Ensuring Climate action Objective through community GARdens based EducatioN Strategies

In Europe, nearly 73% of the population live in urban areas, a figure projected to rise to over 80% by 2050. Climate change affects nearly all aspects of urban environments — economical, environme...

The primary goal was to enhance the role of community gardens in urban climate change adaptation strategies and to turn them into non-formal environmental education centres that actively involve the neighbourhood in such strategies. We wanted to: - Develop training materials to convert community gardens into centers for environmental education. - Equip community gardeners and managers with the necessary learning tools and methodologies to support community engagement. - Strengthen community involvement in local climate change mitigation and adaptation. - Increase awareness of how community gardening can contribute to climate change mitigation. Aligned with the Erasmus+ priorities, EcoGardens aimed to: -Providing inclusive environmental education and training that encourages behavior changes such as reduced energy use, waste reduction, lowered carbon emissions, and sustainable food choices. -Actively engaging neighbors in learning activities within the community gardens, integrating them into the community-based strategy to tackle climate change in their urban areas, and enhancing civic engagement through formal and non-formal learning activities.