1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Dublin (FUA)
Region
Europe
Short description of the intervention
The Ballymun City Farm project began as a grassroots initiative when local residents envisioned turning an underutilized green space into a vibrant community resource. Though initially rejected by the City Council, the project’s supporters recognized its potential to contribute to Ballymun’s environmental, social, and economic regeneration. With a vision to create something unique for the area, the farm was designed to foster community engagement, environmental education, and local sustainability. Over time, it has grown into more than just a recreational space—it has become a symbol of community resilience, offering people of all backgrounds and abilities a place to connect, learn, and grow together (4).
Situated on 6.6 acres provided by Dublin City Council, the farm aims to strengthen community bonds, enhance civic involvement, and combat social exclusion and isolation. It serves as both an educational and recreational space, providing opportunities for people of all abilities and backgrounds to engage with environmental topics, organic food production, native breed conservation, and traditional crafts. It is envisioned that the farm will include a designated ornamental garden, consisting of shrubs, flowers, grasses and bulbs, which will become a focal point for community activities/gatherings. In addition, we plan to install raised vegetable beds, fruit bushes.
Through urban food production and community gardens—effective tools for educating schoolchildren and engaging youth—the farm addresses the gap between food production and consumption, helping to increase appreciation for local food. Investments in green infrastructure like Ballymun City Farm also support urban and regional development, including the creation of jobs. (1, 2)
Website of the intervention
https://www.dublincityfarm.ie/
Principal problems
Environmental Degradation
Biodiversity loss
Land use and Socio-economic change
Agriculture/ crop production
Health, Well-being and Social cohesion
Disconnection from nature
Loss of sense of place and identity
Poor community engagement
Implementation area characterization
Climate
Temperate ( Humid subtropical, Hot-summer Mediterranean, Warm-summer Mediterranean, Warm-temperate with dry winter)
Ecosystem
Agricultural
Address

29 Coultry Gardens, Santry
Dublin
Ireland

Location
The NBS is situated in an area, with clear delineation of boundaries and a specific shape (polygon). The NBS project can also have more than one area location (more than one polygon, situated close by).
Area boundary (map-based)
NBS area image
Source of NBS area image
https://www.google.com/maps/place/%D0%9C%D0%B0%D0%BA+%D1%8D%D0%BD%D0%B4+%D0%9C%D1%8D%D0%B4%D0%B6%D0%B8%D0%BA+%D0%9A%D0%BE%D0%BC%D0%BC%D1%8C%D1%8E%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B8+%D0%93%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BD/@53.398753,-6.2629468,332m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x486712000e5749d3:0xe0c12498f798db6a!8m2!3d53.3987786!4d-6.2631428!16s%2Fg%2F11f2b6t1pg?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDkyNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
Total area
26709.00m²
NBS area
26709.00m²
Area description
Urban (main city)
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Public Greenspace Area
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
2015
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2019
End date of the intervention
ongoing
Present stage of the intervention
Ongoing
Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
To create an educational and recreational space that fosters learning and engagement for people of all abilities and backgrounds and will include shrubs, flowers, grasses and bulbs, raised vegetable beds, fruit bushes
To support organic food production, connecting the community with sustainable agriculture (Increased access to fresh fruit and vegetables leading to improved diets)
To promote the conservation of native rare breeds through farm activities.
To encourage the preservation of traditional crafts and related skills within the community.
To create opportunities for older people to socialise and be active and opportunities for young and old to engage
To provide an opportunity for the community to actively engage in decision making and governance processes
To address climate change by promoting awareness and sustainable practices.
To provide a platform for farmers, food producers, and smallholders to sell directly to consumers through a farmer's market at the City Farm.
Key Priorities
Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation)
Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration)
Social Justice and community
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
Climate change adaptation
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Green space creation and/or management
Habitat and biodiversity restoration
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Creation of opportunities for recreation
Enabling opportunities for physical activity
Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
Inclusive governance
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Social justice and equity
Social interaction
Environmental education
Sense of community and community engagement
Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
Economic development: agriculture
Sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12)
Sustainable consumption
Sustainable production
Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Improved agricultural practices for improved food security and prevention of food scarcity
Reducing socio-economic vulnerability to climate impacts (e.g. awareness raising)
What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Genetic-focused
What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets?
Restore native species
Implementation activities and NBS focus
Implementation activities
The Ballymun City Farm project began in 2015 when local residents proposed transforming an underused green space into a community garden. Despite initial rejection by Dublin City Council (DCC) due to land review concerns, the project gained momentum. By 2017, the proposal was re-submitted as part of the Ballymun Local Area Plan (LAP) consultation, leading to meetings with local leaders and securing support. The draft LAP, adopted in 2017, included the city farm, with extensive stakeholder engagement to secure funding for a feasibility study (4).
In late 2017, a formal proposal for the feasibility study was submitted to DCC's Parks Department. By 2018, public consultations, events like "Ballymun in Bloom," and the creation of a Blueprint for the City Farm marked significant progress. The project continued to advance in 2019 with branding efforts, a promotional video, and funding applications. A major milestone was achieved in 2020 when an agreement with DCC confirmed the official location of the City Farm, reflecting strong community support and clear goals (4). In 2022 it was confirmed that Dublin City Council has set aside 6.6 acres in Ballymun for the community farm. During the same year the initiators behind the farm team ran an open day to introduce local children to farm animals, including alpacas. They also hosted a beekeeping demonstration, soap-making workshops, and talks on wildlife. The farm hosts a community garden for growing fruit and vegetables. (5)
Type of NBS project
Creation of new green areas
Creation of areas for food production (community gardens, allotments)
Knowledge creation and awareness raising
Educational and awareness raising programs
Strategy, plan or policy development
Community-based programs (e.g. "Green Your Laneway Program")
Improved governance of green or blue areas
Creation of new, innovative governance and management approaches
Establishment of inclusive governance mechanisms involving local communities
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Community gardens and allotments
Allotments
Community gardens
Amenities offered by the NBS
Benches and drinking water stations
Educational or biodiversity trails
Complementing infrastructure (bathrooms, café)
Design elements for well-being
Visual elements (e.g., expansive views, scenic views, natural light, diverse vegetation)
Auditory elements (e.g., birdsong, water features, quiet areas, rustling leaves)
Olfactory elements (e.g., floral scents, earthy smells)
Tactile elements (e.g., natural materials like wood or stone, exposure to sunlight)
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Provisioning services
Food for human consumption (crops, vegetables)
Regulating services
Pollination
Habitat and supporting services
Habitats for species
Cultural services
Recreation
Intellectual interactions (scientific and / or educational)
Physical and experiential interactions with plants and animals
Social and community interactions
Scale
Spatial scale
Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level
Beneficiaries
Demographics in implementation area
In the context of reduced incomes and rising poverty, Ballymun remains one of the most disadvantaged communities in Dublin, with high rates of unemployment (6 p. 2). Reflecting the high level of unemployment in the area (nearly four times the national average) and the fact that 75% of those employed described their position as being General or Clerical Operatives (i.e. not at supervisory or management levels), household income is significantly lower than the national average. 80% of households in Ballymun have weekly household incomes below the state average of €666.72 and in fact the majority of households (over 60%) have weekly incomes below €350 (7).
Socio-economic profile of the area
Low-income
Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts
Unknown
Non-government actors
Citizens or community groups
Primary Beneficiaries
Food producers and cultivators (i.e. farmers, gardeners)
Young people and children
Marginalized groups
Specify primary beneficiaries
The City Farm is described as a community educational and recreational space for people of all abilities and backgrounds. The project will provide opportunities for learning and engagement and include a farmers market, supporting food producers, farmers, small holders. The value of green infrastructure includes creating a greater sense of community, addressing social exclusion and isolation, and educating schoolchildren about food production (1).
Marginalized groups
Children, young people or youth groups
People with functional diversities
People with invisible disabilities
Measures for inclusion of marginalised groups
A community facility for all, including those with physical and intellectual challenges, children, teenagers, adults, senior citizens and families. A recreational and educational facility for the entire city where people can come together to learn and have fun (8).
Specify measures taken for vulnerable or marginalized communities
Implementation of specific programs to address the needs of these communities
Other beneficiaries
Local wildlife (e.g., birds, pollinators)
Native plant vegetation
Ecosystem services (e.g. improved air quality, water purification)
Public health (e.g. increased physical activity opportunities, reduced stress)
Governance
Governance arrangements
Led by non-government actors
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
A group of local residents came together to propose the project, initially submitting a proposal to Dublin City Council in 2015. Dublin City Council (DCC) played a critical role in approving, funding, and facilitating the project through the Local Area Plan (LAP) process and its Parks Department. Dublin North West Area Partnership supported promotional and engagement efforts, including hosting events such as the Social Inclusion Seminar. Innovate Dublin helped explore funding opportunities for the feasibility study and project development. Besides the initiating group, local schools, voluntary organizations, and sports clubs (Ballymun Kickhams, Setanta GAA) were also key contributors to the project’s success. Ballymun 4 Business Group engaged with the committee to discuss the potential business and economic impact of the project (4). While the local community and residents are involved in educational activities, gardening as well as public meetings to decide on the project (1).
Key actors - initiating organization
Citizens or community group
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
Local government/municipality
Public sector institution
Non-government organisation/civil society
District/neighbourhood association
Citizens or community group
Business association or network
Stages of citizen and community engagement
Planning and design (e.g. site selection, identification of key priorities)
Development of project proposal
Decision-making among different alternative plans
On-the-ground implementation
Feedback during project implementation (e.g. review sessions)
Reporting and dissemination of project results
Level of citizen and community engagement
High
Community empowerment or capacity-building initiatives
Implementation of educational programs, workshops or trainings
Formation of community-led groups responsible for the the implementation, maintenace or monitoring of the project
Support of local entrepreneurs or small business development related to the project
Creation of collaborative decision-making processes that actively involve community members
Establishment of mentorship programs or partnerships with local institutions (e.g. schools, kinder gardens, hospitals, nursing homes)
Participatory methods/forms of stakeholder involvement (all stakeholders)
Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
Deliberative decision-making processes (e.g., consensus building, deliberative polling)
Taskforce groups
Dissemination of information and education
Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)
Citizen oversight (e.g. boards, advisory)
Uncommon actors ("Missing actors")
Public Services
Schools
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
Policy drivers
NBS intervention implemented in response to a Regional Directive/Strategy
Unknown
NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan
Unknown
NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan
Yes
Please specify the "local regulation/strategy/plan"
Ballymun Local Area Plan (LAP) (4)
Relevant strategy or plan
Urban redevelopment plan
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Voluntary (spontaneous)
Enablers & Barriers
Type of enablers
NGOs/Community groups driving the implementation
Governace and decison-making instruments
Legislative and regulatory instruments (e.g. laws, strategies, regulations or restrictions)
Educational and knowledge sharing instruments (e.g. science/ living labs, awareness raising campaigns, specific educational programs, green hubs)
Arrangements for governance cooperation
Formal coordination mechanisms to oversee project implementation and decision-making (e.g., multi-stakeholder steering committees, working groups)
Task forces or commissions (e.g. group of multi-disciplinary experts)
Barriers
The City Farm Ballymun project began several years ago when a group of local residents came together to develop a proposal to transform an existing, underused green space in to a community garden. That proposal was rejected by the City Council at the time. One reason given was that the use of the land in question would be examined as part of the preparation of the Ballymun Local Area Plan (LAP) (4).
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
Please specify total cost (EUR)
Unknown
What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?
Unknown
Source(s) of funding
Public local authority budget
Type of fund(s) used
Earmarked public budget
Non-financial contribution
Yes
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)
Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Type of non-financial contribution
Provision of land
Provision of labour
Provision of expertise
Co-finance for NBS
No
Entrepreneurship opportunities
Yes
What entrepreneurship opportunities have arisen from the NBS project?
Local crafts or artisanal production using sustainable materials
Eco-conscious food cooperatives
What types of actors are leading the entrepreneurship activities linked to the NBS project?
Other
Please specify other type of actors leading the entrepreneurship activities
Farmers
What types of support are provided to entrepreneurs engaged in NBS-related activities?
Access to markets or supply chains
Business models
Business models
Local stewardship model
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Citizens / local communities
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Green space and habitat
Increased green space area
Expected increased green space area
Increase in protected green space areas
Expected increase in protected green space areas
Increased number of species present
Expected increased number of species present
Description of environmental benefits
-Expected increased green space area: "Dublin City Council has set aside 6.6 acres in Ballymun for a community farm, according to a council official last week." (Ref. 5)
-Increase in protected green space areas: "Develop a proposal to transform an existing, underused green space in to a community garden." (Ref. 4)
-Expected increased number of species present: "There would be farm animals. “You’re talking, hens, ducks, sheep, goats, pigs and maybe some donkeys,” said Hayden. But there would also be a community garden for growing fruit and vegetables" ( Ref. 5)
Economic impacts
Increase of green jobs (e.g. paid employment positions)
Expected increase of green jobs (e.g. paid employment positions)
Generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation)
Expected generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation)
Description of economic benefits
Increase of green jobs (e.g. paid employment positions): "Which will help to create opportunities for businesses to thrive in the area, create opportunities for employment and training and make a contribution to creating a sustainable town centre and a thriving community." (Ref. 8)
-Generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation): "Which will help to create opportunities for businesses to thrive in the area, create opportunities for employment and training and make a contribution to creating a sustainable town centre and a thriving community." (Ref. 8)
Social and cultural impacts
Social justice and cohesion
Increased visibility and opportunity for marginalised groups or indigenous peoples
Expected increased visibility and opportunity for marginalised groups or indigenous peoples
Increased opportunities for social interaction
Expected increased opportunities for social interaction
Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
Expected increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
Increased access to healthy/affordable food
Expected increased access to healthy/affordable food
Increased sustainability of agriculture practices
Expected increased sustainability of agriculture practices
Health and wellbeing
Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Expected gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Education
Increased support for education and scientific research
Expected increased support for education and scientific research
Description of social and cultural benefits
-Increased visibility and opportunity for marginalised groups or indigenous peoples: "A recreational and educational facility for the entire city where people can come together to learn and have fun." (Ref. 8)
-Increased opportunities for social interaction: "A facility which creates opportunities for school projects, after school activities, summer projects, seasonal events, opportunities for young and old to learn new skills and avail of training opportunities." (Ref. 8)
-Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces: "Implementing green infrastructure features in urban areas creates a greater sense of community, strengthens the link with voluntary actions undertaken by civil society, and helps combat social exclusion and isolation." (Ref. 1)
-Increased access to healthy/affordable food: "Creating opportunities for learning and engagement for people of all abilities and backgrounds, focusing on environmental issues, organic food production." (Ref. 1)
-Increased sustainability of agriculture practices: "Creating opportunities for learning and engagement for people of all abilities and backgrounds, focusing on environmental issues, organic food production." (Ref. 1)
-Gain in activities for recreation and exercise: "Our city farm will be a community educational and recreational space, creating opportunities for learning and engagement for people of all abilities and backgrounds." (Ref. 1)
-Increased support for education and scientific research: "Our city farm will be a community educational and recreational space, creating opportunities for learning and engagement for people of all abilities and backgrounds." (Ref. 1)
Evidence for use of assessment
Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Name of any specific impact assessment tools
Unknown
Use of GIS in mapping impacts
No evidence in public records
Cost-benefit analysis
Unknown
Transparency
Meetings with stakeholders’ representatives
Community forums for information sharing and encouraging the participation of marginalized groups
Justice
Community satisfaction
Positive: The majority of feedback and reports indicate high levels of satisfaction and appreciation for the NBS project within the community.
Description of locals satisfaction with the project
Google review from Orla O'Connor: "Wonderful place to recharge, learn and meet great minded people. Fantastic experience to learn new skills in the garden." (Ref. 9)
Trade-offs & Negative impacts
Unknown
Please specify Trade-offs & Negative impacts Selected
Unknown
Emphasis of existing social inequalities or injustices
No information reported related to negative social justice-related impacts of the NBS project
Measures to prevent gentrification or displacement
No initiatives or policies were implemented
High-quality & Transformative NBS
Multiple impacts delivery (climate, biodiversity, just community)
No
Goal setting and impacts delivery
In the planning phase, the project aimed to address issues in all 3 key priority areas, but impacts were not delivered in all three key areas.
Reaching original project goals
Most of the project goals were achieved
Please specify the achievements of the project goals
Biodiversity Goals:
-Expected increased green space area: "Dublin City Council has set aside 6.6 acres in Ballymun for a community farm, according to a council official last week." (Ref. 5)
-Increase in protected green space areas: "Develop a proposal to transform an existing, underused green space in to a community garden." (Ref. 4)
-Expected increased number of species present: "There would be farm animals. “You’re talking, hens, ducks, sheep, goats, pigs and maybe some donkeys,” said Hayden. But there would also be a community garden for growing fruit and vegetables" ( Ref. 5)

Social justice and community Goals:
-Increased visibility and opportunity for marginalised groups or indigenous peoples: "A recreational and educational facility for the entire city where people can come together to learn and have fun." (Ref. 8)
-Increased opportunities for social interaction: "A facility which creates opportunities for school projects, after school activities, summer projects, seasonal events, opportunities for young and old to learn new skills and avail of training opportunities." (Ref. 8)
-Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces: "Implementing green infrastructure features in urban areas creates a greater sense of community, strengthens the link with voluntary actions undertaken by civil society, and helps combat social exclusion and isolation." (Ref. 1)
-Increased access to healthy/affordable food: "Creating opportunities for learning and engagement for people of all abilities and backgrounds, focusing on environmental issues, organic food production." (Ref. 1)
-Increased sustainability of agriculture practices: "Creating opportunities for learning and engagement for people of all abilities and backgrounds, focusing on environmental issues, organic food production." (Ref. 1)
-Gain in activities for recreation and exercise: "Our city farm will be a community educational and recreational space, creating opportunities for learning and engagement for people of all abilities and backgrounds." (Ref. 1)
-Increased support for education and scientific research: "Our city farm will be a community educational and recreational space, creating opportunities for learning and engagement for people of all abilities and backgrounds." (Ref. 1)
Long-term perspective
Yes
Cost-effective solutions
Unknown
Equitable impacts
A. All stakeholders benefit fairly from the project
Transformative capacity
Social change (e.g. social relationships, networks and dynamics within them)
Ecological change (e.g. ecosystem functions and their distribution)
Magnitude of change
Reformist: by focusing on addressing underlying drivers of change but failing to address the problem structurally or systemically
Application of lessons learned
Unknown
Perception of Environmental Change
Unknown
References
1.
The Ballymun City Farm (n.d.). What is a City Farm. The Ballymun City Farm, Accessed on September 17, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
2.
The Ballymun City Farm (n.d.). Why Ballymun?. The Ballymun City Farm, Accessed on September 17, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
3.
The City Farm Ballymun (n.d.). The City Farm Ballymun . The City Farm Ballymun , Accessed on September 17, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
4.
The Ballymun City Farm (n.d.). What's the story now. The Ballymun City Farm, Accessed on September 17, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
5.
Neylon, L. (2022). Council Promises 6.6 acres in Ballymun for a Community Farm. Dublin Inquirer, Accessed on September 17, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
6.
Harvey, B. (2015). Ballymun: A Social Profile 2007-2015.. youngballymun, Accessed on September 17, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
7.
Ballymun Partnership (n.d.). Income Levels and Spending Preferences of Ballymun People. Ballymun Partnership, Accessed on September 17, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
8.
The Ballymun City Farm (n.d.). Contact Us. The Ballymun City Farm, Accessed on September 18, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
9.
O'Connor, O. (2024). Google Reviews . Google Maps, Accessed on September 18, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
Comments and notes
Public Images
The City Farm Ballymun
The City Farm Ballymun
Ref. 3
The City Farm Ballymun
The City Farm Ballymun
Ref. 3
The City Farm Ballymun
The City Farm Ballymun
Ref. 3
The City Farm Ballymun
The City Farm Ballymun
Ref. 3
The City Farm Ballymun
The City Farm Ballymun
https://www.facebook.com/TheCityFarmBallymun
The City Farm Ballymun
The City Farm Ballymun
https://www.facebook.com/TheCityFarmBallymun
The City Farm Ballymun
The City Farm Ballymun
https://www.facebook.com/TheCityFarmBallymun
The City Farm Ballymun
The City Farm Ballymun
https://www.facebook.com/TheCityFarmBallymun
The City Farm Ballymun
The City Farm Ballymun
https://www.facebook.com/TheCityFarmBallymun
The City Farm Ballymun
The City Farm Ballymun
https://www.facebook.com/TheCityFarmBallymun
The City Farm Ballymun
The City Farm Ballymun
https://www.facebook.com/TheCityFarmBallymun
The City Farm Ballymun
The City Farm Ballymun
https://www.facebook.com/TheCityFarmBallymun
The City Farm Ballymun
The City Farm Ballymun
https://www.facebook.com/TheCityFarmBallymun
The City Farm Ballymun
The City Farm Ballymun
https://www.facebook.com/TheCityFarmBallymun