On June 14, 2025, the final event of the University of Latvia's Sustainability Week "S"Sadzīves Simpozijs" took place in the Academic Centre of the University of Latvia to highlight the importance of community gardens in the urban environment and their potential in promoting sustainable development. Elīna Dāce, a senior researcher at the Baltic Studies Centre, and Annija Danenberga, a project assistant, also participated in the event, organizing an experiential discussion on community gardens as nature-based solutions. "It seemed to me as a wonderful opportunity to promote the NatureScape project and at the same time gain valuable insights, because in this project we are looking at the long-term maintenance of nature-based solutions – in the case of Riga, these are selected community gardens. It came together very well," says E. Dāce about the motivation to participate in the "Sadzīves Simpozijs" of the University of Latvia.
The discussion "Community Garden Experience Stories in Search of a More Thriving Urban Horticulture Management Model" organized by the Baltic Studies Centre highlighted the diverse experience of community gardens in different parts of Latvia. The conversation was moderated by A. Danenberga and was attended by representatives of community gardens in Lucavsala, Liepāja, University of Latvia and Andrejsala. In addition, Nora Gāgane, the chief spatial development planner of the Riga Municipality, presented the municipality's perspective on the development of urban gardening in Riga.
The discussion focused both on the role of community gardens in strengthening biodiversity and regulating the microclimate in the city, and on their potential to unite local communities and improve social well-being. The stories of experience revealed both the different management models of gardens and the reality of their operation after creation. "The circumstances that dictate it vary tremendously from where the community garden is located, who has built it, what the financial and human resources are available."
A significant contribution to the implementation of the activity was made by A. Danenberga, whose coordinated work with representatives of community gardens provided informative diverse stories of experience. With the successful moderation of the conversation, a structured discussion developed, linking individual experiences into a single and content-rich story.
The format of the event also allowed us to think about ways to make science more accessible to the public: "It definitely helps to bring scientific activities closer to those people who are not so familiar with science." E. Dāce emphasizes that the form of the activities was also adapted: "Initially, we applied for the activity classically, scientifically formal, as is usually the case, but other applicants had come up with completely different, interesting ideas. That's why we also adapted to a more informal format to make the activity easier for all participants in the event."
Evaluating the event as a whole, E. Dāce points out that the activities were valuable: "The program was wide and diverse, each activity was with something different and special."
BSC expresses its gratitude to the organizers, participants and project funders of the event. Thank you to those who participated in the organized activity, sharing their stories of experience, successes and failures, because such information is also very valuable not only for scientists, but also for those who are starting to create a community garden or are considering the idea of creating it.
NatureScape is funded by Biodiversa+, the European Biodiversity Partnership, under the 2023-2024 BiodivNBS joint call. It is co-funded by the European Commission (GA No. 101052342) and the following funding organisations: RCN - Research Council of Norway, Norway, SNSF - Swiss National Science Foundation, Switzerland, EPA - Environmental Protection Agency, Ireland, NCN - National Science Centre, Poland (No. 2024/06/Y/ST10/00129), FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., Portugal, LCS - Latvian Council of Science, Latvia (No. ES RTD/2025/09), MUR - Ministry of Universities and Research, Italy.
More about the project NatureScape in their official website: https://naturescape.nilu.no/