GREENCO service-learning event - Baranja, Croatia

The third service-learning event was organized by NGO Odraz, Construction technical school and University of Zagreb Faculty of civil engineering with the aim of establishing connection between VET, master and PhD students, forming learning and working environment, developing their soft skills of teamwork, mentoring, preparing and presenting their work in front of audience.

The event took place in Baranja, Croatia, famous for rural surroundings and traditional building environment made from local materials. During three-day event (form 03.04.2025. – 05.04.2025.) students had participated in (1) soft skills workshop, (2) practical whole-day workshop on earth-based building materials and historic renovation and (3) study visits to the local good-practice examples.

1.      Project partner Odraz held interactive workshop for strengthening 'soft' skills – aiming at communication skills and teamwork; and later on strengthening entrepreneurial and innovative skills through working on specific topics in teams.

2.      The practical workshop was organized thanks to local NGO Fanast, known for GlinArt festival, which secured the expert leadership and knowledge transfer from the master builders specialised in earth-based materials.

All three educational levels worked in teams on the following working stations:

a)      About soil materials and testing methods for construction

b)      Earthen plasters

c)      Traditional earth-based (natural clay and straw) bricks making

d)      Winch making

3.      As an example of good practice, students visited local traditional earth-based buildings, les, surduk and gator.

Overall experience gave students valuable new knowledge on themselves, their approach to teamwork while also new skills based on traditional knowledge on building methods and earth-based materials enhanced with new scientific approach.