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Community and intercultural gardens bring together people together from all sections of society including local communities, migrants and refugees. These gardens are often part of community projects and give opportunities to foster the social integration of migrants and refugees. Community gardens provide a safe environment where people can interact with each other.
Current situation on urban gardens in Germany, Spain, Austria, Sweden and the United Kingdom01
Urban gardens started in the 1960’s and have evolved since then. There are now many community managed green spaces throughout Europe and the rest of the world and this has become very popular.
02
Environmental benefits and a positive impact on social cohesion in neighbourhoods are seen as important as food production and access to land and local healthy food for all.
03
Community Gardens offer green spaces in urban areas with open access and many opportunities to meet people from different cultures and social backgrounds. They offer a space for learning and mutual exchange without any prior knowledge or training where everyone can easily join and take part.
Description of urban gardening project involved in the study01
Urban and intercultural gardens exist in different sizes and forms.
02
They are supported by volunteers from local communities.
03
These gardens build secure environments for refugees and asylum seekers and help to shape multicultural communities.
04
Language and culture are celebrated.
Social inclusion of migrants in urban gardens01
Legal frameworks, a lack of space and resources are external obstacles to maintaining community gardens as spaces for social inclusion.
02
Some urban and intercultural gardens faced problems with racism and trauma.
03
Therapy through horticulture activities is important.
04
There is a practice of food sharing to build community cohesion.
Guidance and training of migrants in urban gardens01
Most of the gardens offer informal learning opportunities for adults (horticultural activities, cooking, repair workshops).
02
Main obstacles to carry out formal learning activities are a lack of personal and financial resources.
03
Building communities and making friendships are important.
04
Gardeners are improving their language skills and increasing confidence as well as improving their mental and physical health.
05
Obstacles to learning and participation in general are language barriers and the personal, often difficult situation of migrants.
06
Community gardens also offer space, games and learning activities for children.
07
There is a lack of awareness towards freely available learning resources.
Relationship between urban gardening, social inclusion and training01
Urban gardens offer ecological, horticultural, practical and informal learning opportunities.
02
They are spaces for networking, social activism and active citizenship.
03
Enhanced diets through local food production and therapeutic benefits through contact to nature are acknowledged benefits of urban gardens.
04
Given the right policy framework and financial support, community gardens can uncover a large potential for employment and training opportunities.