AgriGo4Cities - AGRIGO4CITIES - GOOD PRACTICE EXAMPLE: COMMUNITY GARDEN IN SLOVAKIA

12-03-2018

Community Garden Ružinov, Bratislava, Slovakia

The community garden Ružinov was built at the beginning of this year on the neglected place in the city of Bratislava in Slovakia which was used as a volleyball court of primary school in the past. Currently, this land is rented for free by the primary school to reclaim it by the nongovernmental organization (NGO). Nowadays there are 66 cultivation boxes. People including vulnerable groups (pensioners, single mothers) living in the neighborhood are the users of plots in the community garden.

The whole project works on a volunteer basis – a member can be anyone who has an interest and some extra time, which want to transform to active recreation. Project was financing through grant programs and a grant program of municipality. The NGO is planning organize various events, workshops in the garden for gardeners in near future.

The NGO cooperates with the municipality in several ways:
1. NGOs have received financial support under their grant program
2. At the beginning of the community garden, the city borrowed the necessary working tools
3. They help clean up space from the undesirable trees, take the picked up trash

"Plan...something, what later looks completely different." Julian Tuwim

Providing this community garden has brought new economic values from bio-waste, which serves as a valuable organic material in the production of other foods by recycling bio-waste. It supports the development of trade crafts. Local food production keeps more money circulating within the community and town.

It also helps in creating social bonds and friendships, building a community and it demolishing social barriers. It participates in sharing, reciprocity and personal growth of gardeners. It builds the relation to the environment.

Moreover, the community garden contributed to greening of the city, it was set up in a place that was neglected and would remain unused. These green areas have a beneficial effect on microclimate (it increases humidity and makes shadow). The community garden is also involved in increasing biodiversity.

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