Ecogardens: Shared gardens and training in climate change
Shared gardens are one of the witnesses to climate change in urban areas. Ecogardens is a project supported by the Erasmus+ programme, which aims to create an e-learning platform for volunteers and users of shared and collective gardens, providing educational material on how to transform gardens into environmental education centres, promote their role in urban areas and create a community together across Europe. The project consortium is made up of organisations in France (Pistes-Solidaires), Spain (On Projects), Austria (Klimabündnis, Gartenpolylog), Hungary (KEK) and coordinated by Kokoza (Czech Republic).
Project objectives
Education and Awareness
EcoGardens has developed educational resources to raise awareness of environmental issues. Participants learn through gardening, acquiring practical knowledge of sustainable growing techniques and biodiversity.
Climate-Friendly Practices
The project encourages the adoption of environmentally friendly gardening techniques, such as the use of natural compost and rainwater collection systems, in order to minimise the carbon footprint and promote a healthier environment.
Community Participation
By promoting the involvement of community members in collective gardening activities, EcoGardens strengthens social ties and creates a mutual support network. The gardens become meeting places where people can learn and contribute.
The EcoGardens Training Platform
The EcoGardens training platform is a comprehensive resource for anyone wanting to get involved in sustainable community gardening. Here are some of the key elements:
- A summary report: This analysis provides a detailed overview of the impact of community gardening on environmental education and offers recommendations for the future.
- A collection of best practices: A collection of tried and tested methods for educating communities and raising awareness of environmental challenges through gardening.
- Online training: Four interactive modules that guide users step by step through the process of implementing environmentally friendly initiatives in their gardens !
Module I - Our lives in a time of global climate change
This module provides an overview of global climate change and proposes practical strategies for adaptation and resilience at individual, community, national and global levels, while highlighting the importance of strong communities in meeting the challenges posed by extreme weather events worldwide.
Module II - Community gardening in a changing climate
This module explores how shared gardens can adapt to climate change through changes in soil and water management, plant selection and garden design, focusing on the role of individual contributions to climate protection and adaptation through climate-friendly gardening practices.
Module III - Communication: a key to sustainability
This module aims to improve communication and networking skills in order to raise awareness among community gardens of the impact of climate change. It provides tools and strategies for developing and implementing effective communication and networking techniques.
Module IV - How can teaching skills help empower community gardeners?
This module teaches shared garden managers how to transform gardens into educational centres that enable gardeners to have a positive impact on their neighbourhoods through a dynamic, experience-based programme focused on the protection of the individual, the community and the environment, including the creation of engaging and participatory educational experiences.
For more information, see the project platform. Let’s work together towards a blossoming future!
[Translation : NSS EPALE France]
