Dr. Ammalia Podlaszewska
In September 2024, the peak of re-activate campaign activity in Halle has been taking place. The goal for this campaign is to create community garden to create a vibrant and sustainable space that fosters empowerment, social connection, environmental stewardship, and education within our community. From May 2024, the members of CGE team are implementing their re-activating campaign supported by Shauna Shanmugan (Local Coordinator), Rebecca Hausner (Project Assistant), Daniela Schmitt (Project Team) and Ammalia Podlaszewska (Project leader/ Chairwoman CGE).
During this activity, the community garden was able to learn valuable skills, such as gardening, plant care, food preservation and engaging with the community that the garden is based around. The women group also have an established cooking initiative that will enable them to be able to use the produce from the garden in their orders. Acquiring these skills from cultivating the food to implementing them in the cooking can boost confidence and self-esteem and empower individuals to take control of their food sources and contribute to their community in meaningful ways.
Additionally, there has been also a local activity such as flee market and study visit of another community garden in Erfurt. A mini spring festival has already taken place with the community group and there were several engaged children from the community participating in multiple garden-based activities.
With various women groups and children using the space it encouraged social connection through a shared goal. The garden also able to provide opportunities for marginalized individuals to connect with neighbours, share knowledge, and build supportive relationships. This social cohesion can help combat social isolation and strengthen community ties
In Zeitz, as our second re-activate campaign’s city, together with the collaboration of local actors, we implemented two days of Action days (Zeitzer Aktion Tag). The Zeitz ZAK event had a good turnout despite the weather. A diverse selection of stands offered a variety of sustainable products and ideas, fostering exchanges and the building of valuable networks. The public engaged in discussions about future uses for the space, emphasizing its role in the community. Free catering was available, adding to the welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. The festival consists of various stands around the car park square with furniture, carpet and pavilions for a cozier atmosphere.
During the ZAK, we aimed to foster community engagement and facilitate dialogue around the crucial topic of climate transition within Zeitz. As Zeitz undergoes the challenges of becoming a shrinking city, grappling with the aftermath of the post-industrial era marked by the departure of numerous businesses and a rapid decline in population, it’s imperative that we address these issues proactively. The Zeitz Working Group is committed to spearheading efforts to establish a synergy network comprising green-based initiatives within the local area. Our primary goal is to bolster community resilience and vitality by guiding Zeitz through a green transition. The initiative recognizes the unique challenges faced by Zeitz and seeks to leverage its existing resources and potential to pave the way for a sustainable future. By fostering collaboration among local stakeholders, businesses, and residents, we aim to harness collective expertise and enthusiasm to drive meaningful change. Through strategic partnerships and targeted initiatives, we aspire to not only mitigate the environmental impact but also to nurture economic opportunities and social well-being within the community.
Re-activate Campaign in Zeitz
