Founded by parents, in 2011
- year founded
- 2011year founded
- members
- 370+members
- volunteers
- 280+volunteers
- projects completed
- 130+projects completed
- employees
- 50+employees
- locations
- 3locations
Every family has its own story — welcome to ours
The Association Vukovar Butterflies was founded in 2011 at the initiative of a group of parents of children with disabilities — to provide support to these families, develop the potential of these children and ensure their equal inclusion in all aspects of life.
At that time, in Vukovar-Srijem County, children with disabilities did not have access to adequate care and treatment, nor could they attend regular kindergartens and schools — and they did not have access to teaching assistants.
Out of that gap grew a voluntary, non-governmental and non-profit association of children with disabilities, their parents, family members, guardians and other citizens, with social and humanitarian aims.
Today we are an authorised provider of social services and part of the Network of Associations Providing Social Services, with a Contract on the Provision of Social Services in force since 1 January 2017.
The Association has received
- 2019State Award for humanitarian work
- 2020Public recognition — plaque of the City of Vukovar for promoting the rights of children with disabilities
- 2020Croatian Women’s Network — Influential Croatian Woman in the category of philanthropy, Viktorija Matin
- 2021State Award for the promotion of children’s rights
- 2023Pride of Croatia Award — Viktorija Matin
- 2023European Parliament award — European Citizen’s Prize
- 2024Plaque of the City of Ilok for exceptional achievements in working with children with disabilities in the Ilok area
- 2025Award of Vukovar-Srijem County for an exceptional contribution to the care of children with disabilities and for humanitarian work
- 2025Top 10 employees — Mali svjetionik (Little Lighthouse), Andreja Mandić
Values and operating principles
The Association Vukovar Butterflies is the only organisation in Vukovar-Srijem County that bases its work on improving medical and social care for children with disabilities, and accordingly plans, organises and implements activities.
As such, it has a strong influence on raising the awareness of the local community regarding the importance of including children with disabilities in all aspects of social and public life. By incorporating highly educated professionals into its work, the Association emphasises the importance of continuous rehabilitation and of creating the most favourable environment for children.
The recognisability of the quality of our work can be seen through the number of children involved, the positive results of organised therapies and the support of the City of Vukovar and Vukovar-Srijem County, the competent ministries, numerous donors, supporters and volunteers — as well as through the number of national and EU projects obtained.
Vision
Our vision is to create a society that provides equal opportunities and social inclusion for children with disabilities.
Mission
To ensure equal opportunities for a quality life and to meet the healthcare, social, educational and cultural needs of children with disabilities. Through our actions, we aim to promote human rights and contribute to the development of civil society.
Guiding principle
Guiding principle
Respect all rights, and we will change the world!
Goals
The Association aims to enhance the quality of life and the medical and social care of children with disabilities and their families. The Association promotes the rights of children with disabilities through the following objectives:
- Continuous medical and habilitative care
- Promotion of the principle of equal opportunities
- Non-discrimination
- Fostering and encouraging an inclusive culture in society
- Full participation in society to the best of one’s abilities
- Embracing disability as an integral part of human diversity
- Respecting the rights of parents and their circumstances
- Providing education and socialisation for children with disabilities
Activities
The Association is a provider of continuous habilitation care services. For this purpose, it engages experts in relevant fields and encourages their education.
- Establishing and maintaining cooperation with parents of children with disabilities, professionals, institutions and associations in Croatia and abroad.
- Informing the membership and the public about the problems of children with disabilities and their families.
- Encouraging the development of the necessary facilities — kindergartens, educational and work institutions with adapted programmes, integration and healthcare institutions.
- Organising programmes for children in cooperation with experts — cultural and sports activities, playgroups and workshops.
- Organising professional meetings, consultations and seminars and encouraging the education of people who work with children with disabilities.
- Cooperating with the local community and the Polytechnic of Vukovar in organising volunteering.
- Publishing in line with the Association’s goals, and collecting and distributing humanitarian aid.