Urban Youth Gardens

The rise in urban populations has distanced young people from nature, agriculture, and farming, evident in our project's countries. Young individuals typically buy food from supermarkets, lacking the space and knowledge to grow their own crops, fostering the misconception that food comes from store shelves. Promoting the farm-to-fork concept is crucial. Our project aimed to empower youth to use small spaces in homes, balconies, classrooms, public gardens, and rooftops for growing plants. Urban lifestyles, lacking green spaces, further alienate young people from nature, worsened by COVID-19. This disconnection causes physical and mental health issues, recoverable through re-engagement with nature. Young people often lack environmental awareness and eco-friendly practices. Reconnecting with nature is essential for sustainability. Cities fail to provide adequate green spaces, and existing ones are underutilized. Engaging youth in urban green spaces enhances their quality of life and fosters social bonds. Our project, backed by research, highlighted the need to educate youth on food production and environmental stewardship.

The 7th EAP aims for sustainable living by 2050 through a circular economy, minimizing waste and managing resources wisely. It emphasizes biodiversity conservation and resilience. This vision includes a low-carbon growth model for a sustainable global society. Cities tackle challenges like air quality, noise, emissions, water scarcity, and waste through collaborative innovation. By 2025, the EAP seeks EU cities to adopt sustainable urban planning. Our project reconnected youth with nature, educated on food origins, promoted farm-to-fork practices, cultivated citizenship and community through urban gardening, reduced food waste, offered hands-on experiences, transformed public spaces into green areas, and developed digital tools for sustainable agriculture.

This project went through for two years to reach its full potential. During this time, partners developed five project outcomes that benefited the young people they work with, other youth communities, and the general public. The consortium partners devised the most innovative and engaging ideas to realize these ambitions. By combining everyone's expertise and goals, the following activities and project outcomes were achieved throughout the project's duration: PR1. State of the art and platform of urban sustainability and green space utilization: This outcome involved comprehensive research to provide a holistic view of the available green spaces in the involved cities and their potential to be utilized for creating youth-led gardens. The research also included a report on all recommended plants for each area and how young people can engage in agriculture. This research evolved into an online platform featuring an interactive map with all the green initiatives collected in each country, along with the option for young people to contribute ideas for urban green initiatives they can develop. The research materials formed the basis for subsequent outcomes, offering a clear vision of the different needs to be addressed. PR2. Video guides on urban sustainability and farming: With all essential technical information established, a series of video tutorials were created to educate young people on the concept of urban sustainability, the importance of the SDGs, and how they can actively participate in agricultural activities in their area. These tutorials were compiled into a comprehensive video guide, which was piloted locally before full implementation. PR3. Interactive urban sustainability and farming application: All project deliverables were consolidated into an app developed specifically for this project. The app included state-of-the-art highlights and the video guide, which is freely accessible to all young people who download it. The video guide is accompanied by an asynchronous e-learning module where young people can watch the videos, take short quizzes, or submit video responses to test their knowledge. Each video has its own evaluation quiz, and young people who complete all the learning units receive a certificate of completion compatible with ECVET standards. The app's content and features continuously evolved as the project progressed and new initiatives develop post-completion. PR4. Public Green Space Interventions: The technological innovations and educational aspects of the project were culminated in practical applications by involving trained young people in renovating and establishing green spots in public spaces. All organizations engaged local stakeholders and signed Memorandums of Understanding, allowing young people (and eventually the entire community) to establish and maintain these spaces. PR5. Sustainable cookbook publishing: Following the utilization of green spaces by young people, a cookbook was published, featuring traditional food recipes from all participating countries. This cookbook was the result of a youth exchange at the project's conclusion, where young participants from previous phases used the various plant species they cultivated in their urban gardens to create traditional recipes. This served as a pan-European celebration of the project's achievements. These activities aimed to educate and engage young people in urban sustainability and agriculture, fostering a deeper connection with nature and promoting sustainable practices within their communities.

The main result of our project was that young people became aware of their ability to use urban spaces to grow their own crops. This outcome was linked to several other outputs of the project: 1. Restoration of Agricultural Knowledge: All partners came from urban and heavily populated areas where youth are often detached from nature. The project equipped youth with basic agricultural skills, enabling them to utilize spaces inside their homes, balconies, rooftops, and back gardens more effectively. Youth learned how to pot crops, understand basic soil information, plant seeds, and harvest crops. This initiative helped restore agricultural knowledge that has been lost due to extensive urbanization, aligning with the goals of the Environment Action Programme (EAP). 2. Promotion of Agriculture as a Career: Youth also became aware of the potential to pursue agriculture as a career. Involved countries faced a decline in farming interest, with the profession perceived as less desirable. The project increased awareness about the importance of farming for providing fresh and nutritious food, reinforcing the farm-to-fork concept. This heightened awareness aimed to attract more young people to the agricultural sector, ensuring its sustainability. 3. Environmental Awareness: The project raised environmental awareness among young people by highlighting the lack of green spaces in urban areas. With increasing construction in all involved countries, creating green pockets became crucial. Young people learned about the physiological and psychological benefits of green areas, understanding their importance for urban environments. 4. Appreciation of Local Produce: Another significant result was that young people gained a better understanding of food origins and developed an appreciation for local produce, which is fresher and more accessible. They also learned how to prepare basic recipes using the food they grew in their homes, schools, and other urban spaces, fostering a connection between food production and consumption. 5. Development of Digital Tools: To ensure sustainability and reach a wider audience, a website and a mobile app were developed. These digital tools were designed to engage different audiences, especially high-school-aged youth. They included tutorials on basic agricultural skills such as soil preparation, seeding, transplanting seedlings, watering, monitoring crop growth, harvesting, and presenting crops. The platform also provided basic nutrition information, recycling tips for pots and food leftovers, and innovative planting methods for urban spaces. 6. Expansion of Partnerships: Throughout the project, partners engaged with potential associated partners to reach more young people. All partners were encouraged to disseminate information about the project to the general public. The website and app, available for free, featured tutorials and videos to help the public start urban farming. In conclusion, the project successfully achieved its goals by raising awareness about urban agriculture, promoting environmental sustainability, and providing practical skills and digital resources to support young people and the wider community in transforming urban spaces into productive green areas.