With Burja Across Europe within the Erasmus+ Program

Learning through Cultural Heritage, Inclusion and International Cooperation

In mid-July 2026, within the framework of the Erasmus+ Programme, we carried out a staff mobility at the Association of Pensioners of Makarska (Matica umirovljenika Makarska) in Croatia. The organisation has been active in the local community since 1946 and has operated in its current organisational form since 2002. For the past six years, it has been led by the highly committed and always cheerful President, Jadranka Gaće, together with her closest associate, Sanja Puharić. Today, the organisation brings together more than 300 members. During the last two years, thanks to donations from individuals and local businesses, its premises on the Makarska waterfront have been completely renovated. The organisation works closely with a wide range of stakeholders, including the local municipality and professional institutions, in the implementation of workshops and community projects. Several working meetings were also attended by David Ivanac from the Department of Social Affairs of the City of Makarska.

The mobility focused on the professional development of staff members, the exchange of good practices, and gaining a deeper understanding of educational approaches in adult education, cultural heritage preservation, traditional handicrafts, cultural tourism and international cooperation.

For many years, the host organisation has made an important contribution to the active participation of older adults in the cultural, social and educational life of the local community. Its work is based on the belief that older people possess valuable life knowledge and experience that should be preserved, transferred between generations and integrated into contemporary forms of non-formal learning. This approach represented one of the central themes of the mobility, as Zavod Burja also focuses on developing high-quality adult education programmes based on inclusion, intercultural dialogue and active citizenship.

Every year, the organisation delivers more than 200 workshops covering a wide range of activities. Among the most popular are creative handicraft workshops, traditional gastronomy workshops featuring the famous Makarska makaruni and the local Makarana cake, choir singing, digital literacy workshops focusing on the prevention of online fraud, and educational activities dedicated to the prevention and early detection of dementia.

The mobility programme was implemented through the job shadowing methodology, providing participants with direct insight into the host organisation’s daily work, organisational processes, educational approaches and operational practices. This learning method is based on experiential learning, reflection, professional dialogue and the continuous comparison of different working methods. Both participants observed activities, took part in professional discussions and, together with the host staff, analysed the strengths of different educational approaches and their potential application within the Slovenian context.

A special emphasis of the mobility was placed on the inclusion of adults and older people in lifelong learning processes. In a rapidly changing society, adult education remains one of the key factors supporting social inclusion, personal development and active participation in community life. The host organisation successfully combines education, volunteering, cultural activities and intergenerational cooperation, creating an encouraging environment where older adults are not merely participants but active co-creators of educational programmes. This participatory approach represents an important methodological inspiration for the further development of Zavod Burja’s educational activities.

During the professional meetings, various methods of involving adults in cultural activities were presented, with particular attention given to creating safe, supportive and inclusive learning environments adapted to the needs of diverse participants. Discussions focused on the importance of individualised approaches, peer learning, group work and the use of cultural heritage as an effective educational tool for strengthening identity, a sense of belonging and social cohesion. Participants explored numerous examples of how local traditions can become the foundation for innovative educational programmes that encourage creativity, cooperation and active citizenship.

The second day of the mobility was dedicated to traditional handicrafts and cultural heritage. By observing creative workshops, participants learned how traditional manual skills are transferred from one generation to another and how they can be successfully integrated into modern non-formal adult education programmes. Handicrafts were presented not only as a means of preserving tradition but also as an effective pedagogical approach that fosters creativity, cooperation, patience, fine motor skills and stronger social connections among participants.

An important part of the programme also focused on exploring the cultural heritage of Makarska and its integration into sustainable cultural tourism. Field visits showcasing examples of good practice demonstrated how local history, architecture, traditional knowledge and cultural content can become valuable assets for local development. Particular attention was given to linking cultural heritage with adult education programmes, as such initiatives contribute to greater appreciation of local identity, intercultural understanding and the sustainable development of communities.

The mobility also opened valuable discussions on integrating sustainability principles into the work of civil society organisations. The hosts presented examples of using natural materials in traditional handicrafts, responsible resource management and organising cultural events with a reduced environmental impact. These practices make an important contribution to achieving the green priorities of the Erasmus+ Programme, which Zavod Burja systematically incorporates into its own projects and educational activities.

Special attention was also devoted to digital competences. Participants became familiar with various digital tools for promoting cultural heritage, communicating with different target groups and presenting the activities of civil society organisations. The discussions highlighted that digitalisation is important not only for increasing organisational visibility but also as a means of providing more accessible and inclusive adult education and strengthening international cooperation among partner organisations.

Another important outcome of the mobility was the strengthening of intercultural dialogue. Direct cooperation with an organisation from another country provides a deeper understanding of different social, cultural and organisational environments while creating opportunities for exchanging experiences, critical reflection and the development of new ideas. Such mobilities contribute to greater organisational openness, promote international networking and support the development of innovative approaches that individual organisations would find difficult to achieve independently.

The final stage of the mobility was dedicated to a joint evaluation and planning future cooperation. The partners identified numerous common areas of interest, particularly in cultural heritage, adult education, traditional handicrafts, intergenerational cooperation and active ageing. The first steps were agreed for the preparation of new Erasmus+ projects and other international initiatives connecting organisations from Slovenia and Croatia.

The mobility once again confirmed that international cooperation is a valuable source of professional development, organisational improvement and innovation in adult education. The knowledge, methods and experience gained during the mobility will be incorporated into the future activities of Zavod Burja, particularly in the fields of non-formal adult education, cultural heritage preservation, participatory learning methodologies and the creation of inclusive learning environments. The mobility further strengthened the professional, pedagogical, intercultural, digital and organisational competences of the participants and reinforced the belief that cooperation, active participation and respect for cultural diversity are fundamental pillars of quality adult education and the sustainable development of local communities.