INEA ecological allotment for retirees

By project CityZen

Published on 27 July 2022

Spain

Castilla y León

Valladolid

About this good practice

The University of Agrarian Agriculture of Valladolid and the City Council of Valladolid has launched this project in which retired people can take care of an eco-vegetable garden of 100 m2. In total 400 retirees are involved in the project by having free access to the land, water and training activities.
The allotments are also an open-air school in which senior citizens can learn how to respect nature and build healthy habits. The participants can take advantage by a technical assistance service provided by the founders of the gardens to solve different problems on growing their plants as well as can use all facilities that are provided.
The infrastructure is equipped with a water pump system and with special gardens for people with wheelchair.

Expert opinion

This nice and highly replicable good practice from Valladolid is in line with two most often disconnected EU policy areas. The focus on retired people and the attemps to maintain the contribution of older people in society and economy relates to the EU Green Paper on Ageing under development, a relatively young policy area of rising importance for a social and inclusive Europe. Whereas the focus on urban vegetable garden contributes to the increase of biodiversity, improves urban air quality, reduces urban heat syndrom and creates short local food circuits. The practice is easy to replicate and of interest to any urban area, big and small. What sets is apart from similar urban gardening practices is the support provided by the agricultural engineer and the farm worker to keep it nice and running in the long-term. This requires human resources but guarantees the long-term impact where many urban garden become quickly abandoned through lack of a responsible person.

Astrid Severin

Works at Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform

Resources needed

Annual investment to maintain the project in good conditions.
Qualified and involved staff:

• 1 farm laborer
• 1 full-time agricultural engineer
• 1 part-time coordinator of all the urban gardens of the Valladolid City Council

Evidence of success

15 years of experience running the garden. Surveys show a high satisfaction level of participants. The project inspired the creation of other allotment gardens in Valladolid and other cities.
Every year a solidarity food or product market is organized with surpluses from the gardens and the money collected is invested in a solidarity project.
Many retirees find people in their same situation to talk, feel useful and share experiences, which is very positive for the mental health of these people.

Potential for learning or transfer

The self-sufficient gardening is an expansive movement. Every day there is a greater concern of taking better care of the environment, for doing outdoor activities and for a healthier diet free of pesticides, so it is a good practice that generates interest and social benefits to be replicated.
The INEA Ecological vegetable gardens can be a referent example to other cities and organizations.