WHAT DOES EKO-CENTAR DO?
Eko-centar protects and cares for the natural diversity and encourages the preservation of traditional values. We protect the natural-cultural values of the island of Cres. Our main programme is the active protection of the Eurasian Griffon and through six volunteer programmes you protect them with us. Every programme has its own purpose: 1. programme of Eurasian Griffon protection, 2. restoration of dry stone walls, 3. recovery of freshwater ponds, 4. management of eco trails, 5. working with tourists, 6. helping the local inhabitants.
WHO DO I NEED TO CONTACT?
The best way is to contact us via our email address. You can telephone: 00385 (0) 91 335 7129 or 00385 (0) 51 840 525. On the contact page there is an interactive volunteer application form. You can fill-in the form and with one click of the mouse send directly to our email address. We will put you on our volunteer calendar and contact you to confirm the dates of your stay.
DO I HAVE TO PAY TO VOLUNTEER?
No you do not pay to volunteer. You only have to pay a participation fee for participating in educational-volunteer programme (accommodation and food are included). You can find prices here.
WHAT DOES THAT PAY FOR?
Depending on the period in which you come the volunteer’s participation changes. For the summer months participation it is higher because the water and electricity, which you use are more expensive. The price includes the fuel for the boat and car to trip to the nesting grounds, the price of food is same all year round.
DO I NEED ANY QUALIFICATIONS TO VOLUNTEER?
To volunteer it is not necessary to have qualifications, however IT IS NECESSARY to have a love for nature.
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD I CONTACT YOU ABOUT VOLUNTEERING?
It is best to contact us as soon as you decide when you want to come. For the summer months it is necessary to contact us as soon as possible because they are very crowded.
WHEN CAN I COME AND VOLUNTEER?
It is possible to volunteer from 1.3. till 31.10.
HOW LONG IS IT POSSIBLE TO VOLUNTEER?
Minimal period is 10 days, any maximum period is by prior agreement.
WHAT ARE THE AGE LIMITS FOR VOLUNTEERING?
If you would like to volunteer with us, you need to be 18 years old, but if you are 118 years old we will always find work for you. Youngsters under 18 can only volunteer if accompanied by an elder (a parent, brother, sister..) and with previous agreement with us.
HOW DO I GET TO YOU?
Depending which is your starting point to us you can come by every transport means. Direct bus route from Zagreb, catamaran from Rijeka, by car over island of Krk or by ferry from Brestova-Porozina… map of Cres.
DO YOU DETERMINE THE DATE OR CAN I CHOOSE?
You can determine the date for volunteering. Only if the dates selected are full do you need to select another period.
CAN I BRING MY DOG OR CAT?
Rules are, no. Our yard is full of different animals, children and visitors, it is difficult to judge how our friends in the centre will behave, how will they react to the animals of guests, how will they fit in with our symphony.
WHAT ARE MY ‘WORKING HOURS’ ?
The working time depends on which programme you participate in. They are about 6 hours in day
WHAT IS THE MINIMAL PERIOD TO VOLUNTEER ?
Minimal period is 10 days.
CAN I USE THE INTERNET ?
The computer for volunteers is in the dining room and available for every volunteer after 7pm. To use the computer for 60 minutes costs 5 kunas.
CAN I USE THE TELEPHONE ?
You can accept calls on our telephone, but the use of the telephone is possible only in exceptional circumstances.
WHERE WILL I STAY ?
You will stay in one of four of our rooms especially prepared for volunteers. Ever room has eight beds. There are 4 shower rooms, a large kitchen and a dining room.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO IN VOLUNTEERING TO HELP THE GRIFFONS?
Everything that you do in the Eko-centar you do for the griffons. We have a holistic approach and all volunteer programmes lead to one – the protection of the Eurasian Griffons.
CAN I BRING FRIENDS ?
Of course, that is very desirable, and if you bring three friends we will award you with one week’s volunteering free of charge accommodation.
CAN I DECIDE ABOUT HOW LONG I WILL VOLUNTEER DURING MY STAY ?
If you volunteer for a minimum of ten days you can decide to extend your stay afterwards. Of course if in that time there is free space. For longer volunteering it is necessary to volunteer for 30 days, and thereafter you need to sign a special agreement with us about long-term volunteering.
WHO WILL I FIND IN EKO-CENTAR ?
Pepica and her son Sedmica (donkeys), Severina and Lujo (dogs), Mrak, Blue, Piki and Mirko (cats), Mirta (sheep), Silvan (sheep), griffons in recovery cage (Koleda, Pepina and Torgos) other volunteers, Nives (leader of volunteer programme), Bonk (educator), Davor (IT specialist), Quentin (chef), sometimes Goran (president), Vesna (vice president) and Bojko and Dea – our youngest volunteers.
IS THE RESTORATION OF THE DRYSTONE WALLS HELPING THE GRIFFONS ?
Everything you do in Eko-centar helps the griffons. Every job we dedicate to their welfare, as well as and restoration of the walls which we do in a traditional way is at the same protecting the sheep which are necessary for the traditional way of life in which the griffons are a part of.
WHAT ARE DRYSTONE WALLS?
Drystone walls are walls that you can see all over the island of Cres. The walls are important to Cres inhabitants, their sheep and the Eurasian Griffons.
CAN JUST OBSERVE THE GRIFFONS AND OTHER BIRDS ?
If you only want to observe the griffons you need to book your arrival in advance if you are a biologist or scientist who needs only this kind of volunteering.
CAN I SMOKE AND DRINK ALCOHOL IN THE EKO-CENTAR ?
In the building and surroundings it is not allowed to drink or take any drugs and smoking. Smoking is allowed only in special place for smoking.