ESC: GREEN FINGERS - individual volunteering 2026/2027

We empower youth and children to discover their potential, grow in a supportive environment, and contribute to a sustainable future.
O.A.ZA. – Sustainable Alternative to Community is a nonprofit organization based in Zagreb, founded in 2012 with the aim of promoting sustainable development among children and youth, and inspiring them to take an active role in shaping their communities according to the principles of sustainability.
Why this name?
Sustainable – because we believe that sustainable development is the most responsible and secure path toward the future.
Alternative – because through our projects and initiatives we open space for new ideas and practices that are not yet widespread in society.
Community – because we aim to empower the community as a whole and inspire new generations to actively contribute to its sustainable growth.
Our work is structured through three main departments:
1) Ecology – connecting children and youth with nature.
2) Personal Development – building personal and social skills for a sustainable future.
3) Volunteering – enabling international volunteering experiences across the EU.
At the heart of all our activities is the promotion of sustainable development.
Through the Ecology Department, we bring children and young people closer to nature, teaching them responsible care for the environment and resources while encouraging habits that support the wellbeing of both the community and the planet.
The Personal Development Department focuses on developing the personal, social, and entrepreneurial competencies needed for a sustainable future, nurturing values that promote active citizenship and conscious leadership.
Our Volunteering Department connects local and international communities through youth volunteer mobilities, building bridges of cooperation, solidarity, and shared experience.
VISION: Creating role models for a sustainable society.
MISSION: Encouraging a holistic development of youth as architects of the future.
VALUES: Togetherness, Harmony, Responsibility, Purpose-driven Action
Our target groups:
- Children (7–14 years)
- Youth (15–30 years)
- Youth workers (18+)
- Educators and school staff (18+)
We work with our target groups through participatory methods that encourage long-term development and active engagement. Our programs are based on non-formal education and lifelong learning, creating an environment where learning extends beyond formal institutions and becomes a continuous process of personal and social growth.
A special emphasis is placed on experiential learning, where participants gain knowledge and skills through hands-on activities, projects, and volunteering, while also shaping their values and attitudes. Our approach to competence development is holistic, integrating knowledge, practical skills, and values that foster responsibility, solidarity, and sustainability.
All our programs are grounded in inclusivity, ensuring participation across diverse age groups, cultures, and social backgrounds, with particular attention to vulnerable groups. We also promote intergenerational learning, believing that the exchange of knowledge and experience between generations strengthens the social fabric and enriches community life.
Through all these efforts, O.A.ZA. fosters critical thinking, cooperation, and creativity. We see every participant not as a passive receiver of knowledge, but as an active co-creator of the learning process, empowered to contribute meaningfully to their community and to the world.