By Aleksandra Podrebarac | President of organization
Community centre Prostor(i)ja: A Place to Meet, Create and Belong
Report for the period May 1 – August 31, 2026
Over the past four months, Prostor(i)ja has brought our community together through 111 activities involving a total of 3,277 participants. From opportunities to learn and receive support to moments of creativity, play and celebration, the program reflected the many interests and needs of the people who use our center.
Your support helps make these encounters possible. It gives people more than a place to gather—it helps create opportunities to share experiences, develop ideas and feel part of their community.
A summer celebration of art and community
One of the highlights of this reporting period was ArtiKA, a two-day art and entertainment festival organized by the Carpe Diem association as part of the city’s annual Zvjezdano ljeto (Starry Summer) celebration.
The festival brought together art and pottery workshops, exhibitions, concerts, literary evenings and quizzes. Alongside the program, the “hangout zone” offered space for socializing and play. With interactive activities for all ages, ArtiKA invited people to enjoy art, express themselves freely and spend time together.
Learning, support and everyday connections
Beyond the festival, Prostor(i)ja hosted a varied program of educational, recreational and support activities. Youth workers attended workshops and training sessions, and young people took part in educational and creative workshops, including sessions on human rights. Mental health support activities, expert lectures for different audiences, and education and support for people with disabilities were also part of the program.
Chess tournaments and darts training created further opportunities to meet and participate. Civil society organizations used the center for meetings, networking events and annual assemblies. Together, these activities helped strengthen connections and encourage people to take an active role in community life.
A shared space for many voices
Around 500 citizens of all ages take part each month in activities organized by 31 civil society organizations. Their work covers human rights, democracy, art and culture, volunteering, inclusion and active citizenship. This variety makes Prostor(i)ja a place where people can find different ways to learn, contribute and connect.
Among those using the center are the Carpe Diem Association, “Jak kao Jakov” Association, Pensioners’ Association, Karlovac Chess Club, “4 Rijeke” Darts Club, Karlovac Para-Taekwondo Club, and the Sub-branch of the Serb Cultural Society “Prosvjeta.”
The space also welcomes the Bruno Gröning Circle of Friends, Karlovac City Association for Technical Culture, “Frendofon” Association for Inclusion and Promoting the Quality of Life of Children and Youth with Disabilities, Karlovac Pride, Karlovac Developers Group, Rotary Club Karlovac, Croatian Youth Network, Karlovac County Association of Persons with Disabilities, and DrONe Association for Social Development and Non-formal Education.
Other users include organizations supporting children and young people with disabilities, youth and environmental initiatives, cultural associations, networks, volunteer groups, informal citizens’ groups and individual residents. More organizations are choosing Prostor(i)ja for their activities, reinforcing the need for a shared community space in our city.
Your contribution keeps this work going
Our financial resources remain limited, but our commitment is unchanged: to offer a welcoming and supportive place for learning, creativity, work and social connection. We believe people need both encouragement and opportunities to help shape the community they live in. Prostor(i)ja exists to provide that space.
Your donations help us keep the center open and available to those who need it. Every contribution, whatever its size, supports a place where people can participate, feel welcome and find encouragement to make a difference.
Thank you for helping make Prostor(i)ja a place that people can call their own.
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