About Us
OUR VISION
Dalmatian Islands Environment Foundation (DIEF) protects and enhances the natural beauty, biodiversity and ecosystems of the Dalmatian islands by:
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Raising funds from people and businesses with strong connections to Dalmatia, to support the best local initiatives working to sustain the diverse natural assets of the islands.
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Supporting projects that bring both economic and social benefits to local communities, and which can be scaled up and replicated across the region.
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Building a strong network of people, united in boosting the work of local environmental champions.
Our People
A Steering Committee (SC), composed of founding and actively involved donors, directs the strategy. They analyse and approve grants and use their personal networks to broaden the base of supporters. The SC has a wide array of backgrounds and interests, but all share a passion for protecting and restoring Dalmatia’s outstanding natural beauty and fragile environment.
Our Executive Director oversees the day-to-day management and coordination work on the ground, supported by scientific and technical advisors and the SC.
LOCAL TEAM
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Inga Jurin
Executive Director
Inga, a dedicated environmental enthusiast coming from Zadar, finds her roots deeply embedded in the Dalmatia region. Drawing upon her background in both Culture and tourism as well as Entrepreneurship in tourism, Inga developed her skills as a project manager in various NGOs, driving impactful initiatives centered around social entrepreneurship and sustainability. Hailing from a lineage rooted in the islands of Silba and Ugljan, her ancestral connection further fuels her passion for preserving the region’s pristine ecosystems.
Now, leading the charge at the Dalmatian Islands Environment Foundation (DIEF), Inga is primed to spearhead practical initiatives in preserving the islands’ delicate ecosystems. With her hands-on approach and steadfast dedication, she aims to cultivate a genuine sense of environmental stewardship among locals and drive meaningful progress towards a sustainable future for the community and its natural surroundings.
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Marko Pećarević
Head of Advisory Board
Marko is the Head of Advisory Board. He has for the last for the last 20 years worked in environmental conservation, with experience in the south east Europe, Switzerland, the EU, Caribbean and the US in design and implementation of conservation projects. His experience includes working from a donor perspective, as a project grantee, as a local implementing organization, and as a consultant, as well as of working in public, private, and non-governmental organizations.
Through strong family ties to the Dalmatian islands, as well as professional experience, Marko is aware of the complexity of the relations between people and nature in this area, mostly in trying to meet the demands coming from tourism and fishing industries with those that deal with nature protection. He is a believer that only through community involvement, education and strong partnerships can one expect to achieve lasting results.
Marko is a biologist, with a MA in Conservation Biology, and advocate that best fit takes precedence over best practice.
