NGOs Open Days
In June 2024, we participated in the NGOs Open Days event organized by the Office for Cooperation with the NGOs of the Government of the Republic of Croatia. In our office space and the building’s courtyard, we prepared a rich and engaging program to present our mission and work to the public and all interested individuals, as well as to give them the opportunity to meet our clowns. Learning clown tricks, dressing up as clowns, and interviews with clowns were just some of the activities offered, much to the delight of all visitors.
Children in Schools for Children in Hospitals
Through the Children in Schools for Children in Hospitals project, we aim to involve children outside hospital settings in supporting their peers who are in hospitals, fostering the development of empathy from an early age. The project is carried out in collaboration with schools across Croatia and includes discussions between teachers and students about emotions in general and those arising during hospital visits or stays. The students then complete a creative task – drawing clowns. These drawings brighten hospitals across Croatia during the summer months, showing hospitalized children and their parents that their peers are thinking of them and wishing them a speedy recovery.
A new project / a special opening in 2024 ?
Oncology Ward for Adults
In 2024, we began visiting a new group of beneficiaries – adults undergoing treatment in oncology wards. This program has shown us that no one can remain indifferent to clowns, regardless of age. Laughter and joy, especially during challenging moments of illness, help us feel better and gather the energy and strength needed for further victories
Program for Children with Autism and Seniors with Dementia
This year, we have also introduced regular programs for children with autism and seniors living with dementia. These programs emerged from the three-year ClowNexus project, in which we collaborated with eight experienced European clowndoctor organizations to explore how clowning and humor in healthcare can strengthen social bonds and improve communication with individuals living with autism and dementia. Our goal was to create shared spaces for creativity, play, laughter, and artistic enjoyment, while ensuring enough time and space for everyone to express their feelings and creativity. The project was co-financed through the European Union’s Creative Europe program.
Your outstanding fundraising campaign this year ?
Collaboration with TEDi
In a collaborative effort with the retail chain TEDi, so far over €50,000 was raised to support our mission. This partnership involves donation boxes next to cash registers in 85 TEDi stores across Croatia, allowing customers to contribute directly. Customers can also donate by scanning a barcode found on a donation box and at store window posters, which on top of that gives us large visibility. Additionally, through informational leaflets available in select TEDi stores, we recruited 22 dedicated volunteers who are assisting us in collecting donations from the boxes. Currently, we are working on expanding collaboration with TEDi by introducing physical leaflets featuring a QR code. By scanning the code, customers can read a touching story from one of our hospital visits and donate online through a dedicated landing page. This approach aims to enhance engagement and make it even easier for people to support our work even outside TEDi stores.
Collaboration with Sport Vision
This year we partnered with Sport Vision in a meaningful initiative to bring joy to those who need it most. Through this collaboration, customers purchasing Champion sportswear in Sport Vision stores are contributing to our mission, with €0.10 from each item sold. This campaign not only allowed their customers to meet their sporting needs but also provided an opportunity to make a positive impact by supporting our work. We are deeply grateful to Sport Vision and their customers for helping us to bring smiles and hope to individuals facing challenging circumstances.
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