U-GARDEN European project, launched on June 2022, promotes capacity building and knowledge for the extension of urban gardens in European cities
Promoting urban gardens and similar experiences of green food production as a key component of a strategic framework for sustainable urban development in Europe – this is what the main aim of U-GARDEN project. In order to do this, U-GARDEN will build an interdisciplinary knowledge on the functioning of urban areas based on identification of different urban areas involved in agricultural activities, of networks of local stakeholders and actors, of beneficiaries who would join the gardening ecosystem.
Various U-GARDEN activities will advance innovative practices and policies towards improvement of sustainable agricultural production in urban areas. Changes in the circuits of food production, supply and consumption in medium/large sized cities as well certain social, cultural, attitudinal changes in citizens caused by the spread of local ecological food and other agricultural production experiences will be assessed during the project.
U-GARDEN brings together in a consortium, 10 partners and 6 cooperation partners guaranteeing a full coverage of scientific, technical, and social competences from 4 different European countries (Poland, Romania, Spain, and Sweden): University of Valencia (UVEG-Spain-), Polytechnical University of Valencia (UPV-Spain-), Warsaw University of Technology (WUT -Poland-), Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS -Poland-) and University of Gothenburg (GU -Sweden-), Municipality of Gothenburg (GBG, -Sweden-), Region Västra Götaland (VGR -Sweden-), Municipality of Valencia (VLC, Coop. P., -Spain-), Consell de L’Horta of Valencia (CH, Coop. P., -Spain-) Municipality of Brasov (BMA – Romania-) & Warsaw City Hall (Coop. P.-Poland), BEIA Consult International (BEIA -Romania-) and Urban Cultor SRL (UBC-Romania-), Commons Lab Foundation (CL), SAM Rozkwit Association (SM) & One Muranów Foundation (OM). The involvement of four European urban areas with different social, demographic, environmental and geographical characteristics represents a manifestation of the diversity of contexts in which urban gardens can play a role as a key component of sustainable urban development.
PN3-P3-1152/31.12.2021
Project implementation period: 24.06.20 22-23.06.2024
2022
Activity 1.1 – Needs analysis, targeting and target audience to maximise impact, and identification and implementation of tailored communication channels.
Activity 1.2 – Creating a website for U-Garden and social media accounts.
Activity 1.3 – Strategy Analysis of the and sustainability of the project.
2023
Technical description of Phase 2023 : Phase 2 in 2023 focuses on analysing, interpreting and proposing improvements and enhancements to the project’s dissemination, communication and engagement strategy.
This stage involves the following activities:
- Activity 2.1: Analysis, design and implementation of a series of communication campaigns
This activity involves assessing and analysing existing communication strategies, identifying their strengths and weaknesses. Based on this information, a series of communication campaigns are designed and implemented to support the project objectives.
This can include various communication channels – online, offline, media, social media, etc.
- Activity 2.2: Analysis of the results obtained for scientific dissemination and
professional
This activity focuses on the analysis of the results and impact of the dissemination of scientific and professional information generated by the project. It assesses how this information is received and understood by the target audience and how dissemination strategies can be improved to enhance the impact and relevance of the information.
- Activity 2.3: Definition of indicators, targets and strategies for monitoring risk factors for the innovation potential of the project
This activity involves setting specific indicators, targets and strategies for monitoring risk factors that could affect the innovation potential of the project. Risk factors are identified and assessed, and a monitoring system is developed to detect and manage these risks in real time.
General Assembly with U-GARDEN consortium members in Gothenburg (13-15 September):
We presented the main communication and dissemination actions that the consortium will have to undertake in the coming months in the card of Work Package 7 “Communication and Dissemination”.
Deliverables in progress:
- Report on dissemination, communication and stakeholder engagement.
This report will summarise the results and conclusions from the dissemination and communication activities carried out in the project. It will highlight how the objectives were achieved, the impact generated and any suggestions for improving future strategies. - Innovation Management Plan
This plan details how innovation will be managed and directed within the project for the year 2023. It may include strategies, resources required, implementation milestones and how progress on innovation will be assessed.
These activities and deliverables provide a solid framework to evaluate, improve and enhance risk communication, dissemination and monitoring strategies, contributing to the continued success and innovation of the project.
U-Garden communication activities are developed in line with JPI Urban Europe’s communication strategy and correspond to the needs of the project. The JPI Urban Europe Communication Strategy describes the long-term direction of communication activities within JPI Urban Europe, including main tools, target groups, channels, responsibilities and roles, and strategic priorities.
Disseminate 2023
Dissemination of progress and results was done through social media (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Twitter) and on the project website.
Facebook: we had a reach of 103,249 people who saw the content for the 12 published posts, 12,333 reactions and 23 shares. The page has 64 followers. Note that some posts were sponsored.
Linkedin: We had a total of 1,976 impressions for the 10 published posts, 158 reactions and 16 shares. The page has 39 followers.
Twitter: We had a total of 593 impressions for the 10 posts published, 114 reactions and
34 shares. The page has 24 followers.
Instagram: We had a reach of 2,990 content views for the 14 published posts, 216 reactions and the Page records 93 followers!
2024
Stage 3: Analyzing and strengthening the communication strategy and defining the plan for “Open Doors in Urban Agriculture” events – 01.01.2024 – 31.12.2024
Activity 3.1 Evaluation of the potential for the implementation of the events “Cultural and educational days of urban agriculture”, definition of the framework, target audience and activities.
Under Activity 3.1, the project team carried out the potential assessment for the implementation of the “Cultural and Educational Days of Urban Agriculture” events, defining the general framework, target audience and specific activities. The planning process culminated in a project meeting held in Brasov in June 2024, where representatives from Brasov, Valencia and Gothenburg worked together to adjust the plan according to the needs and particularities of each city.
Activity 3.1 has been instrumental in developing the Cultural Days Plan, defining a well-grounded approach adapted to the local context. The project meeting in Brașov in June 2024 played a decisive role in integrating the perspectives of the three cities, helping to create a coherent and realistic plan. Although the planning was finalized in 2024, successful implementation depends on the efforts of local partners until May 2025, thus contributing to the promotion of urban agriculture and strengthening sustainable urban communities.
Activity 3.2 Analysis of processes and results obtained from the organization of events.
Under Activity 3.2, we carried out an analysis of the processes and outputs of the U-GARDEN project activities in order to assess their contribution to the overall project objectives. This activity included a detailed assessment of their impact and effectiveness.
Thus, Activity 3.2 remains a dynamic process, dependent on the success and full implementation of the planned events, with results that will be continuously evaluated to support the achievement of the transversal objectives of the project.
Activity 3.3 Strengthening networking and dissemination strategy. Coordination of scientific and professional dissemination.
Under Activity 3.3 – Strengthening networking and dissemination strategy and coordinating scientific and professional dissemination – the U-GARDEN project team focused on creating a sustainable network of cities and metropolitan areas interested in participatory urban agriculture practices and promoting sustainable transformation of urban ecosystems. This activity has a central role in the preparation of deliverable D.7.4 – Exploitation and Sustainability Plan, which will define the exploitation strategy of the project results and self-sustainability mechanisms, to be finalized in May 2025.
Results
The 2024 phase of the U-GARDEN project was dedicated to the development and evaluation of initiatives to promote sustainable urban agriculture and to strengthen strategies for the dissemination and exploitation of project results.
Brasov – June 2024 :
Budget : la contractul de finanțare nr. 295 ⁄ 2022
Contract amounts [RON] [EUR]
Total amount from budget 123.864,00 25.023,00
Total co-financing (own sources) 61.877,00 12.500,00
Total amount European Commission 126.111,00 25.477,00
Total Contract value 311.852,00 63.000,00
Programme 3 – European and International Cooperation – Sub-programme 3.2 – Horizon 2020
Contracting authority UEFISCDI
 | |
