Pledge to make a difference, together.
Suncokret - Community Development Center is a non-governmental and non-profit organization founded in 2004 in Vrginmost. The organization operates in Sisak-Moslavina County with the aim of alleviating the negative psychological, social and cultural consequences of the war and social problems in the region. Suncokret's work is focused on improving the quality of life of all community members, with a special emphasis on children and youth, community reconstruction and support for the development of a sustainable, democratic civil society. Our activities are based on working with individuals, families, groups and communities, encouraging active participation and training. We support positive initiatives, encourage mutual cooperation and respect for differences. The organization is committed to building democratic values, civic initiative and participation, community development, volunteerism and altruism, equal sharing of responsibilities and equal opportunities for all, regardless of gender, religion or nationality. In recent years, Suncokret has expanded its activities aimed at children, youth and the elderly to the earthquake-affected municipality of Topusko and the city of Glina. Over the years, Suncokret has continuously represented a stable pillar of social support for children and youth in the community, despite fluctuations in relations with local institutions. Today, institutions rely on Suncokret's provision of support to children and youth, as well as creating employment opportunities and support for the elderly in the community. Through its regular activities, with the support of younger team members from the community who grew up in Suncokret, the center's key target groups have services they can rely on: children (support in learning), the elderly (visits to the nursing home in Glina, repairs and assistance to elderly households in the villages) and the working-age population (employment through public works). During twenty years of operation, Suncokret has provided support and empowerment to several generations of children and youth from Vrginmost (over 1000 of them), as well as adults and elderly in difficult socio-economic situations. In its work, Suncokret relies to a large extent on the support of international volunteers who represent the significant human resources available to the center. To the extent possible, the Sunflower team has always tried to positively influence the development of the community through its activities and work - international volunteers have enabled generations of children and young people to get to know other cultures and accept multiculturalism, improve their language, communication and other skills; while the local team provides and coordinates community service activities. At Suncokret, volunteering means sharing and learning: volunteers learn about organic gardening, permaculture and sustainability, and in turn empower Suncokret by sharing their skills with children and youth and supporting the local community through physical work. Volunteer support made it possible to arrange access to a source of drinking water, clean up the environment, help elderly and infirm people with landscaping, work in the garden and vegetable garden, and preparation for winter. Sunsokret annually hosts over 150 volunteers and records more than 10,000 volunteer hours in the community. Vision Strong, supportive and sustainable communities in Sisak-Moslavina County and beyond where young people have opportunities and all residents exercise their rights - communities ready for the future. Mission Suncokret creates inclusive, connected, sustainable and resilient communities by bringing together different generations, empowering them, building relationships of trust and solidarity between them and engaging in various intercultural interactions and activities tailored to the needs of the community. Suncokret mobilizes and organizes international volunteers who contribute to social inclusion, interculturalism and intergenerational cooperation with their engagement. Values Integrity - Suncokret works transparently, demonstrating responsibility and being accountable to the community and partners, thereby building trust and long-term support. Diversity - Suncokret believes in diversity and in accepting and respecting diversity not only as a basis for normal individual development, but as a prerequisite for building strong and resilient communities. Human Rights - The basic rights of every person in the local community in which Suncokret operates, which are in any way questioned, provoke a reaction from Suncokret. Inclusivity - Suncokret is committed to creating communities in which all community members, regardless of their age, gender, socioeconomic status, nationality, religion or any other differences, are equally included and have equal opportunities to participate in activities and make decisions. Inclusivity is the foundation for building a just and solidarily connected society. Civic Responsibility - Suncokret encourages active civic participation, empowering individuals to take responsibility for the life and well-being of their communities. Lifelong Learning - Suncokret bases its work on non-formal education and encourages lifelong learning for all age groups. Suncokret - Centre for Community Development is a Croatian non-governmental, non-profit organization founded as a response to the psychosocial needs of a rural, isolated, economically depressed postwar and post earthquake community facing high unemployment and depopulation. Suncokret undertakes community development work and aims to address negative psychological, social and cultural consequences of the social upheavals and post disaster response in the region, to improve the quality of life for all, but especially for deprived socially excluded members of the society, to promote community rebuilding, and support development of a sustainable democratic civil society. Reintegration and the improvement of life is essential in this area that suffered war and displacement and now again after the earthquakes needed help. Some lost their homes in the war and again in the earthquakes in 2020. Our activities assist in the reintegration of the community and ultimately contribute community building and development of inter-ethnic/national understanding, tolerance and reconciliation. Through our current activities the Community Center is a catalyst for civic and social change. Our organization promotes community development in a rural community. We aim to develop dialogue and interpersonal tolerance in a multiethnic environment through educational and creative activities and provide informal education of the local population in the post war area. We encourage and empower civil society through education, volunteerism and activism and improve the quality of life by providing education, supporting the civil society and preserving the environment. We organise international volunteer camps, local community actions and service projects and by provide education, access to information and a variety of activities otherwise not readily available in this postwar area. Suncokret creates inclusive, connected, sustainable and resilient communities by bringing together different generations, empowering them, building relationships of trust and solidarity between them and engaging in various intercultural interactions and activities tailored to the needs of the community.