Ámëza e Dheut (Earthly Scent)
Basic information
Project Title
Ámëza e Dheut (Earthly Scent)
Full project title
Botanical Pottery Experience
Category
Reconnecting with nature
Project Description
Our project aims to provide a unique tourism experience that merges pottery and gardening in the heart of a family-owned plant nursery situated near one of the largest rivers in North Albania. The overall goal is to offer knowledge and hands-on experiences in creating ceramic pots and nurturing plants. This initiative is inclusive and caters to a wide range of participants, including children, people with disabilities, and tourists.
Geographical Scope
Local
Project Region
Shkoder, Albania, Albania
Urban or rural issues
It addresses urban-rural linkages
Physical or other transformations
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
EU Programme or fund
No
Description of the project
Summary
Our project, "Botanical Pottery Experience," is dedicated to providing a unique, hands-on tourism destination that seamlessly blends the ancient art of pottery with the enchanting world of gardening. Nestled within a family-owned plant nursery, adjacent to one of North Albania's most significant rivers, our overarching aim is to create an immersive and educational experience that fosters a profound connection with nature and crafts for individuals of diverse backgrounds.
Our focus is to engage the younger generation, nurturing their love for traditional crafts and fostering an appreciation for sustainable practices through active participation in both pottery and gardening, also the project is designed to be fully accessible, ensuring that individuals with disabilities can engage actively in crafting and gardening activities.
As a unique tourism destination, we cater to travelers seeking enriching, hands-on experiences, offering them an exclusive opportunity to immerse themselves in the local culture and nature.
Our focus is to engage the younger generation, nurturing their love for traditional crafts and fostering an appreciation for sustainable practices through active participation in both pottery and gardening, also the project is designed to be fully accessible, ensuring that individuals with disabilities can engage actively in crafting and gardening activities.
As a unique tourism destination, we cater to travelers seeking enriching, hands-on experiences, offering them an exclusive opportunity to immerse themselves in the local culture and nature.
Key objectives for sustainability
The key sustainability objectives of our project are twofold: reducing plastic waste by promoting the use of ceramic pots for planting and fostering a deeper connection with nature. These objectives have been met by actively implementing practices that contribute to environmental sustainability while enriching people's lives.
Our project goes beyond the mere use of ceramic pots. It immerses individuals in the world of gardening, nurturing a profound connection with nature. As participants actively plant and care for their green companions, they gain a deeper understanding of the natural world. This engagement contributes to an increased appreciation for the environment and, in turn, encourages more sustainable lifestyle choices.
Our project goes beyond the mere use of ceramic pots. It immerses individuals in the world of gardening, nurturing a profound connection with nature. As participants actively plant and care for their green companions, they gain a deeper understanding of the natural world. This engagement contributes to an increased appreciation for the environment and, in turn, encourages more sustainable lifestyle choices.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
Our project immerses individuals in the natural beauty of the plant nursery and the surrounding landscape. Participants can connect intimately with nature while they engage in pottery and gardening. This immersion in the natural world fosters a profound appreciation for the environment and brings people closer to the beauty of the outdoors. As they actively plant, nurture, and care for their green companions, participants experience the calming and rejuvenating qualities of nature.
The project's design is rooted in the revival of traditional crafts like pottery and gardening. By offering educational workshops, we provide participants with a unique opportunity to learn these age-old crafts, which are gradually fading into obscurity. Me as a skilled potter and my partner as a skilled gardener will guide individuals through the process of creating their own pottery and tending to plants. This reconnection with craftsmanship instills a deep sense of cultural appreciation and heritage.
The project's design is rooted in the revival of traditional crafts like pottery and gardening. By offering educational workshops, we provide participants with a unique opportunity to learn these age-old crafts, which are gradually fading into obscurity. Me as a skilled potter and my partner as a skilled gardener will guide individuals through the process of creating their own pottery and tending to plants. This reconnection with craftsmanship instills a deep sense of cultural appreciation and heritage.
Key objectives for inclusion
Our project is designed to be fully accessible to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. The space is wheelchair-friendly, and we've taken measures to ensure that everyone can actively participate. This emphasis on accessibility goes beyond physical considerations; it extends to the learning experience, as we provide accessible workshops for people of all backgrounds.
We've made it a point to keep the project affordable for all participants. The pricing structure is designed to be inclusive, ensuring that people from various socioeconomic backgrounds can access and enjoy the experience. This affordability factor aligns with our objective of making the project accessible to a diverse range of individuals.
We've made it a point to keep the project affordable for all participants. The pricing structure is designed to be inclusive, ensuring that people from various socioeconomic backgrounds can access and enjoy the experience. This affordability factor aligns with our objective of making the project accessible to a diverse range of individuals.
How Citizens benefit
Our project, "Botanical Pottery Experience," was born from a new and innovative idea that emerged during workshops with children. These workshops revealed a keen interest among children in crafting vases and adorning them with painted flowers. Inspired by their enthusiasm, we explored the idea of combining pottery and gardening to create a unique and enriching experience. Their active participation and genuine enthusiasm for pottery and painting vases served as the catalyst for this innovative venture.
Physical or other transformations
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
Innovative character
Unique Combination of Pottery and Gardening: While traditional pottery and gardening are practiced individually, our project offers a novel experience by seamlessly combining these two crafts. This fusion not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of gardens but also offers participants a holistic and educational experience that's rarely found in mainstream offerings.
Our commitment to sustainability through the reduction of plastic waste and the use of local clay aligns with global environmental goals.
The project actively promotes inclusivity, with a space designed to accommodate participants of all abilities. This inclusive approach goes beyond the mainstream and fosters a sense of community, breaking barriers that are often present in conventional gardening and crafting settings.
By integrating local cultural elements, our project offers a unique opportunity for participants to connect with their heritage. This cultural enrichment aspect distinguishes our project from standard gardening and pottery activities, making it a deeply meaningful experience.
The project originated from children's workshops and is designed to engage younger generations. This focus on youth and their interests sets our initiative apart and paves the way for future generations to appreciate essential crafts and nature.
Our commitment to sustainability through the reduction of plastic waste and the use of local clay aligns with global environmental goals.
The project actively promotes inclusivity, with a space designed to accommodate participants of all abilities. This inclusive approach goes beyond the mainstream and fosters a sense of community, breaking barriers that are often present in conventional gardening and crafting settings.
By integrating local cultural elements, our project offers a unique opportunity for participants to connect with their heritage. This cultural enrichment aspect distinguishes our project from standard gardening and pottery activities, making it a deeply meaningful experience.
The project originated from children's workshops and is designed to engage younger generations. This focus on youth and their interests sets our initiative apart and paves the way for future generations to appreciate essential crafts and nature.
Disciplines/knowledge reflected
The design and implementation of our project, "Botanical Pottery Experience," benefitted from the collaboration between two key partners with distinct areas of expertise:
As a potter with nearly three years of experience in crafting forms with clay, my role in the project focused on the artistic and craft aspect. My expertise in pottery ensured the authenticity and quality of the ceramic pots created in the project. I brought a creative and hands-on approach to the design and execution of the pottery component.
My partner, with nearly a decade of experience in nursery plant management, contributed the horticultural knowledge necessary to ensure the success of the gardening aspect. His expertise in plant care, environmental science, and sustainable practices was instrumental in shaping the gardening component.
Our collaboration involved aligning the pottery and gardening elements to create a harmonious and educational experience. While I provided creative direction and ensured the authenticity of the pottery aspect, my partner's horticultural expertise ensured that the plants thrived in ceramic pots.
The added value of our partnership is the ability to blend the artistry of pottery with the science of plant care, resulting in a well-rounded project that offers both an aesthetic and educational experience. By combining our distinct skills and knowledge, we've created a project that enriches the lives of participants while promoting sustainability and inclusivity.
As a potter with nearly three years of experience in crafting forms with clay, my role in the project focused on the artistic and craft aspect. My expertise in pottery ensured the authenticity and quality of the ceramic pots created in the project. I brought a creative and hands-on approach to the design and execution of the pottery component.
My partner, with nearly a decade of experience in nursery plant management, contributed the horticultural knowledge necessary to ensure the success of the gardening aspect. His expertise in plant care, environmental science, and sustainable practices was instrumental in shaping the gardening component.
Our collaboration involved aligning the pottery and gardening elements to create a harmonious and educational experience. While I provided creative direction and ensured the authenticity of the pottery aspect, my partner's horticultural expertise ensured that the plants thrived in ceramic pots.
The added value of our partnership is the ability to blend the artistry of pottery with the science of plant care, resulting in a well-rounded project that offers both an aesthetic and educational experience. By combining our distinct skills and knowledge, we've created a project that enriches the lives of participants while promoting sustainability and inclusivity.
Methodology used
The project commenced with a comprehensive needs assessment conducted through workshops in various children's centers and youth centers in the city. These sessions helped identify the demand for a unique experience that combines pottery and gardening. The outreach extended to young people, encouraging them to learn pottery and fostering their interest in essential crafts, Even as many have left the village in line with the general trend in Albania, we want to make the village cool again.
Local cultural elements are thoughtfully integrated into the project to make it a meaningful and culturally enriching experience. This includes using traditional patterns and designs in pottery, aligning the project with local customs and heritage.
Local cultural elements are thoughtfully integrated into the project to make it a meaningful and culturally enriching experience. This includes using traditional patterns and designs in pottery, aligning the project with local customs and heritage.
How stakeholders are engaged
Regional and local authorities were consulted and informed about the project. Their role primarily revolved around permitting and compliance with local regulations. Their involvement was essential in ensuring that the project could operate effectively within the community.
As we aim to apply for European grants to further develop and expand the project, our engagement with European stakeholders will become more prominent. This opportunity will play a pivotal role in providing the necessary resources and support to realize the project on a larger scale.
As we aim to apply for European grants to further develop and expand the project, our engagement with European stakeholders will become more prominent. This opportunity will play a pivotal role in providing the necessary resources and support to realize the project on a larger scale.
Global challenges
By promoting the use of terracotta pots over plastic containers, our project contributes to the global challenge of reducing plastic waste. Terracotta is biodegradable, providing a sustainable alternative to plastic.Our emphasis on sourcing clay locally and using sustainable gardening practices contributes to environmental conservation. Terracotta pots have excellent water retention properties, reducing water usage, and promoting efficient plant hydration.
By integrating local cultural elements into the project, we help preserve cultural heritage. Terracotta has a rich history in many cultures, making its use in the project a symbolic gesture toward preserving cultural diversity globally.
The project fosters a sense of community and ownership among local residents. This is significant because many societies globally struggle with issues related to community disintegration and disengagement. Our project provides a local solution to this challenge while highlighting the benefits of terracotta pots for plant health.
By integrating local cultural elements into the project, we help preserve cultural heritage. Terracotta has a rich history in many cultures, making its use in the project a symbolic gesture toward preserving cultural diversity globally.
The project fosters a sense of community and ownership among local residents. This is significant because many societies globally struggle with issues related to community disintegration and disengagement. Our project provides a local solution to this challenge while highlighting the benefits of terracotta pots for plant health.
Learning transferred to other parties
The workshop model we've developed, which combines pottery and gardening, can be replicated in various settings, whether urban or rural. It can be adapted to engage different age groups, from children to adults, and tailored to local cultural and environmental conditions.
The methodology of using ceramic pots and promoting environmental sustainability in gardening can be transferred to other horticultural contexts. This sustainable approach not only benefits the environment but also enhances the health and vitality of plants, making it an attractive practice for nurseries and garden centers.
Our focus on education and skill development can be applied in educational settings. The workshops provide a template for hands-on, informative learning experiences that can be replicated in schools and community centers.
The methodology of using ceramic pots and promoting environmental sustainability in gardening can be transferred to other horticultural contexts. This sustainable approach not only benefits the environment but also enhances the health and vitality of plants, making it an attractive practice for nurseries and garden centers.
Our focus on education and skill development can be applied in educational settings. The workshops provide a template for hands-on, informative learning experiences that can be replicated in schools and community centers.
Keywords
Connection to nature
Tourism experience
Inclusivity
Cultural Enrichment
Sustainability
