With Burja Across Europe within the Erasmus+ Program

Active, Connected and Sustainable with Erasmus+ in Metković

As part of an Erasmus+ mobility activity, participants from Zavod Burja visited the host organisation Udruga Dobra in Metković, Croatia. The group mobility focused on developing competences related to active citizenship, sustainable development, cultural expression and intercultural dialogue, bringing together adult learners from Slovenia with local participants from Udruga Dobra and the wider Neretva Valley community. The programme was based on non-formal and experiential learning, with cooperation, exchange of experiences and active participation in the local community at its core.

The introductory day was dedicated to getting to know the host organisation, its activities, and the social and cultural environment of Metković. Participants learned about the work of Udruga Dobra, which plays an important role in promoting adult education, social inclusion and sustainable development within the local community. Through presentations and discussions, they explored the characteristics of the Neretva Valley, its development opportunities and challenges, while reflecting on the importance of local initiatives in strengthening social responsibility and improving quality of life. This introduction laid the foundations for the collaborative and intercultural learning process that followed.

A significant part of the mobility focused on sustainable development and outdoor education. In the village of Desne, near Metković, participants explored the natural environment of the Neretva Valley, the importance of biodiversity, medicinal plants and contemporary approaches to outdoor learning. Nature was presented as both a learning environment and a space for recreation, fostering critical thinking, environmental responsibility and a deeper understanding of the relationship between people and nature. Through practical activities, participants discovered how outdoor education methods can become effective tools in adult education and how sustainability can be integrated into everyday educational practice. Working in groups, they designed their own outdoor learning activities based on the principles of participatory learning and sustainable development.

An especially valuable part of the programme was the participants’ active involvement in environmental and socially responsible initiatives. During a clean-up activity at the mouth of the Neretva River, they contributed directly to environmental protection while reflecting on the importance of both personal and collective responsibility for preserving natural resources. These activities demonstrated that active citizenship is not merely a theoretical concept but a way of acting based on cooperation, solidarity and a willingness to contribute to the common good. This hands-on experience helped participants better understand the impact individuals can have on the environment and the importance of community action in addressing contemporary environmental challenges.

The programme also introduced participants to the field of social entrepreneurship. Through workshops and presentations of local good practice examples, including the Eko Rural initiative, participants discussed ways of combining entrepreneurial ideas with social responsibility, sustainable development and local community needs. Social entrepreneurship was presented as an important mechanism for creating positive social change, where economic activities serve the broader goal of improving community well-being. Working in groups, participants developed their own proposals for socially beneficial initiatives while strengthening their creativity, entrepreneurial thinking, teamwork and ability to design innovative solutions to current social challenges.

Another central theme of the mobility was the cultural heritage of the Neretva Valley. Through field-based learning, a visit to the Eko Rural Fair and participation in the traditional cultural event organised annually by Udruga Dobra, participants explored the richness of local traditions, cultural practices and natural heritage. The programme emphasised that cultural heritage is not only a legacy of the past but also an important driver of identity, intercultural dialogue and sustainable development. Direct interaction with local residents, artisans and organisers enabled participants to better understand the importance of preserving traditions while promoting their contemporary interpretation within local community development. Cultural expression was presented as a means of connecting people, building trust and encouraging respect for diversity—one of the core values of the Erasmus+ Programme.

The entire mobility was designed according to modern adult education methodology, based on experiential learning, collaborative approaches, reflection and the active involvement of participants. Instead of traditional lectures, the programme relied on workshops, teamwork, field activities, discussions with local stakeholders and daily reflection sessions, enabling participants to connect newly acquired knowledge with their own experiences. This approach encourages critical thinking, autonomy, communication skills and readiness for active participation in society. Particular emphasis was also placed on intercultural learning, as everyday interaction with the hosts and the local community strengthened participants’ openness, respect for diversity and ability to engage in meaningful dialogue in a multicultural environment.

The final part of the mobility focused on reflection, evaluation and planning the transfer of acquired knowledge into participants’ own communities and professional practice. Together, participants assessed the learning outcomes achieved, identified the competences they had developed and explored ways of applying them in their daily work and local environments. They particularly highlighted the importance of linking sustainable development, active citizenship, cultural heritage and intercultural cooperation as key elements in building resilient, inclusive and responsible communities. The mobility in Metković once again confirmed that Erasmus+ is not only an international mobility programme but, above all, a platform for shared learning, the exchange of good practices and the development of partnerships that contribute to sustainable development, European values and higher-quality adult education.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our hosts for their warm hospitality, excellent cooperation and inspiring programme. We look forward to continuing our collaboration through future joint initiatives and Erasmus+ projects.