Новини September 29, 2025
Public Green Initiatives in Ukraine: From Local Solutions to Scaled Change
A two-day seminar “Public Green Initiatives in Ukraine: From Local Solutions to Scaled Change” took place in Lviv within the framework of the GARDIN project: Urban community gardens as social innovation in turbulent times across diverse European contexts, supported by FORMAS — Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development.
The seminar was organized and facilitated by:
- Marine Elbakidze (Ivan Franko National University of Lviv; Södertörn University, Sweden),
- Oksana Pelyukh (Ukrainian National Forestry University),
- Natalia Stryamets (Roztochia Nature Reserve),
- Olesya Buryanyk (Ivan Franko National University of Lviv).
The seminar aimed to jointly develop practical solutions and actions for the development, support, and scaling of public green initiatives, which play a key role in post-war community recovery, ecosystem restoration, strengthening social cohesion, and building a sustainable future for Ukraine.
Participants – representatives of city councils, researchers, teachers, and civil society activists – had the opportunity to exchange experiences and present their projects, including:
- The Garden of Stories in Rivne – revitalization of urban spaces;
- KITCHEN&GARDEN and Rozsadnyk / Plato – spaces for environmental education and nature therapy;
- Zero Waste Lutsk – urban garden and waste management initiatives;
- School No. 5 in Kyiv’s Pecherskyi District and Lyceum in Volochysk – microgreen cultivation and management of school greenhouses as a business project;
- Eco Misto in Chernihiv and Department of Ecology and Natural Resources, Lutsk and Lviv City Council – support for local initiatives and community resources;
- as well as representatives from the Znesinnia Regional Landscape Park, farmers, and permaculture experts.
Special attention was drawn to officials with expertise in climate change and environmental management, who recognize the contribution of civil society organizations, as well as young researchers analyzing urban greening practices in Ukrainian cities and preparing practical materials and guidelines for the organization of sustainable green projects.
During the seminar, both large-scale garden and park projects and smaller local initiatives were discussed – including simple examples of urban gardening, where tomatoes grow on pavement tiles and sunflowers in pots on windowsills, demonstrating that a green initiative does not necessarily require large plots or special conditions.
The organizers and participants express their sincere gratitude to all who joined the seminar for sharing experience, inspiration, and active participation. Events like this create a platform for the further development of sustainable green initiatives, which contribute to the recovery of Ukrainian communities, strengthen social cohesion, and promote environmental awareness in society.
Together, we are taking steps toward a sustainable future for Ukrainian cities, where nature, communities, and scientific knowledge work hand in hand.