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Permablitz in Cavadinesti

Basic information

Project Title

Permablitz in Cavadinesti

Full project title

Permablitz in Cavadinesti

Category

Reconnecting with nature

Project Description

Our project aims to establish a permaculture garden within The Middle School's premises in Cavadinesti commune, Galati county. By fostering an environment that encourages active participation, we seek to educate and involve the youth of the Cavadinesti community in permaculture practices. Through hands-on activities focused on sustainable food cultivation and landscaping skills, we aspire to promote unity, support, and adaptability among the younger generation.

Geographical Scope

Local

Project Region

Cavadinesti Commune, Galati County, Romania, Romania

Urban or rural issues

Mainly rural

Physical or other transformations

It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)

EU Programme or fund

Yes

Which funds

Other

Other Funds

European Solidarity Corps

Description of the project

Summary

Our project aspires to foster a sustainable relationship between the Cavadinesti Galati community and its natural environment. Through active community engagement, we seek to create an inclusive permaculture garden that embodies the principles of co-creation, sustainability, and cultural identity.

In order to ensure the success and sustainability of our project, we have established a collaborative partnership with key local decision makers and The Middle School in Cavadinesti. This partnership serves as a vital cornerstone, enabling us to align our goals with the community's needs and leverage the school's resources and educational expertise.

Long-term Benefits and Challenges Addressed:

Ecological awareness: Introducing permaculture practices will equip all ages with sustainable farming skills, fostering a more environmentally conscious community.

Social cohesion: Collaborative garden maintenance will strengthen community bonds and encourage shared responsibility, enhancing social well-being.

Sustainable economy: The project promotes sustainable agriculture, contributing to long-term economic stability and environmental preservation.

Challenges Addressed:

Agricultural sustainability: The project addresses unsustainable farming practices, promoting techniques that enhance local agricultural resilience.

Environmental consciousness: By instilling a sense of environmental stewardship, the project aims to combat biodiversity loss and environmental degradation.

Inclusive development: Creating an accessible permaculture garden fosters social inclusion and equitable access to sustainable resources, addressing community cohesion challenges.

With the integration of New European Bauhaus values, our project lays the groundwork for a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive future for the Cavadinesti Galati agricultural community, serving as a model for similar initiatives.

Key objectives for sustainability

The key objectives of our project revolve around fostering sustainability in various dimensions. Primarily, we aimed to establish an ecologically sustainable permaculture garden that serves as an educational and practical hub for the community, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing biodiversity.

Additionally, our project sought to promote social sustainability by fostering a sense of community ownership and responsibility for the garden's upkeep, fostering a collective spirit of environmental stewardship.

Furthermore, we emphasized economic sustainability by integrating cost-effective and environmentally friendly techniques in the garden's design and management, ensuring long-term viability and minimizing resource consumption.

The project's success in meeting these objectives is exemplified by its ability to serve as a model for sustainable community initiatives, showcasing how the integration of sustainable practices can foster environmental, social, and economic well-being within a local context. Through its inclusive and participatory approach, the project demonstrates the potential for sustainable initiatives to empower communities to create a more resilient and environmentally conscious future.

Key objectives for aesthetics and quality

The key objectives of our project encompass the integration of aesthetics and the enhancement of quality experiences for individuals within the community.

We seek to create an inviting and culturally enriching environment through innovative design and cultural benefits, emphasizing the natural beauty of the landscape.

To fulfill these objectives, we want to implement a range of design elements that prioritize both functionality and aesthetic appeal. This includes the development of a unique berry maze, several vegetation tunnels, and restful pergola areas adorned with fruiting climbing vines, enhancing the overall visual allure of the garden while providing shaded spaces for relaxation and communal gatherings.

Moreover, our project integrates the concept of tree guilds, incorporating companion plants with diverse roles to promote biodiversity and create a visually dynamic and ecologically rich landscape. By strategically designing areas for wildlife, such as wildlife corridors with tall grasses and wildflowers and designated food sources such as berry hedges, as well as creating suitable nesting and overwintering sites for native birds and hedgehogs, we ensure the integration of wildlife-friendly spaces within the garden.

Furthermore, we will maximize the use of vertical spaces by incorporating functional elements, such as grapevines on pergolas, to offer shading for individuals while simultaneously promoting food production, showcasing an innovative approach to space utilization and resource optimization.

By successfully integrating these design elements and cultural benefits, our project wants to serve as an example, highlighting how thoughtful and creative design strategies can not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of communal spaces but also contribute to the overall well-being and cultural enrichment of the local community.

Key objectives for inclusion

The primary objectives of our project revolved around fostering inclusion, ensuring accessibility, and promoting affordability for all members of the community. We incorporated inclusive design principles that catered to the diverse needs of individuals, irrespective of age, background, or abilities. The garden space was meticulously designed to be easily accessible, allowing seamless entry for all community members and visitors, including those with some physical disabilities.

Additionally, we integrated inclusive governance systems, fostering collaborative decision-making processes that encouraged active participation and representation from various community stakeholders.

Furthermore, we emphasized the importance of affordability by implementing cost-effective and sustainable solutions in the garden's development, ensuring that the project remained financially accessible to the entire community.

Our food-producing permaculture garden design plays a vital role in promoting food security and sustainability within the school and the broader community. By cultivating a diverse range of fruits and herbs within the garden, we ensure a long-term and sustainable supply of fresh and nutritious produce that can directly benefit the students at The Middle School and the wider Cavadinesti community.

By promoting a sustainable and community-driven approach to food production, the garden serves as a sustainable source of fresh, locally grown produce, contributing to the long-term food security and well-being of the school and the Cavadinesti community as a whole.

How Citizens benefit

The successful implementation of our project has been greatly influenced by the active involvement and participation of the loca and various stakeholders within the local community. From the project's inception, we have fostered a culture of inclusive decision-making and collaboration, actively engaging citizens and civil society organizations in the planning, design, and implementation phases of the permaculture garden.

Through regular consultations and information sessions, we have had the opportunity to take their ideas, concerns, and suggestions, thus shaping the development and execution of the project. Their valuable insights and local knowledge have significantly influenced the design of the garden, ensuring that it reflects the unique cultural identity and preferences of the Cavadinesti community.

Moreover, our partnership with local authorities and The Middle School's management has been instrumental in garnering support and resources for the project. Working closely with local authorities has facilitated the acquisition of necessary permits and resources, while collaboration with the school's management has provided invaluable educational and logistical support. Additionally, the active involvement of parents of the school children has been encouraged, fostering a sense of shared ownership and responsibility for the project's success.

The impact of this inclusive approach has been profound, fostering a sense of community ownership and pride in the project's outcomes. The active engagement of citizens and civil society has not only enhanced the project's relevance and effectiveness but has also fostered a stronger sense of community cohesion and empowerment. By embracing the collective wisdom and contributions of the community, our project has truly become a collaborative endeavor, demonstrating the transformative power of inclusive decision-making and community involvement in creating sustainable and impactful initiatives.

Physical or other transformations

It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)

Innovative character

The innovative nature of our project becomes evident when compared to mainstream practices in the field. In contrast to conventional monoculture plantation "forests" and extractive agricultural methods, our permaculture garden represents a pioneering approach that prioritizes ecological balance and biodiversity conservation.

Unlike monoculture tree plantations that are essentially "green deserts", due to a lack of plant diversity, it weakens the trees instead. Our garden promotes a diverse range of native biodiversity-nurturing species, fostering natural resilience and sustainable food production.

By embracing permaculture principles, we create a self-sustaining ecosystem that minimizes environmental impact and supports local biodiversity, a significant departure from the resource-intensive and ecologically harmful practices associated with conventional food growing methods.

Moreover, in comparison to mainstream green spaces dominated by invasive species, our project showcases a concerted effort to promote native plant species and create wildlife-friendly habitats within the school grounds.

By incorporating wildlife corridors, nesting areas, and hibernation sites, our garden fosters a thriving ecosystem that not only beautifies the environment but also serves as an educational and communal space for the community.

The innovative character of our project lies in its commitment to creating a regenerative and sustainable landscape that harmonizes with the natural environment, providing long-term benefits for the ecosystem and the community.

Disciplines/knowledge reflected

The design and implementation of our project incorporated insights from a diverse range of disciplines, including Geography, Climatology, Ecology, Permaculture, and the natural sciences. Led by a designer with a cross-disciplinary education in Geography (BS) and Ecology (MS), along with specialized training in Permaculture design from Oregon State University, the project development was enriched with a holistic understanding of the local environment and ecosystem.

The cross-disciplinary education of the expert of the design in these fields ensured the seamless integration of ecological principles and sustainable practices, fostering a deeper connection between the community and the natural world.

Educational materials were meticulously crafted under the guidance of the designer, aligning with the project's core objectives and communicating complex scientific concepts in an accessible and engaging manner, thus promoting environmental awareness and stewardship among students and the broader community.

By incorporating insights from various natural sciences, the educational materials effectively communicated the scientific foundations underpinning the project, empowering students and the community to develop a deeper understanding of the ecological significance of the permaculture garden. The educational materials not only conveyed essential knowledge but also inspired a sense of wonder and curiosity about the natural world, fostering a lifelong appreciation for environmental stewardship and sustainable living practices.

Methodology used

The methodology employed in our project centered on a participatory and holistic approach, integrating principles of permaculture and sustainable design. The key steps included comprehensive site analysis, collaborative design development, and interactive community engagement.

Site Analysis: The project began with an in-depth assessment of the school's yard and the surrounding environment, considering factors such as soil composition, microclimate, and existing biodiversity. This analysis informed the identification of opportunities and constraints for the garden's development, guiding subsequent design decisions.

Collaborative Design Development: The design phase involved the collaboration of various stakeholders, including the school's leadership, local authorities, and the designated garden designer. Drawing upon their collective expertise, a comprehensive and inclusive garden design was conceptualized, incorporating elements such as tree guilds, berry mazes, vegetation tunnels, and wildlife-friendly habitats, with a focus on promoting sustainability and biodiversity.

Community Engagement: Throughout the project, active community engagement was prioritized to ensure inclusivity and foster a sense of ownership among the stakeholders. Regular consultations and information-sharing sessions were organized to gather feedback, encourage participation, and build a shared vision for the garden. Community involvement was instrumental in shaping the project's development, fostering a sense of collective responsibility and pride within the community.

The methodology's participatory and interdisciplinary nature ensured that the project was grounded in the community's needs and values, fostering a sense of environmental stewardship and sustainability among the participants.

How stakeholders are engaged

At the European level, we've secured European Solidarity Corps funding for this project in the current year.

We engaged with various stakeholders at a local level. The project's engagement primarily centered around the active involvement of The Middle School's leadership and the collaboration with local authorities in Cavadinesti.

The school's leadership played a crucial role in facilitating the integration of the permaculture garden within the school's premises and curriculum.

Their enthusiastic support and active participation in the planning and implementation phases ensured that the project was seamlessly integrated into the school's educational framework, providing students with valuable hands-on learning experiences and fostering a culture of environmental stewardship and sustainability.

Additionally, our partnership with local authorities in Cavadinesti was instrumental in securing the necessary permits, resources, and community support for the project.

Through regular consultations and collaborative discussions, we worked closely with local authorities to ensure that the project's objectives aligned with the community's development priorities and sustainability goals.

Their valuable insights and support not only facilitated the smooth implementation of the project but also strengthened its relevance and impact within the local community.

The active engagement of the school's leadership and local authorities added significant value to the project by providing essential logistical support, fostering community buy-in, and ensuring the project's alignment with local educational and developmental objectives.

Their collaborative efforts underscored the importance of fostering partnerships at the local level, highlighting the transformative potential of community-driven initiatives in promoting sustainable development and fostering a sense of environmental consciousness within the community.

Global challenges

Our project addresses various global challenges through the implementation of localized solutions that promote sustainability and community resilience. By fostering a permaculture garden within the school yard, we contribute to tackling several pressing global challenges, including:

Biodiversity Loss: By incorporating diverse native plant species and creating wildlife-friendly habitats, the project contributes to the preservation and enhancement of local biodiversity, thereby mitigating the global issue of biodiversity loss.

Climate Change: Through the adoption of sustainable and regenerative food production practices, the project mitigates the impacts of climate change by promoting carbon sequestration, soil health, and water conservation, thereby contributing to climate resilience at the local level.

Food Security: By establishing a sustainable food production system within the community, the project enhances local food security and promotes self-sufficiency, addressing the global challenge of ensuring access to nutritious and locally sourced food for all community members.

Environmental Education: Through the development of comprehensive educational materials and outreach strategies, the project fosters environmental awareness and stewardship among students and the community, nurturing a future generation of environmentally conscious global citizens.

Community Resilience: By fostering a sense of community ownership and engagement, the project enhances local resilience and empowers community members to actively participate in sustainable development efforts, contributing to a global paradigm shift towards more resilient and sustainable communities.

By addressing these global challenges through localized and community-driven solutions, our project serves as a model for fostering sustainable practices and nurturing a sense of environmental consciousness, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and resilient global future.

Learning transferred to other parties

Our project exhibits a high potential for transferability and replicability.

Participatory Methodology: Encouraging active involvement and shared decision-making can be done anywhere.

Permaculture Design Principles: The integration of permaculture design principles, such as the incorporation of tree guilds, wildlife corridors, and sustainable planting techniques, can be easily replicated in various environmental settings.

Educational Materials: The development of comprehensive and accessible educational materials, can serve as a model for promoting environmental awareness and sustainability in other educational institutions and communities.

Community Partnership and Collaboration: The establishment of strong partnerships with local authorities, educational institutions, and community stakeholders can be replicated in other contexts.

In our previous project at the high school yard of Beresti city in Galati, located just 20 minutes away from the current Cavadinesti garden, we successfully implemented a similar permaculture garden, showcasing the feasibility and effectiveness of this approach in diverse settings. The positive outcomes and community impact of the Beresti project served as a compelling example for the Cavadinesti community, prompting the School master to seek collaboration for a similar initiative within their own community. The success of the previous project in Beresti, along with its demonstrable benefits for the environment and the community, played a pivotal role in inspiring the development of the current permaculture garden in Cavadinesti, highlighting the transferability and replicability of the permaculture design approach across different localities and communities.

Keywords

Permaculture
Garden
Community
Biodiversity
Education

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