Green Neighbourhood

By project PICOBELLO

Published on 24 March 2025

Poland

Śląskie

Cieszyn

About this good practice

The aim of the activity was to support city residents in establishing and developing neighbourhood gardens and gardens in educational establishments. How did we help? In the simplest way possible - by purchasing and delivering the plants, soil and gardening tools identified by the residents and educational establishments. It was up to the residents and school communities to create the gardens with their own hands. The results are 14 completed neighbourhood gardens and 6 educational gardens.
How was this result achieved? We announced 2 competitions - the first for residents and NGOs and the second for nurseries, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools. Both competitions attracted a lot of interest. We received 40 entries in total.
Many plants were planted - flowers, herbs, shrubs, trees, rainwater collectors and composters were installed. Some of the gardens completely transformed existing spaces, backyards, and the process of implementation, neighbourhood cooperation and involvement in plant care built a gardening neighbourhood community. Flower beds, an orchard, a flower meadow, a sensory garden with a barefoot path and a vegetable garden with a greenhouse were created around the educational facilities. Throughout the programme we carried out various environmental education activities - workshops, a film screening, a conference and an exhibition. Based on the experience gained during the project, a guidebook was produced to help current and future urban gardeners.

Resources needed

The direct cost (purchase) of establishing the 20 gardens is only 87,000.00 PLN Because the work to create them was done by the residents themselves - neighbours, teachers, parents, students - rather than by the gardening company(s), their market value is four times higher.

Evidence of success

With a relatively small amount of funding, we were able to achieve significant results. We have supported the creation and development of 14 gardens/green spaces initiated and run by residents, and 6 gardens in educational establishments. Neighbourhood communities have been strengthened, meetings are held in the gardens, and the areas are well maintained and developing. Educational institutions continue with gardening activities.

Potential for learning or transfer

One of the most committed groups of residents involved in the creation of the gardens was the elderly. This group is very active in gardening, but also often needy.
Gardening materials - soil, seedlings, containers - are often heavy and need to be transported in a larger car. A big advantage of our solution was certainly that we delivered all the materials directly to the site and took them to the gardens, courtyards, etc. This was also the most pleasant way of working.
The competition rules were clear, the form was very simple and did not need to be filled in on a computer. During the call for entries, an adviser was available to meet residents on site and help them choose plants, encourage them to take part and explain how to fill in the entry form.