Jobshadowing in Croatia

Eleri, youth leader and staff member from Seiklejate Vennaskond, participated in a job shadowing mobility in Croatia 17.01 - 03.02.2023. The mobility was hosted by LUMEN Ludbreška Udruga Mladih Entuzijasta and the sending organization was Seiklejate Vennaskond. Eleri also took part in the short staff training course where she learned new methods on how to approach anti-discrimination topics with youth and youth workers

The objective of that job shadowing was getting to know the reality of awareness of human rights and prejudices in rural areas. Estonian job shadow has mostly focused on cities or urban areas in her previous work, therefore it was a great learning experience.

On the first days of the mobility to understand better how the local community was working Eleri was visiting Ludbreško Sunce, an association for children and youth with special needs, together with a European Solidarity Corps volunteer who LUMEN was hosting. Meanwhile also the plan for next activities was set.

Eleri was mentored by Igor who was doing his job shadow mobility in Spain and also coordinated Saffet’s work during his stay. Her workshops included work with target groups from the local community in Ludbreg. LUMEN has a group of their active members who were really welcoming and helpful during the stay. With reflection after the activities feedback was received how to implement activities. Similar work was taking place with NGO FUNK which is located in Koprivnica with young members between 18-30. Organizations have youth centers and regular activities with young people. Facilitating several workshops with their staff members took place.

Experience that Eleri takes with her back home was a workshop in Ludbreg High School. Eleri understood that the approach she has used in her previous work is not working exactly as it was in youth groups who have grown up in the city environment. In rural areas where the anti-discrimination filter is not working as the impact from home is more dominant there are needs to make changes during the workshop to have needed learning experience for the youth group.

The experience was definately something different from all the rest she has done in her life and gave insights what are the wished goals to receive in the future and made her evaluate life outside of big cities even more.