Winter 2026 Newsletter

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We hope this season is bringing you all you wished for. ✨

Spring is slowly but surely approaching the Dalmatian islands, yet we still find ourselves in a period of rest and regeneration. 

Behind the scenes, we’ve been organising our very first fundraising event, which will take place next week in Zagreb. It will be an opportunity for us to present our work to new and existing donors, alongside some very special guests.

Thank you for helping us reach this important milestone in our journey. Here’s to many more!

We are proud to have awarded three new community grants supporting action on water, food, and plastic pollution across the Dalmatian islands. Each project shows how local organisations are leading change for their own islands.

Children of Šipan for a Plastic-Free Island 

Run by Šipan Academy, this initiative empowers local children and youth as ambassadors for a plastic-free island. Through creative workshops, outdoor learning, and community action, the project mobilises families and businesses to reduce plastic waste and protect coastal habitats.

Eating our Way out of Crisis 

🐟 On the island of Hvar, the Pharos Institute leads this innovative project exploring how invasive species can become valuable food resources. Combining science, mapping, and local gastronomy, it demonstrates how sustainable eating can help restore ecosystems and strengthen island livelihoods.

Water Leads 

Led by the Tatavaka Association, this project puts island water at the heart of community life. 💧

On Zlarin, residents, students, and local authorities will work together to map water sources, understand water risks, and design nature-based solutions to ensure a climate-resilient future.

We also got to spend some time on Zlarin back in November, celebrating the NGO’s 15th birthday. Check out this reel to feel the community vibe we experienced!

Small Island Repairs had its festival on January 16th as an official end of the project. Children from Vanđela Božitković and Jelsa kindergartens joined the celebration, with a special moment dedicated to awarding the Little Masters for their creativity and teamwork.

With the guidance of Šalturice, students from Hvar Elementary School turned old T-shirts into tote bags. In a relaxed atmosphere, they created pieces they were proud of, discovering how items we might throw away can find new life and purpose when reused creatively.

Roots of Resilience 

🌱 December 20: “Seed – Light of the World”  children’s workshop had students from Silba and their friends creating handmade paper infused with wildflower seeds, crafting Christmas tree ornaments, and planting Christmas wheat.

🌱 January 24: The first part of the interactive workshop “The Garden and Olive Grove in Agroecological Cultivation – How We Do It on Silba” focused on water and the role of organic matter in the soil, mulching, and drywall coordination.

Heritage for the Future 

On December 16, 2025, olive growers in Vela Luka were invited to join the free educational workshop on economic valorisation and GIS solutions.

🫒 The workshops are designed for olive growers who wish to strengthen their businesses by better understanding the economic potential of native olive varieties and learning how to use GIS tools for planning and managing their groves. 🫒

In recent weeks, major Croatian national media have widely covered our work. In addition to the published articles, our ED, Inga, gave statements to Media Servis and HRT radio stations. We’re thankful for this chance to speak to a larger audience about the importance of preserving the Dalmatian islands. 💚

DIEF wouldn’t exist without its supporters. 

We appreciate your attention, care, and concern for the places we love. In protecting them, we are protecting the future of us all.

Thank you,

The DIEF Team

Dalmatian Islands Environment Foundation is part of Conservation Collective: a global network of 20+ local Foundations funding impactful grassroots work to protect the environment, restore nature and build climate resilience.

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