ISTRA INSPIRIT - THE MOST INSPIRING INTERNSHIP

AUTORICA: Aleksandra Misztalska

I should probably start with the statement that it is the most innovative and ambitious project I have ever seen. Everyone knows the history or studied it in school, but in everyday life it barely makes any sense to remember some events. However, what this project does, is that it takes the tales, histories about Istrian cities, their history and traditions and show it to the audience as a form of a play and performance. To me that keeps the whole experience pretty up-to-date and remind people of the history, where they come from, what is the origin of a town’s name. Istra Inspirit got many prizes and no surprise to it.

Istra Inspirit was listed in the hundred best tourism stories in the world in the renowned publication issued by the World Tourism Organization.

Istra Inspirit shows the history of Istrian peninsula through modern eyes, exploring legends and myths about istra’s towns. Thanks to the innovativeness of this project many stakeholders want to participate in the projects and support it. They are all about originality and sustainability. The public is truly interested as the culture and history should not only exist in the museums, but also be a part of a local’s life. And everyone who has even once been to Croatia knows that local people make the experience so much better and worthy! Through storytelling they share the purpose of sustainable tourism, showing how to be an extraordinary organization who can promote the region like nothing else and make it appealing for tourists, who would not only want to visit a place, but understand the history and why certain parts of Croatia look as wonderful as they do and what is the secret behind its beauty.

(Source: istrainspirit.hr)

They want to inspire local farmers, tourism attractions and workers to participate in creating a better future for Istria! And that region is worth a lot, has limitless opportunities.

While working with them, my task was to look for European funding opportunities for them, and prepare project documentation. I also had some calls with people from the organization regarding the core of their work, their situation and situation with Croatian culture in general. I set up a profile on some European Cultural Financial Programs. This internship gave me an opportunity to learn more about the EU funds for cutlural and creative sector as well as about the situation in the culture sector at the regional, national and EU level. My work was based on learning how to prepare a project, write forms, explain goals and asking questions about organization’s core. And it helped me a lot, it developed my skills and maybe, in the future, some people will reply with a positive feedback, as some said that they may do it once they will launch their foundation programs.

(Source: istrainspirit.hr)

For more information, you can always read more through this link: https://www.istrainspirit.hr/en/