Project duration: 03/2026 – 04/2027

Status: AWARDED

 

The Challenge

Zlarin faces significant seasonal pressure on water resources. With 290 permanent residents swelling to over 2,000 during summer, there is strain on the existing water infrastructure. The island’s historic water systems – wells, dry-stone water collection points, cisterns, and ponds – have been neglected for decades, leaving the community vulnerable to water scarcity during peak seasons. The loss of traditional water management knowledge and abandonment of historical infrastructure represents both an environmental and cultural challenge. The project addresses these pressures by revitalising water systems and creating sustainable planning tools for the island’s future.

 

The Solution

Water is the thread connecting all project activities. The project includes restoring the historic space around the well and cleaning the 14-meter-deep well in front of the oil mill in Klapavica. The plan is to do so through community events, with architects designing and expert restorers preserving the structure. Simultaneously, they will map Zlarin’s entire water heritage through a GIS foundation – documenting wells, dry-stone water collection points, dry-stone structures, cisterns, and ponds. An artistic exhibition on water resources completes the narrative. Together, these interconnected activities reveal how water shaped the island’s past and guide its sustainable future, returning this resource to the center of community life.

 

Project Deliverables

• Restoration of the public space and historic well
• GIS database foundation development
• Artistic exhibition and project dissemination event on water resources

 

Insight into the Organisation

Founded in 2010 by young activists from Zlarin, Tatavaka Association dedicates itself to promoting island sustainability, circular economy practices, and environmental conservation. The organisation has received multiple awards for its innovative efforts, including making Zlarin the first Croatian island to eliminate single-use plastic. Tatavaka works closely with local and national partners, delivering educational programs on climate change, resource management, and sustainable living throughout Croatia. Its broad network and commitment to community-driven change make Tatavaka a leader in advancing ecological resilience and stewardship on Zlarin and beyond.