KRAKOW TRANSNATIONAL MEETING – PART 2

On June 7-8 partners were in Krakow for what turned out to be an outstanding site visit of the urban gardens in the city with the possibility to meet with ULG members, community representatives, gardeners and citizens’ associations. We asked the host Katarzyna Przyjemska-Grzesik to tell us in her own words about the meeting, what better person to give us an insight of the two-day gathering!

This meeting was considered as the “second part” of your Transnational Meeting. Is this due to the fact that Covid-19 did not permit to conduct a Transnational Meeting last year as it was originally imagined? "Yes, we couldn't meet in Krakow last year so we had an online meeting which gave a quick hint of  what Krakow is about. Fortunately, due to the extension of the project till June 2021, we had the chance to meet face to face in Krakow and visit Krakow's community gardens."

How many people attended the meeting in Krakow last 7-8 June? Were all partner cities represented and, if not, did those who could not attend manage to participate online? "Approximately 20 participants (including our ULG members) took part in the meeting here in the city. Unfortunately, the team from Thessaloniki could not join us due to traveling restrictions caused by Covid-19. Other partner cities were represented by one person only as not all partners were fully vaccinated. It was our first real meeting after over a year and a half, so everyone was really happy to meet with each other. For those who didn't manage to join us, we provided online connection for the indoor meetings and discussions."

What sessions were included in the agenda and what activities were foreseen for the two-day gathering? "During the first part of the meeting, we discussed the regulations regarding the community gardens of each partner city - progress, difficulties, actions -  the process that was initiated by the Lead Partner's regulation in 2019. There was of course also time for Steering Committee meeting, and discussions on Management and Dissemination actions. Afterwards, we visited the first two community gardens : Zesławice - very "luxurious" as most of the partners emphasized, which was built as a part of a pocket park, and another urban garden in a completely different style led by the ALLIN foundation, located in the park not far from the old city center. The second day was dedicated to visits to other community gardens - Macierzanki, Klinówka, Salwator. We also visited one of the school gardens from the "Garden with class" project. It gave all of us the chance to feel their diversity. This beautiful meeting was concluded with an event combined with a press conference during which all partners, together with the Deputy Mayor, opened a new community garden. As a sort of RU:RBAN legacy we planted together some herbs and vegetables in raised beds in the garden. This garden is quite exceptional due to its location - in the courtyard of the City Hall. This space we hope will bring together both inhabitants and officials. It will be also used by schools located nearby as an extra "green classroom". "

Could you share with us, in your own words, the key aspects tackled by the representatives from the city of Krakow as their balance of two years of RU:RBAN in your city (highlights of the project according to Krakow city representatives)? What are their thoughts - and yours as well, of course!, their suggestions, the points that worked and those that need further attention? What is the legacy that RU:RBAN leaves in Krakow? "During the last two and a half years a great step forward has been made in Krakow in terms of urban agriculture. When we started, hardly any of the municipality officials realized what community gardens were. Also, the awareness of the importance of urban agriculture was really weak. Meanwhile, the first urban garden was created, new community gardens appeared and, moreover, the awareness on this topic among inhabitants raised significantly. The resolution regarding regulations of community gardening will be approved within the next few weeks, and that means that we'll take this topic to the awareness of city councilors as well. The best proof for the change taking place in Krakow is the new community garden opened in the courtyard of the City Hall, and the words of Deputy Mayor Jerzy Muzyk who emphasized in his speech at the opening of the garden both the importance of the RU:RBAN project for the development of Krakow's community gardens and the importance of urban agriculture in modern cities. There is of course still a lot to do in this field. We have to keep promoting educational activities regarding urban gardens, support inhabitants in creating new gardens, but also pay attention to their inclusiveness that may efficiently support raising awareness on the need for healthy life habits in our society."

Did ULG members from Krakow and other partner cities participate in the meeting? If so, what were their inputs to the discussion? "There were mainly Krakow's ULG members who hosted the visits in community gardens. They shared their experiences with RU:RBAN partners and had the chance to know them better and discuss and compare some aspects of urban gardening."

What, in your opinion, is the impression that participants took home with them after these two days?  "They seemed to be happy with the time spent here. I think they found a lot of inspiration to take back to their countries. For us, it was also a very valuable time. We surprisingly discovered that our gardens can also be inspirational, although they're not many yet. I think that our ULG members were really proud to host our partners in their gardens and to see the interest, and sometimes even amazement in their eyes."

Those of us who could not travel to Krakow thank Katarzyna for her words as she managed to make us feel as if we had, in some way, been in Krakow. A real successful meeting!