Urban Farming Education for Sustainable Future

"<< Background >>The idea behind this project was to help in creating better future for these and future generations, to improve lives of citizens and develop sustainable communities, and contribute to change in the mindset of the adults on environmental concerns. The benefits from urban farming are great. It provides access to healthy local food and green space, and it can also generates income; it can help to increase food security by providing inexpensive, fresh produce to low-income communities; it helps building strong communities by stimulating the economy and providing a mutually beneficial experience; People who live near green spaces are generally happier with improved physical and mental health. The unfortunate truth is that we only spend about 5% of our time outside. By adding productive urban gardens in areas that lack access to green space it would positively impact the people living in those urban communities. Urbanization will continue, but we can move forward with it. Nature has been proven to help treat the physical and mental problems that so many people now face. It helps the local economy too. Therefore, the setting up of urban farms is an innovative, progressive way to approach public health and generate income.<< Objectives >>The overall goal of this project was to change the mindset of adult citizens and encourage their interest in environment and sustainability and to expand urban farming movement in the countries targeted in this project thus contributing to the EU Green agenda, the fight against climate changes and sustainability of the cities. By embracing urban agriculture as a process of social innovation, we wanted to increase social inclusion of vulnerable and marginalized groups, increase employability, and stimulate the livability of cities. To reach the main objective we set specific objectives:- To strengthen our network for knowledge and experience exchange among partnering organizations, increase our organizational capacities and jointly develop innovative and creative educational program for urban gardening. - To strengthen the capacities of adult course providers, enhance their enthusiasm and create an environment for developing more urban-centered agriculture education programs and/or assist professionals currently working in urban programs. Through this project we wanted to advocate for placing urban agriculture within the context of a strategic urban planning and using agro-ecology as a local development strategy.<< Implementation >>During the project implementation period we implemented all of the planned activities, without any delays or challenges:1. First ""Kick off"" transnational meeting - Skopje on 31.01.2023, premises of Forum CSRD. 2. Baseline Study – Urban Farming in North Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia and Bulgaria (01.01.2023 – 01.04.2023)3. Videos and info-graphics (01.04.2023 – 31.08.2023)4. Second transnational project meeting – Zadar, 18.07.2023, City Library5. Urban farming for Beginners (Guide) (01.09.2023 – 01.01.2024)6. Third transnational project meeting - Sofia, 07.12.2024, premises of Bulgarian School of Politics ""Dimitry Panitza""7. Curriculum - (01.01.2024 - 01.04.2024)8. Training - ""How to grow plants in the city"" (01.04.2024 - 01.05.2024)9. Training - ""Growing and selling"" (01.05.2024 - 01.06.2024)10. Fourth transnational project meeting - Belgrade, 10.06.2024, Hotel Prag11. Four Multiplier events (May/June 2024) in North Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Croatia<< Results >>The main results are the conducted baseline assessment of the current situation with urban farming in the region resulting in creation of the Baseline Study; the created set of educational materials: 16 videos and info-graphics, Beginners Guide (Urban Farming for Beginners), new and innovative Curriculum, and conducted 2 trainings where we presented future educators with the created educational materials and strengthen our partnership and cooperation.Through the cooperation on the project, we further built and strengthen our partner network, increased the capacities for cross-border cooperation and internationalization of the activities and developed and exchanged new practices, methods and ideas."