In spring 2025, the city of Kraków inaugurated an innovative pilot initiative in urban agriculture: the first parcel-based community garden in Poland, developed in cooperation with the municipal greenery authority and local residents. Located on a previously underutilized plot in the Prądnik Biały district, the project marks a significant step forward in citizen-led greening and the democratization of food production in the city.
The garden consists of individually allocated raised beds, managed by citizens, local institutions, and community organizations. Each user is granted access to a plot of land, gardening tools, and water infrastructure. The model promotes long-term engagement, ecological practices, and knowledge-sharing among participants.
The project was initiated and coordinated by the Zarząd Zieleni Miejskiej w Krakowie (Municipal Greenery Authority), which introduced a novel operational framework based on transparency, inclusion, and bottom-up participation. The pilot phase was launched following an open call for participants, which received over 300 applications—demonstrating high local interest in food cultivation and communal green spaces.
In addition to horticultural functions, the garden also serves as a site for informal education and community-building. A dedicated “experimental zone” within the site enables testing of low-tech and sustainable gardening methods, while workshops and co-creation events foster intergenerational dialogue and environmental awareness.
This initiative responds to broader European urban challenges—such as food insecurity, climate adaptation, and social cohesion—by reclaiming public space for collaborative use. As a replicable and scalable model, the garden has already attracted attention from municipalities and institutions across the country.
The project aligns with EU priorities related to the European Green Deal, the Farm to Fork Strategy, and the New European Bauhaus, offering a practical, inclusive, and human-centered approach to urban transition.