The sixteenth national campaign Croatia Volunteers, held under the slogan "The Power that Connects", has once again confirmed the invaluable importance of volunteer engagement in building more resilient, solidary and sustainable communities. This year's event was particularly significant as it took place as part of the global celebration of the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026).

The success of the campaign is the result of a strong partnership and coordination between key organisations that are also national focal points for IVY 2026. As the main organiser, Croatian Volunteer Development Center led the development and provided support for strengthening resources to affirm volunteering, promoting volunteer values throughout the country. As a key partner of the campaign, the Croatian Red Cross, through its network of 132 Red Cross societies, made an immense contribution to humanitarian goals. City and municipal Red Cross societies carried out numerous actions, ranging from distributing humanitarian aid and checking blood pressure to first aid education and caring for blood donors. Across Croatia, regional and local volunteer centers coordinated activities on the ground, connecting people and organisations in joint action for the common good.

This year, volunteering in Croatia reached impressive proportions:
• 3,654 volunteers selflessly gave their time.
• A total of 23,335 volunteer hours were counted.
• 149 volunteer organisers participated in the campaign.
• 198 volunteer activities were conducted in 69 cities and municipalities across the country.

From arranging school gardens and cleaning the seabed to intergenerational socialising and digital support for the elderly, volunteers showed that every contribution matters. Volunteering is a reminder that changes occur when we create ideas and activities together as a community.

Detailed report is available in Croatian (link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qKRLf36FFB7AnzHXxGLMJ_zlvd8676GD/view).

Video is available on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otUq2LBG0lo