The Keepers of Rural Heart

In Jaškovo near Karlovac, there are concrete projects - from the renovation of the Chestnut Alley, the Štrudlafest and the Štrudl House. Lidija Žganjer Gržetić, Nikolina Jović Belavić and Dunja Radaković founded the Zora Foundation.

The Zora Foundation was founded to promote the development of local communities and tourism, especially in rural areas of Croatia. Although many today associate it with the Štrudlafest and the story of Jaškovo as the Štrudlaf Village, behind it lies a much broader vision - the creation of communities that preserve their traditions, develop their own potential and build a sustainable future. For Lidija Žganjer Gržetić, president of the Board of Directors and founder of the Foundation for Sustainable Development of Local Communities and Tourism - Zora, the whole story did not begin with the foundation, but much earlier.

"The idea didn't come about overnight. I was born and raised in Jaškovo near Ozalj, and I've always been interested in how our region can be even more beautiful, successful, and more comfortable to live in. I was greatly influenced by the family business developed in a small rural town, my education focused on tourism and sustainability, and numerous trips that showed me how much local heritage can be a driver of development." The turning point came through projects that put Jaškovo on the world map - Guinness World Records, Štrudlafest, and the development of the town's identity as a Village of Strudel. "Štrudla opened many doors, connected us with people with similar values, and ultimately led to the founding of the Zora Foundation," says Lidija Žganjer Gržetić.

Foundation manager Nikolina Jović Belavić, has been involved with this story from the beginning.

“When Lidija asked me if I wanted to be a part of this story, I didn’t think much of it. Our collaboration has been going on since the first Guinness World Record in 2015. I still have a photo of us holding the envelope with the record confirmation. Today, it’s a beautiful memory of the beginning of everything that followed.”

“The biggest change was not in tourism but in society. In the beginning, there were skeptics and people who didn’t believe that one strudel could change anything. Today, we are talking about new ideas and projects, and people are much more proud of what they have. That is the greatest value of the whole story,” says Lidija Žganjer Gržetić. Anyone who wants to learn more about the work of the Zora Foundation, follow projects or get involved in the foundation’s activities and initiatives can find additional information on the official website www.zaklada-zora.hrFOTO: Demjan Rožman/privatni album