1. General information Location and description of the intervention City or FUA Iaşi (FUA) Region Europe Native title of the NBS intervention Gradina Educativa Bucium si Holbani Short description of the intervention The initiative involved the creation of three educational spaces in social service centers for children (Bucium, Ion Holban, Bogdanesti) in Iasi and its peri-urban area that included urban gardens, the development of green spaces, and facilities for sports activities. In the urban gardens, raised and arranged in a circular design, various orchards and food-producing plants were planted, along with bushes and perennial plants introduced in the new green spaces. Additionally, benches, workshop stations, a volleyball court, and a ping-pong table were constructed alongside the green areas. The initiative was implemented by the NGO "Asociatia Outventure" and financed through the "In stare de Bine" program, funded by Kaufland Romania and managed by the Fundatia Pentru Dezvoltarea Societatii Civile (Foundation for the Development of Civil Society). The project also included training for permanent volunteers involved in the initiative and conducted 16 thematic workshops on healthy living and ecological behaviors. The primary target group for the initiative was children and young people at risk of social exclusion, whose circumstances worsened after the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective was to provide them with "an alternative space to develop their personalities, as well as the necessary tools to adopt a healthy lifestyle in harmony with the surrounding environment." The project had a budget of 22,127 euros and was implemented over the span of six months. (1-5) Website of the intervention https://instaredebine.ro/plantam-seminte-de-responsabilizare-contribuim-la-inte… Principal problems Land use and Socio-economic change Limited economic opportunities and local livelihoods Unequal availability and access to public green spaces Health, Well-being and Social cohesion Mental health issues (stress, anxiety) Inadequate access to recreational opportunities Disconnection from nature Social fragmentation and isolation Implementation area characterization Climate Continental (Cold-summer humid continental, Cold-winter dry continental, Cold-summer dry continental) Ecosystem Urban or built environment Address Str. Pantelimon Halipa, 16 700614 Iaşi Romania Location The NBS is a city-wide initiative, the GIS point marks the centre of the city Area boundary (map-based) Area description Urban (main city) Other urban area outside city center (e.g. another municipality in the FUA, commuting zone) Type of area before implementation of the NBS Vacant or abandoned land Timeline of intervention Start date of the intervention (planning process) 2022 Start date of intervention (implementation process) 2022 End date of the intervention 2023 Present stage of the intervention Completed 2. Objectives of the intervention Objectives of the intervention Goals of the intervention To create an alternative space (3 urban gardens ) for children and young people at risk of exclusion to develop their personalities through biodiversity education, leisure and recreation, while providing green spaces for their development. To engage the surrounding community in volunteering and ecological behavior programs, including the children in the management, care, and implementation of the gardens. To increase social interaction among children and young people at risk and improve their integration into the community (including mental health discussions and improvement). To promote healthy lifestyles and ecological behaviors among young people. To provide healthy and free nutritional sources for children and young people at risk of exclusion. (1-5) Key Priorities Social Justice and community Sustainability challenge(s) addressed Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15) Green space creation and/or management Health and well-being (SDG 3) Creation of opportunities for recreation Improving mental health 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 Sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12) Sustainable consumption Sustainable production Mental health and well-being objectives Improve the integration of the children and young people in the community and deal with their isolation and possible exclusion (1 - 5). Mental health and well-being activities A series of 16 workshops in the green spaces implemented, some of them dealing with emotional issues (1 & 5). Implementation activities and NBS focus Implementation activities 1. Creating three educational spaces for 115 children and young people in social service centers (1 -5). These spaces included food-producing urban gardens, providing nutrition for the children and fostering ecological behaviour (1 - 5). They were also arranged circularly and designed so it would be possible to sit on them, so they would also be spaces for social interaction, leisure and relaxation, as spaces for alternative ways for personality development (1-5). 2. Designing and conducting 16 educational workshops dealing with emotional issues, practical skills related to ecological attitudes and behaviours, and biodiveristy education for the children to promote healthy lifestyles for them and improve the social interaction and involvement in the community (1 - 5). 3. Organise two opening events in the green spaces created where 30 community members were invited to promote community engagement in the centers and with the children (3). 4. Implement vounteer-training programs to ensure the adequate implementation of the spaces and the workshops (1). 5. Plant nearby perennial and bush plant species to increment contact with nature and foster ecological lifestyles (1). Task the children with the care of the plants for their maintenance (2). 6. Construct and arrange a volley field, a table tennis, and other recreational and sport facilities to promote healthy lifestyles and alternative spaces for recreation (1 to 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 Improved governance of green or blue areas Establishment of inclusive governance mechanisms involving local communities 3. NBS domains, ES and scale NBS domain and interventions Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented Community gardens and allotments Community gardens Horticulture Amenities offered by the NBS Benches and drinking water stations Playgrounds Sports areas and equipment Design elements for well-being Visual elements (e.g., expansive views, scenic views, natural light, diverse vegetation) Olfactory elements (e.g., floral scents, earthy smells) Services Expected ecosystem services delivered Provisioning services Food for human consumption (crops, vegetables) Cultural services Recreation Mental and physical health and wellbeing 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 The children and young people from the social service centers are described as dealing with integration issues, educational drop-out, and also coming from socio-economical difficult contexts, especially after the Covid pandemic (1 & 4). The three targeted social centers are spread through 3 locations (5). Bucium is considered a district with high levels of pollution and is negatively regarded by the citizens (6 & 7). Nicolina, on the other hand, does better in terms of pollution but the cost of life is higher and has 45,000 inhabitants (8). Bogdanesti has a population of a bit more than 500 people, and in its commune (Horlesti) the age groups between 10-19 years old and 40-49 years old are the highest ones, slightly above national averages and with less people in the older age groups (9). Socio-economic profile of the area Low-income Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts Unknown Non-government actors Non-governmental organisation (NGO) / Civil society / Churches Primary Beneficiaries Citizens or community groups Young people and children Specify primary beneficiaries Citizens or community groups: "(...) the inauguration of the 2 gardens and the involvement of 30 members from the local community in getting to know the young people and the concepts promoted by the project" (3). Young people and children: "The Outventure team aims to make a positive contribution to the evolutionary path of young people living in two social centers in Iași, by creating alternative spaces for personality development" (4). Marginalized groups Children, young people or youth groups Measures for inclusion of marginalised groups The green and recreational spaces created were directed towards youth groups, as well as the educational workshops (1 to 5). Additionally, the youth groups were put in charge of the management of the urban gardens once they were implemented (2). Other beneficiaries Public health (e.g. increased physical activity opportunities, reduced stress) 4. Governance and financing 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 The project was led by the Outventure Association which implemented the green and recreational spaces, prepared and conducted the workshops (1 - 5). The company Kaufland Romania provided the funds for the programme "In Stare the Bine", coordinated by the NGO Fundatia pentru Dezvoltarea Societatii Civile, who helped implementing the project by granting the fund (1 - 4). Children and young people in the social centers (public institution) participated in the activities and helped implementing the gardens, and citizens and member of the community attended the opening of the urban garden and new spaces (3). Key actors - initiating organization Non-government organisation/civil society Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors) Public sector institution Non-government organisation/civil society Citizens or community group Private sector/corporate actor/company Stages of citizen and community engagement On-the-ground implementation 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 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) Dissemination of information and education Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting) Co-management/Joint management Uncommon actors ("Missing actors") Other Please specify other missing actor Social centers (1) Land owners Other Please specify other landowner Social Service Centers (1) 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 Unknown Mandatory or voluntary intervention Voluntary (spontaneous) Enablers & Barriers Type of enablers Governance innovations (such as public private partnerships) Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city) Please provide details (e.g, name of the plan or strategy) for the selected policies or initiatives. Partnership between Kaufland and Fundatia pentru Dezvoltarea Societatii Civile to coordinate funds for the implementation of non-governmental development projects (10). Governace and decison-making instruments Economic and fiscal instruments (e.g. subsidies or grants, charges or fees, payments for ecosystem services (PES)) Public - private business agreement (e.g. public private collaborations, public-private-partnerships (PPP)) Educational and knowledge sharing instruments (e.g. science/ living labs, awareness raising campaigns, specific educational programs, green hubs) Arrangements for governance cooperation Unknown Barriers Unknown. Financing Total cost €10,000 - €50,000 Please specify total cost (EUR) 22,127 (4). What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements? Unknown. Source(s) of funding Corporate investment Funds provided by non-governmental organization (NGO) Type of fund(s) used Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities) Non-financial contribution Yes Who provided the non-financial contribution? Citizens (e.g. volunteering) Type of non-financial contribution Provision of labour Co-finance for NBS Yes Co-governance arrangement An NGO Entrepreneurship opportunities No Business models Business models Local stewardship model Green education model Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model? Private non-for-profit actor (e.g. NGO, foundation) 5. Evaluation and learning Impacts, benefits Environmental impacts Green space and habitat Increased green space area Achieved increased green space area Description of environmental benefits -Achieved increased green space area: "These spaces composed of sports infrastructure elements (volleyball net, tennis tables, basketball hoops), elevated circular gardens, designed as sitting spaces, with edible plants and pavilion-type structures" (3). Economic impacts Increase in agricultural production (for profit or not) Expected increase in agricultural production (for profit or not) Description of economic benefits -Expected increase in agricultural production (for profit or not): "Institutionalized youths enjoy the locations laid out in the form of edible gardens, which also include sports facilities" (1). Social and cultural impacts Social justice and cohesion Improved social cohesion Achieved improved social cohesion Improved access to urban green space Achieved improved access to urban green space Increased visibility and opportunity for marginalised groups or indigenous peoples Achieved increased visibility and opportunity for marginalised groups or indigenous peoples Increased opportunities for social interaction Achieved increased opportunities for social interaction Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces Achieved increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces Increased access to healthy/affordable food Expected increased access to healthy/affordable food Health and wellbeing Gain in activities for recreation and exercise Achieved gain in activities for recreation and exercise Improved mental health Achieved improved mental health Supporting ill-health communities facing loneliness, anxitey or depression Achieved supporting ill-health communities facing loneliness, anxitey or depression Education Increased knowledge of locals about local nature Achieved increased knowledge of locals about local nature Social and cultural impact indicators Number of participants in outdoor activities or exercise programs in green spaces 115 Number of community events, gatherings, or volunteer activities organized in green spaces 18 Number of environmental education programs, workshops, outreach activities (eg. in schools, community centers, public spaces) 16 Description of social and cultural benefits -Achieved improved social cohesion: "However, we believe that we managed to open some doors to a large part of the young people who sat down at the table of open conversations with us" (5). -Achieved improved access to urban green space: ""Institutionalized youths enjoy the locations laid out in the form of edible gardens, which also include sports facilities" (1). -Achieved increased visibility and opportunity for marginalised groups or indigenous peoples: "(...) conducting a number of 16 thematic workshops that consist in acquiring some healthy life principles and organizing 2 open sessions in the created educational gardens" (3). -Achieved increased opportunities for social interaction: ""(...) conducting a number of 16 thematic workshops that consist in acquiring some healthy life principles and organizing 2 open sessions in the created educational gardens" (3). -Achieved increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces: "The inauguration of the 2 gardens and the involvement of 30 members from the local community in getting to know the young people and the concepts promoted by the project" (3). -Expected increased access to healthy/affordable food: "Institutionalized youths enjoy the locations laid out in the form of edible gardens, which also include sports facilities" (1). -Achieved gain in activities for recreation and exercise: "These spaces composed of sports infrastructure elements (volleyball net, tennis tables, basketball hoops)" (3). -Achieved supporting ill-health communities facing loneliness, anxitey or depression: "We believe, however, that our debates have formed a panic button in their subconscious, which they will act upon when necessary. It is everyone's right to know that there is always something savior, somewhere. And the discussions they had are perhaps even their benchmark towards that something" (5). -Achieved increased knowledge of locals about local nature: "In these spaces we will support healthy living workshops such as nutrition and outdoor cooking, gardening, biodiversity and food waste reduction, ecology and ways to manage resources" (3). Mental health benefits Improved mood Evidence for use of assessment Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process Yes Actors involved in the assessment, monitoring or evaluation of NBS impacts Non-government organisation/civil society Presence of indicators used in reporting Yes Type of indicators Outcome indicators 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 No Transparency Inclusion of diverse stakeholders in project governance processes (e.g. planning, implementation, monitoring, etc.) Public disclosure of project funding sources and/or budgets 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 The community expresses positive feedback about the project through social media platforms like Facebook, with comments such as: "You offer children unique and so beautifully thought out and constructed experiences!" and "I know from a reliable source that the place set up by you is always full of children" (11). Trade-offs & Negative impacts 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 No, project goals were not set, and benefits were not delivered in all 3 key areas. Reaching original project goals Most of the project goals were achieved Please specify the achievements of the project goals Social justice and community: -Achieved improved social cohesion: "However, we believe that we managed to open some doors to a large part of the young people who sat down at the table of open conversations with us" (5). -Achieved improved access to urban green space: ""Institutionalized youths enjoy the locations laid out in the form of edible gardens, which also include sports facilities" (1). -Achieved increased visibility and opportunity for marginalised groups or indigenous peoples: "(...) conducting a number of 16 thematic workshops that consist in acquiring some healthy life principles and organizing 2 open sessions in the created educational gardens" (3). -Achieved increased opportunities for social interaction: ""(...) conducting a number of 16 thematic workshops that consist in acquiring some healthy life principles and organizing 2 open sessions in the created educational gardens" (3). -Achieved increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces: "The inauguration of the 2 gardens and the involvement of 30 members from the local community in getting to know the young people and the concepts promoted by the project" (3). -Expected increased access to healthy/affordable food: "Institutionalized youths enjoy the locations laid out in the form of edible gardens, which also include sports facilities" (1). -Achieved gain in activities for recreation and exercise: "These spaces composed of sports infrastructure elements (volleyball net, tennis tables, basketball hoops)" (3). -Achieved supporting ill-health communities facing loneliness, anxitey or depression: "We believe, however, that our debates have formed a panic button in their subconscious, which they will act upon when necessary. It is everyone's right to know that there is always something savior, somewhere. And the discussions they had are perhaps even their benchmark towards that something" (5). -Achieved increased knowledge of locals about local nature: "In these spaces we will support healthy living workshops such as nutrition and outdoor cooking, gardening, biodiversity and food waste reduction, ecology and ways to manage resources" (3). Long-term perspective Unknown: No information about the project's long-term sustainability. Cost-effective solutions No Equitable impacts A. All stakeholders benefit fairly from the project Transformative capacity Social change (e.g. social relationships, networks and dynamics within them) Magnitude of change Incremental: shallow; that is, mostly maintaining business-as-usual approaches to adaptation Application of lessons learned Unknown Perception of Environmental Change Unknown 6. Sources References 1. Ness (n.d.). Grădină educativă la centrul de servicii sociale ”Bucium” - Eroi Urbani. Accessed on September 3, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 2. Asociatia Outventure (2023). Final de proiect – Asociatia Outventure. Accessed on September 3, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 3. Asociatia Outventure (2023). Plantăm semințe de responsabilizare. Contribuim la integrare – Asociatia Outventure. Accessed on September 3, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 4. In Stare de Bine (2022). Plantăm semințe de responsabilizare. Contribuim la integrare - În stare de bine. Accessed on September 3, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 5. Alex Enasescu (2023). "E satisfăcător să faci din nimic, ceva” - Adriana Costin, Asociația Outventure. Iasul Nostru , Accessed on September 3, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 6. Alex Andrei (2019 ). Iaşul, cel mai poluat oraş din România. Valori mai mari în Bucium decât în India - Ziarul de Iaşi - liderul presei ieşene. Ziarul de Iasi , Accessed on September 4, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 7. STORIA (n.d.). Trai STORIA Bucium. Accessed on September 4, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 8. STORIA (n.d.). Trai STORIA Nicolina 1. Accessed on September 4, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 9. Populatia RO (n.d.). Populația Comunei Horlești, Jud. Iași - 2023 _ Populatia.ro. Accessed on September 4, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 10. Fundatia pentru Dezvoltarea Societatii Civile (n.d.). Despre - În stare de bine. Accessed on September 4, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 11. Asociatia Outventure (2023). Am inaugurat și grădina educativă de la... . Facebook , Accessed on September 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; Comments and notes Public Images Image Bucium https://www.iasulnostru.ro/p/e-satisfacator-sa-faci-din-nimic?fbclid=IwY2xjawFD6Z5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHcL4WgRFTRKKCW_aCwZdSMs1YjwmT6ZEA1awXNig-NWY8JQzwpuDf9NkRw_aem_dlaV08nAyJvZrmk4OPoPBg Image Plots of urban gardens https://outventure.ro/proiecte/plantam-seminte-de-responsabilizare-contribuim-la-integrare/ Image Children working https://www.iasulnostru.ro/p/e-satisfacator-sa-faci-din-nimic?fbclid=IwY2xjawFD6Z5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHcL4WgRFTRKKCW_aCwZdSMs1YjwmT6ZEA1awXNig-NWY8JQzwpuDf9NkRw_aem_dlaV08nAyJvZrmk4OPoPBg Image Volunteers constructing urban garden plots https://outventure.ro/proiecte/plantam-seminte-de-responsabilizare-contribuim-la-integrare/
Image Bucium https://www.iasulnostru.ro/p/e-satisfacator-sa-faci-din-nimic?fbclid=IwY2xjawFD6Z5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHcL4WgRFTRKKCW_aCwZdSMs1YjwmT6ZEA1awXNig-NWY8JQzwpuDf9NkRw_aem_dlaV08nAyJvZrmk4OPoPBg
Image Plots of urban gardens https://outventure.ro/proiecte/plantam-seminte-de-responsabilizare-contribuim-la-integrare/
Image Children working https://www.iasulnostru.ro/p/e-satisfacator-sa-faci-din-nimic?fbclid=IwY2xjawFD6Z5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHcL4WgRFTRKKCW_aCwZdSMs1YjwmT6ZEA1awXNig-NWY8JQzwpuDf9NkRw_aem_dlaV08nAyJvZrmk4OPoPBg
Image Volunteers constructing urban garden plots https://outventure.ro/proiecte/plantam-seminte-de-responsabilizare-contribuim-la-integrare/
