Abstract:

The local community has an important role and influence in the upbringing and education of the individual. According to ecological models, certain changes in the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, and macrosystem will greatly affect the direction in which an individual directs his or her education. Non-profit associations that emphasize altruism in their work have a great impact on the local community. Through their activities, they point out the importance of education and training from an early and preschool age and put the child in the focus of interest. The importance of partnership among all participants in the educational process and the way that resulted in building mutual trust is described in the theoretical part of the paper. The theoretical part also provides insight into clear links between all components of ecological models and their application to education stakeholders. The methodological part describes a case study from Croatia, more precisely the smaller town. Connection of the Association of Early and Preschool Educators, the Association of Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities, the University as systematic support to the work of the Association, experts and projects that connect all participants in an active whole, the local community becomes a kind of base aware of the needs of children. By organizing education for adults, children, educators, trainee educators who for the first time in their work encounter an inclusive form of education, systematic support is provided in working with children of early and preschool age as well as with children with disabilities. Such forms of partnership and cooperation are an indicator of a modern understanding of the educational process and the popularization of science through various activities aimed at the child and his well-being.

Keywords:

Ecologycal system, non-profit organizations, children, local community, children with disabilities.