Empowering young people in climate change action through Growing Green Communities

According to the EDGAR-FOOD, “a third of global and 30% of EU greenhouse gas emissions (EU 27 countries range 25-42%) comes from the food system” (2021). About half of the GHG emissions are CO2, mainly linked to land-use change and energy, one third is methane (CH4) due to livestock production but also waste over-production, which highlights an issue of food waste. In the EU, around 88 million tons of food waste are generated annually with associated costs estimated at 143 billion euros (FUSIONS, 2016). While an estimated 20% of the total food produced is lost or wasted, 33 million people cannot afford a quality meal every second day (Eurostat, 2018).

Growing Green Communities

The Growing Green Communities Project aims to:

  • Contribute to a better understanding of change pathways in urban household food production and consumption patterns
  • Activate individual youth learners in supporting communities in initiating and developing urban gardening projects
  • Promote more sustainable, plant-based food consumption and shorter food supply chains
  • Contributing to the EU’s green transition efforts

While we develop this platform, stay tuned for what is to come:

  • A training in France for young people and youth workers about community gardening (see “Growing Green Communities activities” below)
  • A handbook about Smart Urban Regional Food strategies
  • A platform for the exchange of resources between the science community, schools, youth organisations, NGOs, and local food actors
  • Events for anyone interested to #GrowGreener

Growing Green Communities activities

SDGs project related

Project partners