Get involved in protecting the bear in Croatia. Join a rural community in Croatia, at the foot of Mount Velebit, to protect the brown bear within a sanctuary. All volunteering programs in Europe here.
Brown bear protection in Croatia
The project you will be involved in was created in 2002, in cooperation with Croatian universities. Initially, the sanctuary’s objective was to welcome bear cubs separated from their mothers that had come into contact with humans and whose chances of survival in their natural environment had become very slim. Over the years, the refuge has taken in bears from former zoos, those held illegally or that had suffered mistreatment. The sanctuary has today become a reference point for bear protection and for issues related to the coexistence between humans and large carnivores.
Promotion of a traditional way of life
The Croatian association today offers a healthy living environment for bears so that they can live in as wild an environment as possible. However, their mission goes far beyond the conservation project. It also supports the traditional way of life of the village, by perpetuating the culture of Kuterevo.
Get involved in protecting the bear in Croatia
You will live an experience alongside villagers who perpetuate a traditional culture, while contributing to the wellbeing of both people and animals! This means that you will need to adopt the local population’s way of life, learn their culture and their language. Learning the Croatian language is indeed essential to integrating into the community. You can take a language course in Split before heading to Kuterevo, or online.
Here are the daily tasks you will take part in as a volunteer:
- Forest maintenance: Maintaining the forest and its environment;
- Animal care: Ensuring the wellbeing of all the animals at the centre;
- Visitor support: Assisting at the welcome centre and educating visitors on bear conservation;
- Manual work: Carrying out simple manual tasks with the help of experienced individuals.
Dates and fees
- Year-round
- Minimum four weeks
- 4 weeks: €2,495 – €435 per additional week
Included in the fee Airport pick-up on Sunday; Transport between Split (where you will stay for the first two days) and the project in Kuterevo; Stay in a shared apartment; Access to common areas and free Wi-Fi!
Included in the fee
- Three meals per day during your stay in Split (the first two days) – vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free options are available upon request;
- Three meals per day at the sanctuary, but you will need to cook for yourselves;
- Orientation upon arrival: culture, volunteering, programme details and safety;
- Coordination, emergency assistance and continuous support throughout your stay provided by Impact Trip.
Not included in the fee
- Travel to Split;
- Airport pick-up on dates other than Sunday;
- Return to the airport;
- Personal expenses;
- Transport between Kuterevo and Split;
- Travel insurance.
- Volunteers must be flexible, curious, open-minded and respectful.
- From 18 years old
- Languages: intermediate English; Croatian (basic knowledge)
- Minimum one month
Accommodation: You will stay in a traditional local house with other volunteers. The facilities are basic and include eco-friendly dry toilets with wood shavings compost. Volunteers are responsible for preparing meals, cleaning and other daily tasks.
Food: Food is fully covered for the first two days. A kitchen is available on site for the rest of the stay.
Arrival: Volunteers arrive in Split on Sunday and sleep at the hotel with all the other international volunteers! On Monday, they will visit Split. Tuesday also takes place in Split, either visiting the city or taking part in a one-off voluntary activity (the choice is yours). On Wednesday, they will travel by car to the bear sanctuary with a coordinator.
Located in the mountainous area of Velebit, the town of Kuterevo is a peaceful place surrounded by nature. There is a river nearby, perfect for a refreshing swim in summer, and plenty of outdoor activities! The Velebit National Park is close by. The locals are excellent farmers, which means there are plenty of local products to taste. The nearest large town is 14 km away and is accessible by public transport! You can always spend your weekends in Split with other international volunteers!
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About the Partner
Our partner is a social enterprise whose mission is to support and strengthen the work of non-profit social and environmental organizations. The company was founded in 2015 by Rita and Diogo, two social entrepreneurs who wanted to change the way people travel. The organization offers travelers the opportunity to take part in a variety of projects, mainly across Europe. It is B Corp certified, meaning that it combines social and environmental goals with profit. The B Corp community works toward reducing inequality, lowering poverty levels, creating a healthier environment, building stronger communities, and generating more high-quality jobs with dignity and purpose.
