Last updated: October 2021
The Climate Friendly Gardeners Project is based at Windmill Community Gardens in the Bobber’s Mill area of Nottingham. The project teaches local residents about sustainable gardening practices in the context of the climate change affecting the UK, through a renovated community allotment garden.” (ref 1, 2)
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Community gardens and allotments
- Allotments
- Community gardens
Key challenges
- Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
- Climate change adaptation
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Green space creation and/or management
- Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
- Social interaction
- Sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12)
- Sustainable consumption
- Sustainable production
Focus
Knowledge creation and awareness raising
Project objectives
Groundwork Greater Nottingham owned an allotment plot at Windmill Garden Allotments in Nottingham and funding was secured to improve the allotment site. The overall goal of the project was to “resurrect a community garden in the heart of the city”. Furthermore, the Climate Friendly Gardeners project aimed to “teach local residents about sustainable gardening practice in the context of the climate change affecting the UK, through a renovated community allotment garden”. (Ref. 1, 2).
Implementation activities
“Groundwork Greater Nottingham engages local groups and individuals with the issues of climate change, whilst learning how to grow, and use local food, through a programme of regular learning sessions and community events.
The project regularly supports schools, and youth groups in both curricular and extra-curricular activities, and is delivered with the help of numerous local volunteers”. (Ref. 1)
Also, the site was re-designed, new raised beds created, as well as new footpaths, a new polytunnel and new composting toilet installed. (Ref 3)
Climate-focused activities
Climate change adaptation:
- Increase or improve urban vegetation cover to help reduce outdoor temperature
Main beneficiaries
- Public sector institution (e.g. school or hospital)
- Non-government organisation/Civil Society
- Researchers/University
- Citizens or community groups
Governance
Management set-up
- Led by non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Non-government organisation/civil society
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Dissemination of information and education
- Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
- Co-management/Joint management
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
A Groundwork Greater Nottingham project at Windmill Garden Allotments in Nottingham in partnership with RSWT (Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts) Local Food (also funders to the project). (Ref. 1, 2)
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Yes
(“The Government’s plan to promote its localist approach to regeneration” ('Regeneration to enable growth: What Government is doing in support of community-led regeneration, 2011'). This through the partner (and funder) RSWT Local Food (which is part of the Big Lottery Fund's 'Changing Spaces' programme and through it Groundworks 'Community spaces' programme). (Ref. 1, 4-7) )
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
€10,000 - €50,000
Source(s) of funding
- Other
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Type of non-financial contribution
- Provision of labour
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
- Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Environmental quality
- Improved waste management
- Green space and habitat
- Increased green space area
- Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Social justice and cohesion
- Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
- Increased access to healthy/affordable food
- Increased sustainability of agriculture practices
- Health and wellbeing
- Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Cultural heritage and sense of place
- Improvement in people’s connection to nature
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
Yes
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No
References
1. Nottingham Organic Gardeners. n.d. Proud to be organic. Available at: Source link (Accessed: 15 July 2020)
2. Windmill Community Gardens. n.d. Windmill Community Gardens. Available at: Source link (Accessed: 15 July 2020)
3. James, K. et al. 2019. The Local Food Programme: Final Evaluation Report. Available at: Source link (Accessed: 15 July 2020)
4. Nottingham City Council. n.d. Allotments. Available at: Source link (Accessed: 15 July 2020)
5. Windmill Gardens. Twitter Account. Available at: Source link (Accessed: 18 July 2020)
6. Nottingham Organic Gardeners. The Demonstration Allotment. Available at: Source link (Accessed: 18 July 2020)
7. Kirwan, J., Ilbery, B., Maye, D. & Carey, J. (2014) The Local Food programme: final evaluation report. Project report, Local Food. University of Gloucestershire. (Not available in 2020)
2. Windmill Community Gardens. n.d. Windmill Community Gardens. Available at: Source link (Accessed: 15 July 2020)
3. James, K. et al. 2019. The Local Food Programme: Final Evaluation Report. Available at: Source link (Accessed: 15 July 2020)
4. Nottingham City Council. n.d. Allotments. Available at: Source link (Accessed: 15 July 2020)
5. Windmill Gardens. Twitter Account. Available at: Source link (Accessed: 18 July 2020)
6. Nottingham Organic Gardeners. The Demonstration Allotment. Available at: Source link (Accessed: 18 July 2020)
7. Kirwan, J., Ilbery, B., Maye, D. & Carey, J. (2014) The Local Food programme: final evaluation report. Project report, Local Food. University of Gloucestershire. (Not available in 2020)