Special, Just Like You!

Special, Just Like You! – 2

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

“Special, Just Like You! – 2” is a continuation of a successful inclusive initiative which, through therapeutic stories, encourages understanding, empathy and acceptance among children of different abilities. In this cycle, the project is further expanded with the topics of emotional literacy and hygiene habits, with the aim of developing a well-rounded personality in children.

The project is carried out through interactive workshops that include storytelling, reading, movement and artistic expression. Alongside the main activities with children, special attention is paid to educating parents and professionals, as well as to encouraging systematic inclusion in local communities.

PROJECT GOAL

The goal of the project is to:

develop empathy in children,
make typically developing children aware of the needs of their peers with disabilities,
empower children with disabilities through stories in which they are the main heroes,
encourage positive changes in perception of and behaviour towards diversity,
encourage healthy hygiene habits and emotional expression,
empower parents and professionals for inclusive work in education and the community.

IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD

1 June 2025 – 31 May 2026

TOTAL PROJECT VALUE

EUR 8,964.76

DONOR

The project is funded by the European Union through the Solidarity Projects of the European Solidarity Corps.

PROJECT PARTICIPANTS

At least 250 preschool and school-age children will take part in the project, including children with developmental disabilities, typically developing children, as well as children from foster families and families of lower socio-economic status. The activities will be carried out in cooperation with numerous educational and cultural institutions that have shown great interest in and willingness to take part in the project activities.

The following educational and cultural institutions will take part in the project: Blage Zadre Primary School from Vukovar, Ivica i Marica Kindergarten from Štitar, Vinkovci Town Library and Reading Room, Mate Lovrak Primary School from Županja, Ivan Goran Kovačić Primary School from Vinkovci, St Benedict Public Library and Reading Room from Nuštar, Vrtuljak Preschool from Nuštar, Vladimir Nazor Primary School from Komletinci, Vukovar I Kindergarten, Vukovar II Kindergarten and Zlatokosa Kindergarten from Borovo.

RESULTS

The project will result in the creation of deep bonds among children and in encouraging inclusiveness through shared storytelling, creative activities and emotional expression. Through therapeutic stories, children will have the opportunity to develop empathy, understanding and acceptance towards their peers with disabilities, and also to connect with each other in a safe and stimulating environment.

By extending the topic to emotions and hygiene, the project contributes to the development of emotional literacy and the adoption of healthy life habits. We will encourage children to express themselves, to understand their own and other people’s feelings and to take care of themselves and others, thus contributing to their overall development.

PROJECT MANAGER

Sara Dorić
📧 vu.leptirici@gmail.com📞 091 910 5880

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Welcome to the “Special, Just Like YOU!” project – an initiative that aims to encourage positive thinking and inclusiveness in our community. Inspired by the therapeutic power of stories, we want to shape attitudes towards children with disabilities and encourage cooperation among children with different profiles.

The project is based on an innovative approach of telling sensory stories in which the main hero is a child with disabilities. Our team is made up of 5 dedicated volunteers who believe in equality and in having a positive impact on future generations.

Through cooperation with kindergartens, schools, museums and libraries, the project will include 250 children with different profiles, from children with disabilities to typically developing children. Sensory storytelling workshops, especially when the main character is a child with disabilities, will have a direct impact on the children, enabling them to live the experience of the stories through all their senses, but also to become sensitive to children who have disabilities and to accept their friend as an equal.

In addition, the project will expand the knowledge and strengthen the capacities of professionals in educational and cultural institutions. We expect to cooperate with local professionals in order to inspire sensory storytelling and encourage inclusive activities. Our vision is to create a long-term inclusive environment that supports every child in developing their full potential. Join us in this story of change, understanding and building an inclusive future together.

PROJECT GOAL

The goal of the “Special, Just Like YOU!” project is to encourage positive thinking and inclusiveness in the community through innovative sensory storytelling in which the main hero is a child with disabilities. We focus on shaping attitudes towards children with disabilities and on encouraging cooperation among children with different profiles.

Through workshops that include 250 children and cooperation with educational institutions, we want to create an inclusive environment that encourages creativity, understanding and acceptance. In addition, the project aims to expand the knowledge and strengthen the capacities of professionals in order to encourage inclusive activities for all young members of the community.

RESULTS

The project will result in the creation of deep bonds and in encouraging inclusiveness in the community through storytelling, opening the door to understanding and empathy among children. We are broadening horizons and teaching typically developing children the importance of togetherness and cooperation, and tolerance, with the aim of inspiring love for and acceptance of their peers with disabilities.

In addition, the initiative will encourage a lasting love of reading and cultural activities. The project does not end with the children: we plan to change the perception of parents and professionals, encouraging them to recognise the immeasurable value and potential of every child, and to inspire professionals to include sensory stories in their work. Through inclusive programmes, we build connections among children and create inclusive environments, with the support of the community.

PROJECT BENEFICIARIES

The project will include 250 children who attend Crvenkapica Kindergarten from Ilok and Ivica i Marica Kindergarten from Štitar, visitors of the Vinkovci Town Museum, the Vukovar Town Museum – Borovo Naselje, and Blage Zadre Primary School from Vukovar, as well as users of the Vukovar Butterflies Association.

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD

1 January 2024 – 31 December 2024

TOTAL PROJECT VALUE

The total value of the project “Special, Just Like You!” is EUR 8,364.00

DONOR

The project is funded by the European Union through the Solidarity Projects of the European Solidarity Corps

CONTACT PERSON

Sara Dorić
Email: vu.leptirici@gmail.com

Sara Salak
Email: leptirici.poslovanje@gmail.comMobile: 0919105880

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

#posebnakaoiti – Together, let’s turn difficulties into opportunities!

With this project we want to point out the problems faced by parents of children with developmental disabilities, families of lower socio-economic status, large families, foster families and dysfunctional families.

Through research, focus groups and public debates, information will be gathered that supports and proves the problems, but also offers solutions, partnerships, social entrepreneurship models and the like. With the planned activities we will contribute to meeting the needs of users in Vukovar-Srijem and Osijek-Baranja counties more successfully and define priorities for the further development of services.

Furthermore, capacity-building training will be held for staff of educational groups and staff of the social welfare system, which will contribute to better-quality work with children with disabilities and their families, to recognising difficulties, and to skills for how to react in particular situations and how to approach a child.

Creating a guide that we will make available in various institutions and organisations that work with children at risk. It will point to concrete solutions and advice, and also to us, who want to provide that support.

Social media marketing is today an almost indispensable part of the communication strategy of successful projects. It will enable a fast flow of information and news, and through numerous interesting posts we will encourage citizens to engage and comment, and prompt them to reflect on the importance of accepting diversity, with the aim of all of us together turning difficulties into opportunities. All campaign activities will be promoted through social networks and the website, and of course through the media.

The activity will ensure greater visibility of our work in the community.

Project goal

Proposing changes to public policies and amendments to regulations aimed at improving the rights of children with disabilities, persons with disabilities and socially excluded groups, and the financing of social services in the community

Strengthening the capacities of staff of educational institutions and staff of the social welfare system

Raising public awareness and encouraging intercultural dialogue through a media campaign.

Activities

Research on the availability, advantages, shortcomings and forms of social services in Eastern Croatia, and programme funding models – analysis of the problem
Focus groups with representatives of local government and representatives of the competent authorities
Presentation of the conclusions of the research and of the focus groups held, with the help of the media and organisations
Drafting proposals for public policies and amendments to regulations – open letters addressed to
representatives and decision-makers from all parts of the Republic of Croatia
Capacity-building training for staff of educational institutions and staff of the social welfare system
Training for staff on public advocacy, social entrepreneurship, crowdfunding and social media marketing
Creating a guide to the rights of children with disabilities, with useful instructions and contacts
A media campaign that will ensure greater visibility of our work in the community and a better understanding of the issues we face

Project beneficiaries

The target groups and key stakeholders of the project, in addition to the citizens of the project area of Vukovar-Srijem and Osijek-Baranja counties, are also employees in the fields of social welfare and the education system. Through the media campaign, its public appearances and actions, they will be made aware of the needs of children with developmental disabilities and of the importance of active engagement for the good of the community.

Total project value

The project is supported with €12,985.81 of financial support from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants.

Project manager

Samuela Sambunjak Amanović

Implementation period

1 September 2021 to 31 May 2022, a total of 9 months

The project #posebnakaoiti – Together, let’s turn difficulties into opportunities! is supported with €12,985.81 of financial support from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants.

The printing of this publication was made possible by financial support from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants.