FLAGSHIP PROGRAMMES
National Network
Croatia
Address
Uspon VLAHE BUKOVCA 2Country
City
RIJEKAProvince
Primorsko-goranskaStreet address 2
Mošćenice 76 bMobile Phone
+385918852422Telephone
0918852422E-Mail (2)
zaccaria1m@gmail.comWebsite
Click HereYear of Establishment
2019Contact Person1
Mario Neverin ZaccariaJob Title 1
PresidentContact Person 2
Dunja LariseJob Title 2
DirectorOrganisation Type
Non-Governmental OrganizationFields of Activity
Environment/Sustainable development, Heritage, Human rights, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, International/Cultural relations, Research, Youth and educationGeneral Information
The Brsečki česan is a community-based cultural association from the village of Brseč on the eastern coast of the Istrian peninsula in Croatia. Its main goal is to preserve and promote the local cultural heritage, traditions, and identity of the Brseč area. The association organizes events such as traditional festivals, music performances, folklore presentations, and culinary showcases that highlight authentic regional dishes and customs.
Brsečki česan plays an important role in maintaining local traditions, dialects, and historical awareness, especially among younger generations. It encourages participation from both residents and visitors, helping to strengthen community ties and support cultural tourism in the region. The association also collaborates with other organizations and local authorities on cultural and community initiatives.
In addition to cultural programming, the association is actively involved in restoring traditional dry stone walls, an important element of the local landscape and heritage. It also works on planting and preserving the indigenous Brseč garlic, helping to protect local agricultural traditions.
The association operates without employees, relying entirely on volunteers and community support. In 2025, it reported an income of approximately €18,000, which is used to fund its activities and projects.
Mission and Objectives
The Brsečki česan is driven by a mission to revitalise the rural area of Brseč through the preservation of its traditional agriculture, cultural heritage, and natural landscape. A key objective of the association is the protection and cultivation of the indigenous Brseč garlic, seen as a valuable local resource that can stimulate economic and social renewal.
Beyond agriculture, the association aims to encourage people—especially younger generations—to return to working the land and to strengthen a sustainable, self-sufficient community. It promotes ecological farming, education, and cooperation among local producers while supporting small-scale entrepreneurship.
Another important objective is the preservation of traditional elements such as dry stone walls and rural landscapes, which have both cultural and tourism value.
Overall, the association seeks to combat depopulation, protect heritage, and create long-term sustainable development in the Brseč region.
Main Projects / Activities
The main project of the Brsečki česan is the Etnološki park Anton Plašimuha, a unique initiative focused on restoring traditional landscapes, agriculture, and rural life in the Brseč–Liburnia region.
The park covers an area of around 6,000 square meters and represents a living example of sustainable development and cultural heritage preservation. It is named after an original local builder from the past and is being gradually restored through the work of volunteers and association members.
The project includes clearing abandoned terraces, rebuilding dry stone walls, and reintroducing traditional agricultural practices. Within the park, indigenous crops such as Brseč garlic are cultivated, and there are efforts to reintroduce autochthonous animals that help maintain the landscape naturally.
Etnopark Anton Plašimuha also serves as an educational and community space, where workshops—especially on dry stone construction—are regularly organized for the public. Overall, the project combines heritage preservation, sustainable agriculture, and community engagement.
How can you contribute to the Network in your country?
The Brsečki česan could contribute meaningfully to the Anna Lindh Foundation by promoting grassroots intercultural dialogue through heritage, sustainability, and community engagement. Its work in preserving traditional practices—such as dry stone wall restoration and the cultivation of indigenous Brseč garlic—offers a strong example of how local identity can be a bridge for wider cultural exchange.
Through initiatives like the Etnopark Anton Plašimuha, the association can host workshops, volunteer programs, and educational activities that bring together participants from different Mediterranean countries. These activities encourage knowledge-sharing in areas such as ecological agriculture, heritage conservation, and rural development.
Brsečki česan could also contribute by sharing best practices in community-led revitalization and combating rural depopulation. By connecting its local experience with international partners, it would help strengthen mutual understanding, cultural diversity, and sustainable development across the Euro-Mediterranean region.
Why do you want to join the ALF Network?
The Brsečki česan seeks to join the Anna Lindh Foundation network to expand its local mission into a broader Euro-Mediterranean context. While the association is deeply rooted in preserving the heritage of Brseč—through activities like restoring dry stone walls, cultivating indigenous garlic, and developing the Etnopark Anton Plašimuha—it recognizes that many of these challenges are shared across Mediterranean communities.
By joining the ALF network, Brsečki česan aims to connect with like-minded organizations, exchange knowledge, and learn new approaches to sustainable rural development, cultural preservation, and community engagement. The network would provide opportunities for international collaboration, mobility projects, and intercultural dialogue, allowing the association to both contribute its experience and gain new perspectives.
Ultimately, joining ALF would strengthen its capacity to promote cultural diversity, support youth involvement, and position Brseč as a small but active participant in wider Mediterranean cooperation and understanding.