Proljetno-ljetni newsletter 2026.

01.06.26

Dear DIEF Friends and Supporters,

We hope this newsletter finds you well.

As spring turns into summer, we are happy to share our Foundation’s latest updates.

🌺 We’ve had a busy spring, starting with our first fundraising event, a new call for project proposals, and Conservation Collective’s annual Global Gathering that saw us connecting with our colleagues from around the world in rugged Scotland.

The rest of the season has us granting new projects, visiting our grantees, and listening to our communities’ needs, especially with the high season approaching the Dalmatian islands.

Here’s to keeping at it! 🌞

We were proud to host our first fundraising event at the Westin Hotel in Zagreb this March, bringing together supporters, partners, and friends who share our commitment to the Dalmatian Islands.

✨ The evening was a meaningful milestone for DIEF, with inspiring remarks from Ben Goldsmith, the founder of Conservation Collective, and Javed Patel, the UK ambassador in Croatia. Ivana Kordić represented the Tatavaka Association and spoke about projects we’ve supported on Zlarin.

Our SC Chairman, Vladimir Maoduš, and our ED, Inga Jurin, shared our vision and introduced our work in this short video.

In May, we joined the Global Gathering 2026 organised by Conservation Collective. We gathered with colleagues from sister foundations to share ideas, reflect on progress, and strengthen the connections that support our collective work. It was a valuable few days of learning and collaboration spent in the stunning Scottish Highlands.

🏆 The gathering was also a proud moment for DIEF, as we received the Collectives Award in the Reducing Pollution category for our Refill Hvar project. This recognition highlights the impact of the project and the dedication of the local partners behind it, as well as the practical difference that can be made through thoughtful, community-based action.

Our last call for project proposals ended on April 30th. We’ll soon be giving out grants to new projects, so be sure to follow us on social media!

🗎 To learn all about our project granting process, check out our new Smjernice za financiranje document.

Voda vodi

💧 On May 23rd, the Tatavaka Association gathered volunteers alongside Zlarin experts and cleaned the area around the well next to the community oil press. After the summer season, they will be able to fix the shaft, walls, and flooring.

Eating Our Way Out of Crisis

🔬 Bonj laboratory clean-up marked the first activities of this project! The Pharos Institute team is setting up the equipment they’ll use to map, catalog, and gene sequence invasive species surrounding Hvar.

Refill Hvar

Besides organising a clean-up action on March 19th in Vela Stiniva in Jelsa, Moj Škoj published a brand new guideline for visitors so they could learn all about tap water available on the island. The renters got a version of their own so they can share it with their guests upon check-in.

💧 In just 6 months, a single public fountain (at Soline Beach) provided over 10 m³ of drinking water, which equates to around 20,000 half-litre plastic bottles.

Baština za budućnost

🫒 The Korčula-based project’s webinar More Crop, Less Risk – Tools for Clever Olive Growing is now available on MIRO’s Youtube page.

Korijeni otpornosti

🌱 The Garden and Olive Grove in Agroecological Cultivation – How We Do It on Silba interactive workshops took place on March 7th and April 18th. The March workshop focused on mulching; the April edition discussed current garden activities with a seed exchange.

Djeca Šipana za otok bez plastike

The project started in mid-March with two workshops and educational games, helping the children realise just how much plastic is surrounding them. With this perspective, they started cleaning the paths and shores of their beloved island.

♻️ To engage the wider community, the teachers and parents joined Šipan school children. They arranged to visit Zlarin in June to learn first-hand how to live on a plastic-free island.

Conservation of Water Resources

The weekend of 6-8 March began with a Zlarin community gathering to learn about wild herbs growing alongside the drywall next to the pond. The team reached the clay layer, and the pond filled with water!

🧱 The next day, they restored the damaged drywall channels and strengthened the pond edges. Their goal is to create a living reminder of preserving water resources and biodiversity by centering heritage.

🌐 On April 21st, our Executive Director, Inga Jurin, introduced DIEF’s Areas of Interest during the Croatian Marine Protected Area Network’s online meeting. The recording is available through their channels.

🏊🏻‍♀️ We were proud to partner with UltraSwim 33.3 for their Hvar race held from 15-18 May. It brought together dozens of people from all over the world to swim in pristine waters surrounding the island. We’re always willing to join forces for such great causes!

We’re grateful for your continuing support for our work and your love of the Dalmatian islands.

Please share the word about our projects, mission, and energy with your network.

Wishing you a great summer,

🌊 Vaša Zaklada za zaštitu dalmatinskih otoka 🌊

Zaklada za okoliš dalmatinskih otoka dio je Conservation Collective-a: globalne mreže od preko 20 lokalnih zaklada koje financiraju uspješne inicijative za zaštitu okoliša, obnovu prirode i izgradnju otpornosti na klimatske promjene.

Pronađite Zakladu za zaštitu dalmatinskih otoka na društvenim mrežama ili posjetite našu web stranicu:

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