Picture this: you’re sitting at home, staring at an opportunity, thinking: Should I go for it? Is this a crazy idea or the start of something amazing? If only we had a crystal ball back then! Knowing what we know now, we wouldn’t have wasted a second doubting ourselves. We would’ve jumped in headfirst.

And that’s exactly what Sanja and I did.

We took a leap and joined an incredible journey into sustainability and nature conservation, hopping on a bus that carried us straight into an unforgettable adventure. Four months later, we can confidently say that joining the ESC project with Sunce has been one of the best decisions we’ve ever made.

This project has opened our eyes to how the city of Split is nurturing its environment and how we can be part of it. We’ve been involved in so many cool workshops, like Šišika, where we learned how to sew and breathe new life into old clothes (who knew upcycling could be this fun?). We’ve also helped prepare for the Sustainability Fest, and took part in the Fashion Swap Fair, which spreads the message: swap it, don’t shop it!

But that’s just a glimpse of what we do and honestly, I’m already feeling the impact. It’s not just about learning, it’s about living sustainably, with purpose and joy.

Of course, we’d be lying if we said we weren’t soaking up every second of the Adriatic magic too. The sea, the sun, and the beach? Absolute bliss. And it’s even more special knowing how important it is to protect this paradise.

One of the best parts? The people. Locals who welcomed us like old friends, volunteers from across Europe with amazing stories to share, and, of course, our wild and wonderful roommate life that made us a tight little crew.

Split has wrapped us in its warm “pomalo” vibe: easygoing days, music-filled nights, and spontaneous laughter around every corner. This isn’t just a project; it’s a full-on experience, and we’re loving every second of it.

Martina Cekova & Sanja Mirceva
our long-term ESC volunteers in Split, Croatia

Project partner: Association for Nature, Environment and Sustainable Development Sunce