The “Urban Gardens” project is an initiative by the Matosinhos City Council aimed at promoting sustainable practices and environmental awareness within local communities. Part of the European Week for Waste Reduction, the project focuses on the installation of portable gardens in social institutions across the municipality, encouraging waste reduction, the reuse of materials, and the promotion of composting and urban farming.

The portable gardens, set up in common areas of the participating institutions, offer users and the community the opportunity to grow and care for their own plants. These gardens have the advantage of being mobile, allowing them to be moved as needed, and are designed for easy and inclusive maintenance.

Objectives:

• Waste Reduction: Raise awareness about the importance of reducing and recycling waste, promoting the composting of food scraps as fertilizer for plants.
• Promotion of Sustainable Habits: Encourage urban farming practices and the cultivation of fresh, sustainable, and local food.
• Environmental Education: Engage users, staff, and the community in educational activities about waste prevention and environmental impact.
• Inclusion and Social Well-being: Promote activities that enhance the physical and psychological well-being of institutional users through direct contact with nature and the responsibility of caring for plants.

Target Audience:

The target audience for this project includes users from partner institutions, such as elderly individuals and adults in vulnerable situations, as well as staff and the families of users who can participate in the activities.

Methodology:

• Installation of Gardens: The portable gardens will be set up in easily accessible locations within each partner institution, prioritizing areas with good sunlight exposure and safety for the users.
• Training Sessions: The project team will provide initial training sessions at the institutions, covering topics such as watering, composting, and basic plant care.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Continuous monitoring of garden progress, with feedback from the institutions, will assess the impact of the initiative on waste reduction and improvement of user well-being.

Materials Used:

The gardens will be constructed using reusable materials, such as wooden pallets, reusable planting boxes, and composting containers made from recycled bins. Additionally, the use of natural fertilizers, derived from organic waste composted within the institutions, will be encouraged.

Expected Results:

• Reduction of organic waste generated by the institutions, which will be used for composting.
• Raising awareness among approximately 300 users and staff about the importance of waste reduction and sustainable practices.
• Creation of a social and occupational therapy space within the institutions, positively impacting the well-being of the users.

Timeline:

• Preparation and Planning – November
• Garden Setup – December/January
• Initial Training – December/January
• Evaluation – March

Conclusion:

With the “Urban Gardens” project, the Matosinhos City Council aims to actively contribute to the European Week for Waste Reduction, promoting practices of waste reduction, reuse, and recycling through the implementation of sustainable gardens in social institutions.

Partner – Lar Civas (Lar Canto d’Encanto)