Description of organisation

MEA is an NGO established in Croatia in 2017 with the specific mission of sustaining traditional maritime culture; namely, the skills, knowledge and values of the communities along the Dalmatian Coast. Inspired in part by the EU Parliament member conference on maritime heritage hosted in 2016 in Betina, Croatia, a call to citizen action was presented. Recognizing and responding to the societal challenge of the rapid decline of opportunities available to youth and young adults to experience first-hand such important aspects of their maritime heritage, MEA was founded by dedicated individuals committed to address this issue. With support of international and regional entities, MEA established its headquarters and maritime training facility at a traditional wooden boatbuilding shipyard in Sumartin Brač island, a community with history of fishing and boatbuilding

In Sumartin, MEA serves as a go-between providing its program participants exceptional access to a relatively hidden and vanishing world of this unique maritime lifestyle. When connecting youth and young adults to maritime traditions location matters since skills, knowledge and values are embedded in the individuals who continue to live them in their everyday life practices. The effectiveness of MEA projects, programs and events are attributed to the authenticity of the community it operates within and the maritime expertise of its founding members, staff, and volunteers.

All activities of organization are designed and implemented to specifically relate to the overall goal of sustaining traditional maritime heritage by imparting skills, knowledge and values contained in the heritage to others, with a particular focus on youth and young adults. MEA educational activities are offered to the public through 1) wooden boat restoration PROJECTS; 2) youth maritime skill training PROGRAMS; and 3) community maritime EVENTS. Since inception of MEA following activities have been accomplished:

PROJECTS: 4-historic Croatian wood boats have been restored or repaired at MEA`s maritime workshop. As well as saving Croatia`s tangible maritime heritage, these boats are used as teaching props allowing project participants to learn professional boat building techniques that prepare them for future employment at shipyards and maritime museums. The teaching method employed is that of a master and apprentice, where experience and generational knowledge is shared with those who are passionate to learn the traditional craft. Projects are long term, lasting from 3 or 4 months to a year or more. This type of training is reserved for a select few participants that have demonstrated a serious desire to learn. It has also been used as train-the-trainer instruction to better prepare MEA volunteers in assisting with large group youth programs. Collaboration with other nonprofit organizations, like the Adriatic Maritime Institute and Outward Bound Croatia have enhanced to success of MEA boat projects.

PROGRAMS: Introducing youth and young adults through short-term experiential learning opportunities based at the MEA waterfront wood boat workshop is the heart of MEA since such programs allow participants to engage with the working waterfront culture of an authentic Croatian maritime village. Under the personal guidance of master boatbuilders, fishing and charter boat captains, shipyard managers and volunteers, program students get a behind the scenes tour of the Sumartin Shipyard and its ongoing operations. An integral component of each program includes the demonstration of a variety of traditional maritime skills. Several skill stations are set up where local school children learn how to effectively use wood working tools and materials. For many children, these programs offer them their first opportunity to creatively engage with this type of hands-on activity. Over 100 children and young adults have benefited from these Shipyard Tour experiences. Blending professional maritime craft people with MEA`s experienced teaching and program development staff provides a real-world approach to sustaining a heritage through education.

EVENTS: To extend the educational outreach of MEA the organization has created a museum quality interactive traveling maritime skills and traditional tool exhibit that has been installed at schools, museums, and festivals. Every installation is approached as a special event where MEA staff and volunteers actively engage each visitor to the exhibit and invite them to participate. Demonstrations, explanations and heritage stories are used to enhance the experience; thereby providing a deeper understanding and appreciation of the traditional maritime heritage of Croatia. Children, youth and adults are overwhelming drawn to take part in the exhibit’s activities that often exceed the instructional value of static displays. Broadening MEA`s educational venues through exhibitions and special events increases the relevance of its mission in a world rapidly changing