After a month, our IE 2026 volunteers have left our beautiful island! They leave behind countless completed tasks, new friendships, valuable experiences, and lasting marks that will remind us of their contribution to the life of the local community for a long time to come.
During their stay on Murter, the volunteers learned about fertilisers, terra preta, and sustainable agriculture, exchanging knowledge and experiences with participants from different countries. They put what they learned into practice by making fertilisers that can be used to promote healthy plant growth and support more sustainable care for the island’s green spaces.
Alongside the educational activities, they took part in numerous public space improvement projects. They refreshed the paint on benches and fences, creatively painted a wall at the children’s playground, and joined students in planting greenery at the local primary school. With the support of Nela, Andrej, and Suzana, these activities turned into tangible results that will remain visible long after the volunteers’ departure.
Clean-up actions across different parts of the island were also an important part of the project. The volunteers cleaned the beach, the Ivinj area, and Raduč Hill, confronting the amount of waste surrounding us that often remains out of sight.
Through their dedication, they showed how working together can contribute to a cleaner environment and raise awareness of the importance of treating nature responsibly. Every cleaned area was a small but meaningful contribution to preserving the island that had become their home for a month.
However, ISLAND EXTRAVAGANZA 2026 was about much more than work and activities. By sharing everyday life in their communal accommodation, our volunteers gradually grew closer and became a little family. Movie nights, trips, cultural evenings, conversations, and spontaneous moments spent together became just as important a part of their experience as everything they learned and accomplished. On Murter, they made new friends, discovered different cultures, and created memories they will carry with them wherever life takes them next. Murter is now a little tidier, cleaner, and greener, and in some places, even more colourful. More importantly, what remains are the connections, experiences, and sense of togetherness that lie at the heart of volunteering.
Dear volunteers, thank you for becoming part of our community, dedicating your time and energy to our island, and leaving your mark on the ISLAND EXTRAVAGANZA 2026 project. We wish you the very best in everything that lies ahead and look forward to seeing where your journey takes you next. Good luck, and until we meet again! 💚🌿
