By: Matko Kosovec
The Croatian Blind Union (CBU), in cooperation with its member associations of the blind and visually impaired, hosted a Singles’ Social Weekend in the picturesque Istrian town of Premantura from 21 to 24 August 2025. The gathering took place at ERKS Premantura, a seaside facility run by the CBU and completely accessible to the visually impaired. The programme is funded by the CBU, with significant contributions from member associations.
This initiative responds to the needs of single members – many of whom live alone, are socially isolated, or have limited opportunities to meet new people. Such circumstances often affect blind and partially sighted people, particularly in rural or remote areas. The event was open to members aged 25 to 60 who are without a partner and would benefit from making new friends, acquaintances, and possibly romantic connections.
Beyond providing a space for social interaction, the weekend also addressed key challenges faced by visually impaired people in dating and relationships. These include reducing social isolation through the development of communication and interpersonal skills, challenging stigma around gender, sexuality and partnership, and helping participants navigate the visually oriented nature of digital dating while confronting public prejudice.
The programme was informal and participant-driven, created collaboratively during the event to ensure that activities were inclusive, engaging, and relevant to participants’ interests. Alongside these aims, the CBU also wanted attendees to simply enjoy themselves, with plenty of opportunities for laughter, shared experiences, and the building of new bonds. There was be a lot of fun at the beach, with evenings being reserved for song, dance, games and enough free time to mingle.
By combining practical skill-building with social enjoyment, the Singles’ Social Weekend offers a model of good practice in tackling isolation, fostering personal development, and creating pathways to meaningful relationships for blind and partially sighted people. It is an inspiring example of how targeted, inclusive activities can make a lasting difference in participants’ lives.