activities, and how does volunteering impact their personal and/or professional development?

   Through the association's activities, young people gain essential skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Volunteering enriches personal development, fosters a sense of purpose and self-confidence, and provides knowledge and experiences valuable in a professional context.

4. How can young people get involved in the activities of association Centar za kulturu dijaloga?

   Young people can get involved in the activities of Centar za kulturu dijaloga by filling out an application form available on the association's official website. Once they submit their application, volunteers will be invited to a selection interview with members of the program’s core team. After the selection process, chosen volunteers will participate in training sessions that will familiarize them with their responsibilities and prepare them for working with children.

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Association: UZOR

Volunteer: Lara Vlahović

1. What is the focus of association UZOR, and what are its main activities and projects?

   UZOR is a non-profit organization that carries out activities aimed at helping, supporting, and protecting vulnerable groups, with the goal of fostering a culture of non-violence, tolerance, social solidarity, health and care. So far, they have implemented 55 projects as the main organizer and 4 as a partner (source: https://udruga-uzor-rijeka.hr/).

2. Why is the work of association UZOR important for the community?

   I believe UZOR's work is important for the community because it provides mental health support to children and young people while also addressing and combating domestic violence.

3. What skills and/or knowledge do young people gain through your activities, and how does volunteering impact their personal and/or professional development?

   Young people who decide to volunteer with this organization gain skills such as empathy and active listening, communication skills, time management, and flexibility in thinking and behavior. Personally, I enjoy volunteering with the association because of my intrinsic motivation to contribute to the community.

4. How can young people get involved in the activities of association UZOR?

   If young people want to join the organization, they simply need to reach out via the official email provided on the association's social media pages.

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Association: Portić

Volunteer: Ivona Tidić

1. What is the focus of association Portić and what are its main activities and projects?

   Portić aims to create a society that advocates for the well-being of children, enabling them to take full responsibility within their community. It promotes values in child care, encourages early development, advocates for appropriate non-institutional care, raises social awareness, strengthens parental competencies for child-rearing in the best interest of children and youth, and implements psychosocial support programs for children, youth, parents, and members of the association. Current projects and activities include „Pripovjedač/ica priča za laku noć“, „1 za sve - psihosocijalna podrška za jednoroditeljske obitelji“, „Čitko - projekt razvijanja čitalačke kompetencije“, „Pod riječkim suncobranom“, „Pod riječkim kišobranom“ and „Portić volonterima“.

2. Why is the work of association Portić important for the community?

   The work of Portić is essential because it focuses on providing support to those who need it the most—our children! Additionally, the association strongly promotes volunteering among people of all age groups, spreading the message about the importance of this noble activity.

3. What skills and/or knowledge do young people gain through the association's activities, and how does volunteering impact their personal and/or professional development?

   I believe that volunteering activities within Portić, particularly the „Pripovjedač/ica priča za laku noć“ (engl. "Bedtime storyteller") project I am part of, offer us volunteers an opportunity to familiarize ourselves with the hospital system, its staff, rules, procedures, and communication methods. Additionally, we enrich our knowledge and skills and become sensitized to working and communicating with children and their parents. This happens both through direct experiences of telling stories to children in the hospital and through various workshops and supervisions organized by Portić, which truly cares about its volunteers and their growth in this field.

   Equally important, I would say, are the positive emotions we as volunteers experience while spending time with children—helping them and bringing joy into their lives. Spending time with children is an enriching and fulfilling experience. While we are there for the children, they also fill us with their energy, playfulness, joy, and sincerity. This positively impacts our personal and emotional development and changes our perspectives and ways of dealing with everyday life situations. It fosters gratitude—both for our own lives and for the opportunity to be even a small part of these wonderful children’s lives.

   Furthermore, volunteering at Portić brings numerous new acquaintances and friendships, which inevitably enrich everyone involved in many ways.

4. How can young people get involved in the activities of association Portić?

   For the „Pripovjedač/ica priča za laku noć“ project, young people can get involved by signing up for an introductory seminar for volunteers, typically held twice a year. Information about the seminar is published on Portić's website. After completing the seminar—which aims to provide support and transfer necessary knowledge to future volunteers—and signing a volunteer contract, volunteers can gradually start their storytelling journey with the guidance of more experienced members.

   Additionally, young people can volunteer in the „1 za sve - psihosocijalna podrška za jednoroditeljske obitelji (engl. "1 for all - psychosocial support for single-parent families") project as workshop leaders for children while their parents attend support groups, or in the Čitko project as facilitators of workshops to strengthen reading skills.

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Association: Veliko srce

Volunteer: Rea Šijak

1. What is the focus of association Veliko srce, and what are its main activities and projects?

   Veliko Srce organizes daily sports and recreational activities for children and young people with developmental difficulties and individuals with intellectual disabilities. The association's activities focus on direct work with beneficiaries under the professional guidance of kinesiologists and educational rehabilitators. We organize group and individual training sessions tailored to the abilities of our members. Training sessions take place in gyms, swimming pools, and outdoor areas when weather conditions allow.

2. Why is the work of association Veliko srce important for the community?

   Since the association helps individuals with developmental difficulties, it is vital to the community because it provides support and security to those who need it most. By offering tailored training sessions, the association contributes to their motor development as well as cognitive growth, which includes building self-confidence.

3. What skills and/or knowledge do young people gain through your activities, and how does volunteering impact their personal and/or professional development?

   Volunteering in Veliko srce has taught me to appreciate everything I have and to respect differences. It has helped me develop patience and composure and filled me with a sense of satisfaction when I realized that I contribute, even in a small way, to the happiness of the children I help.

4. How can young people get involved in the activities of the association Veliko srce?

   Anyone interested can contact the association via phone or the official website. If they have a love for children and helping others, they can assist in conducting sports workshops, bringing joy to both themselves and others.

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In highlighting the amazing work of various associations and the personal growth volunteering offers, we hope to contribute to the goals of Social Impact Days by encouraging exchange students to get involved in local initiatives.