The Community of Homeland War Associations of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County continues psychosocial programs for veterans and their families, organizing a professional conference on the transgenerational transmission of trauma in late November.
The year 2026 seems infinitely distant from 1991, when the defensive Homeland War began. Yet, although more than three decades have passed, for many Croatian veterans and their families, war trauma remains a daily reality. Post-traumatic stress disorder does not fade with time, and the battles continue to be fought in the silence of family homes.
Within the Community of Homeland War Associations of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Danijela Mihaljević is responsible for organizing and implementing programs for individuals with PTSD and their families. She emphasizes that support is continuously provided.
"As part of the psychosocial program and the project 'PTSD, Veterans, and Their Families,' which we initiated and partially implemented, we continue to conduct educational workshops," Mihaljević told Novi list. In June 2026, the third cycle of lectures and workshops was completed, forming part of a two-year program.
As the concluding activity of this two-year program, a professional conference dedicated to the transgenerational transmission of trauma among veterans and their family members will be held in late November 2026. The conference will bring together experts who were part of the program, as well as those who have worked with veterans and their families for 30 years.
"A particular challenge is the transgenerational transmission of trauma, which manifests through emotional and communication patterns within families, often without clear recognition of the cause. The conference raises the question of whether we, as a society, have done enough to recognize and mitigate war trauma," Mihaljević explained. Funding for the conference has been secured by the City of Rijeka, which is also a project partner.
In addition to expert lectures, the Community of Homeland War Associations of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County is also turning to creative solutions. A collaboration has been established with the School of Applied Arts in Rijeka. "At the initiative of our members, we established cooperation with the School of Applied Arts. With the help of their students and professors, we will strive to encourage and develop our own creativity, which is crucial for reducing stress, boosting self-confidence, and personal growth," said Mihaljević. The first workshops begin in October 2026.
In early 2026, the Main Committee of the Community of Homeland War Associations unanimously supported the launch of the humanitarian campaign "Community for Community 2026." The goal is to raise funds for the Association "Vukovar Butterflies," founded by parents of children with developmental disabilities and based in Vukovar.
The idea for the campaign came from Darda Elementary School, where students created a dramatic performance about the life of sixteen-year-old Igor Kačić, the youngest victim of Ovčara. "The play tells the story of a boy whose dreams were cut short prematurely, and it will premiere in November as part of the Day of Remembrance commemorations," Mihaljević revealed.
Based on the play's script, a picture book titled "Dolphin" has been printed in several copies. "Our wish is to create a coloring book for children alongside the picture book and continue raising funds for the 'Vukovar Butterflies' Association through joint sales. This would complete a story that will remain permanently recorded," Mihaljević concluded, adding that funds for implementation are expected through a call from Primorje-Gorski Kotar County for psychosocial programs.
Mihaljević emphasizes that it is crucial to raise awareness of the broader social significance of the issue, given the increasingly frequent inappropriate behaviors in the public sphere. "As a society, we are still learning how to recognize and understand the long-term consequences of war trauma. Investing in education, prevention, and psychosocial support is not just helping individuals and families, but also investing in future generations," she stated.
