Ranka

My name is Ranka Kojčinović, I live in Vukovar (Croatia).
I am graduate student of Croatian Language and Literature – teaching study.
My field of interest is mostly volunteering and working with young poeople. I am also a trainer of Planning game „Local government“ (city council) and ther I also work with young people, educating them and using creative methods so participants learn the basics of local government as well as the rules and flow of the game. The variety of interactive methods enthusiastic participants and they really enjoy in this different kind of education.
I am very active in my community and I like working and making my city better place to live.
Also, photography is my love from younger days but I still like to take some nice pictures.

My organisation European House Vukovar is place where I started my volunteering career and today I’m working there on project of networking young people „Network of young people in the community“.

The mission of the European House Vukovar (EHVU) initiating and supporting socio-economic development of the VSC in order to consolidate peace and improving the welfare of its citizens and to an equal and effective cooperation with other member states.
Some of our activities:
1. Learning and training in overcoming the traumas of war and the promotion of health, in particular the strengthening of confidence (the development of individual consciousness)
Includes acitivities such as:
a) Workshops on self-health
b) Workshops for self-development
c) Workshops “Food for health“
d) Workshops for “third age” persons

2. Informing citizens about current developments in science, culture and politics, in order to update their worldview and to overcome existing stereotypes (the development of a collective consciousness)
Includes activities such as:
a) Lectures at the forum EHVU
b) Thematic Conference
c) Round tables
d) Distribution of information and educational materials of the EU Delegation to the Republic of Croatia
e) Printing and distribution of brochures on topics of lectures
f) Promoting EU and EHVU in public places in the city.

3. Creating opportunities for contacts between citizens (overcoming distance)
Includes activities such as:
a) Workshops for citizens
b) Cooperation with Religious Communities
c) Banquets with the offer bio-vegetarian dishes, after a lecture on the panel EHVU.
d) Meetings of citizens within the promotional work as EHVU
e) Cross-border contacts: Cooperation with foreign institutions

4. Working with young people (encouraging creativity and youth initiatives and raising awareness of their responsibility for the future of the community)
Includes activities such as:

• Individual work with children (“assistance to children who have difficulties in learning”)
• Youth exchanges
• Camps for Youth (domestic, international)
• Workshops on theme such as: non-formal education, tolerance, dialog, stereotypes, activism, networking, education about project management, volunteering
• study visits, etc.

EHVU Cooperation / partnership with foreign institutions:
• ZAWIW- University Ulm/Germany
• Campus 15 – Jugend wagt den Frieden from Lohmar/Germany
• Europa Zentrum Baden Württemberg/Germany
• Salzburger Bildungswerk from Salzburg/Austria
• Wir helfen Menschen from Bamberg/Germany

EHVU membership:
1. EUNET – umbrella institution of European houses, Bonn / Germany
2. DANET – network of Danube countries, Ulm/Germanny
3. PHILIA – Association of Multiethnic Cities of Souteast Europe, Bratislava/Slovakia
4. Forum of NGOs of Slavonia and Baranja, Osijek/Croatia
5. The Balkan Ecovillage Network, Latinovac/Croatia

EHVU so far has interests and plans to work and improve the quality of life of citizens of Vukovar, in particular marginalized groups of citizens (children, youth, seniors, persons with disabilities and others.) EHVU, in the community, but also outside RH is recognized as a European organization that seeks to establish good cooperation, partnership and networking for community welfare. This is intended to exchange information, knowledge and resources, and in particular the strengthening of social capital.