Community gardening: the green heart of the local community
Community gardening is much more than just planting and harvesting crops. It brings people together, revitalizes neglected urban spaces, and strengthens local self-sufficiency with fresh, healthy food. It offers numerous environmental benefits while also encouraging cooperation, mutual support, and a sense of shared responsibility among neighbours, friends, and different generations.
Following the example of successful community gardens around the world, there is a growing number of initiatives in Slovenia that recognize the importance of these green oases in urban and suburban environments. One such project is Passivus, an innovative wooden greenhouse that will be built in Kamnik by the end of 2025. Its aim is to provide a space where local residents can grow plants together, learn new gardening skills, and build a stronger, more connected community.
Community gardens have been proven to improve quality of life. They allow people to grow their own food at minimal cost, reducing dependence on industrial agriculture and long-distance food transport — significantly lowering the carbon footprint, which is especially important in the face of climate change. In addition to providing food, these gardens often serve as a refuge for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, actively preserving local biodiversity, which is essential for a healthy environment.
Such spaces also play an invaluable social role: they serve as natural gathering points for relaxed encounters, collaborative work, and knowledge sharing. Meetings around garden beds encourage spontaneous conversations among neighbours, strengthen community ties, and even help reduce feelings of loneliness and social exclusion. In many areas, the establishment of community gardens has been linked to an increased sense of safety and pride in shared accomplishments.
Passivus is designed with a strong focus on sustainability, respect for nature, and broad community inclusion. Inside the greenhouse, visitors will be able to grow seedlings, vegetables, and herbs year-round, while also using the space as a learning ground for sustainable practices such as composting, smart water use, and utilizing local resources. Built from wood — a natural, renewable material — the greenhouse symbolizes a deep connection between people and nature, as well as a commitment to respecting natural resources.
Community gardening teaches us patience, cooperation, and respect for nature’s rhythm. With every seed planted, we are not only cultivating a garden, but also building a stronger, more connected, and resilient community. Passivus will therefore be more than just a space for gardening — it will be a symbol of a green, collaborative Kamnik and an inspiration for similar projects across Slovenia.
The construction of the community smart greenhouse in Kamnik is also supported by GEN-I as part of the 2024 Sustainability Call. With this support, Passivus will become a concrete example of how a commitment to sustainability and collaboration between businesses and the community can create a greener, healthier, and more connected future for all.
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