Francesco Manieri, President of Libertà Era Restare
How did the project “Il Verde in Città” come about and what does it consist of? Why is it located in this geographical area?
Il “Verde in Città” was created to redevelop a State-owned area in a state of neglect and serious degradation. Upon acquiring the site on Via Agucchi, in the “Navile” district of Bologna, we saw that there was a one-and-a-half-acre area that had become a landfill and we started to feel the desire to initiate a redevelopment to make this space available to citizens.
The project includes the cleanup and the planting of essences that had been lost over the years; it also involves the creation of a 1,500-square-meter social garden, where citizens grow vegetables for their home consumption.
The bet was to create a unique social garden, where everyone works together and where the produce of the earth is shared.
One of the goals of the project is to combat climate change by placing new plants, fruit, shrubs and agricultural plants that produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide. Even a seemingly small intervention yields big results in combating carbon dioxide production.
How important was the contribution of 8×1000 funds from SGI-Italy?
The contribution of SGI-Italy has been fundamental; we are a small association that supports itself with membership fees and through local initiatives.
Being able to take advantage of this contribution has allowed us to make a qualitative leap, to invest in training, planning and in the involvement of other social realities to help carry out works that will remain in the area also in the future.
Since the park has returned to a natural state, the citizens of the area are appreciating and enjoying the space, people have begun to take walks and stop here for lunch breaks, others are participating in cultural activities, taking care of the vegetable garden and maintaining the park.
It is a common good that is being returned to the citizenship, who will take charge of it.
Martina Riccio, Center for International and Intercultural Health (CSI) (partner)
The Center for International and Intercultural Health has been working in the area for several years and has developed relationships based on trust with those who live there; in fact, since the start of the project many people have approached us by word-of-mouth.
Our studies show that there are many people who would need – but do not benefit from – projects aimed at promoting health and well-being, so our goal is to involve more and more people in the project.
Currently, in addition to the social garden, we have a weekly appointment to create socialising moments, such as showing movies thanks to the outdoor cinema. Also, parties are one of the best ways to stay together and meet new people.
In the past, this area was a tangle of brambles and rats: it was a big problem for the neighboring houses, but now the people who live there are the first ones to use the park; about six hundred families live in the public housing section adjacent to the park.
What are the challenges you are encountering?
The people who usually and easily participate in the activities offered in the area are those who have the resources to do so, that is to say money and knowledge.
our first challenge is to be equitable by giving more to those who need it most, allowing the people who struggle the most to participate in our activities.
One of the goals of the social garden is to let people take their groceries home, receiving an immediate benefit in terms of both financial savings and healthy food. This is not easy because they feel they have to pay something.
Sharing a collective garden brings the challenge in managing the conflicts that naturally emerge and so when tensions or doubts arise between people, the goal is to work on them together.
To overcome the difficulty of involving foreign people and making them feel active participants, we thought of planting agricultural products of other origins together with them and they liked this proposal very much!
The area is very popular with children, there is a socio-educational center next to the park, and we collaborate with the educators who run it.
Involving teenagers is more complicated because they tend to stay with their friends, which is why we network with the Street Education service, which is in contact with many boys and girls.
Last summer we also organized meetings on the relationship between environment and health. The activities we offer as a Health Center always aim to reflect together and experience how everything affects our health.
The biggest challenge for us is to design and act from a long-term perspective. The project sustainability is crucial for us and we are building the conditions so that in the future everything will be self-managed by the inhabitants of the area, like a public space, without the need for our presence.
Emanuela, beneficiary of the project
Why did you decide to join the project?
First of all, I like being in contact with nature. The project is interesting because you make new experiences, you try to encourage people and you create good and healthy things; I was also able to save money on some food I was buying at the supermarket. Something like this was missing in the city. Through the project I discover and learn new things, I have fun and share with others, both in the neighborhood and with people from outside. I have involved my son in the activities of the project and he gladly participates. Personally, I put my heart into it and I see that people really appreciate it, that gratifies me.
Within the project, parties and events are also organized. There was a big neighborhood party that we had here right in the garden, where representatives of institutions also came; there were many young people and everyone enjoyed what we prepared to eat.
Khadija, beneficiary of the project
Why is the project “Il Verde in città” important to you?
When I was proposed to take part in the project, I was going through a difficult time, where I felt the need to meet new people and spend time in nature with my family.
As a stay-at-home mom of four babies, I often find myself dealing with fatigue, and being able to take the children to a space like this, where they can run around, have fun and do new things, is crucial for everyone’s health and well-being.
My children are living many new experiences, learning about vegetables and plants, working with their hands, touching earth and water. We take advantage as often as we can to harvest these wonderful fruits of the garden. Personally, this is the first time I have done something like this, and it is a wonderful experience where I can compare and exchange ideas with new people on interesting topics. The events we attend are also very inspiring!