Allotments as pioneers of sustainability
The European Week for Waste Reduction is an initiative that takes place every year in November and raises awareness of the responsible use of resources. The aim is to prevent waste before it is created – through smart everyday decisions, sustainable consumption habits and creative solutions.
Allotments play a key role in this. They are not only places of relaxation but also centres for environmentally conscious action. Here, the circular economy is put into practice:
• Composting instead of waste – garden waste is turned into valuable humus that nourishes the soil and replaces chemical fertilisers.
• Home-grown produce instead of packaging waste – fruit and vegetables from your own garden reduce plastic packaging and transport distances.
• Upcycling and reuse – old materials are turned into new beds, climbing aids or decorative elements.
In addition, allotment gardens promote biodiversity and contribute to climate protection: every square metre of green space binds CO₂, provides habitat for insects and supports local biodiversity.
European Waste Reduction Week invites all allotment gardeners to showcase their ideas:
• Compost workshops
• Plant and seed exchanges
• Campaigns to reduce plastic in the garden
This is how a small garden can make a big contribution to a sustainable future.
Attached you will find the resolution adopted by the NGOs participating in the Committee on Environmental and Health Crises of the Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe as a contribution to the summit currently taking place in Belém (Brazil).
The summit addresses challenges that are difficult to solve without joint commitment.
From 21 to 24 August 2025, the study conference of the Fédération Internationale des Jardins Familiaux took place in Tulln an der Donau. Representatives from ten European nations met for an exchange at the seminar centre of the Landesgartenschau "Die Garten Tulln" (Tulln Garden Show).
The theme of this year's study conference, organised by the Austrian association, was: "We are prepared – How we allotment gardeners can respond to today's crises."
Allotment gardeners are an important building block when it comes to climate protection (biodiversity, cooling cities, etc.). They have a broad knowledge of how sustainability not only protects the environment and resources, but also how they can be self-sufficient. All these skills are valuable when it comes to responding to today's crises.
The aim of the study conference was to exchange experiences with international organisations in order to learn from their findings and implement exemplary projects in their own countries.
In addition to intensive exchanges between participants, lectures by specialists from various organisations were also offered in German and English.
Of course, the supporting programme included a special guided tour of "Die Garten Tulln" with its 70 model gardens, so that participants could gain not only theoretical but also practical experience.
An invitation to the Krems an der Donau allotment garden association was also on the programme. During this visit, at which the international allotment garden family received an exceptionally warm welcome, several Austrian associations were delighted to receive international certificates of honour.
Thursday, 21 August – Arrival day
The guests were accommodated in a hotel located 15 minutes' walk from the venue. First, the Fédération Internationale held a board meeting and general assembly in the hotel's conference room. This was followed by a leisurely walk through the picturesque Au to a barbecue evening at the Gaumenweide restaurant in the "Garten Tulln".
Friday, 22 August – Study conference day 1
The study conference opened at 9 a.m. on Friday. The participants were warmly welcomed by the host of Garten Tulln, Managing Director Franz Gruber, MSc. (www.diegartentulln.at)
The first items on the agenda began immediately afterwards. During the "speed date," the nations exchanged views on the challenges and measures in their associations.
Furthermore, the head of the seed archive at "Arche Noah", Mag.a Michaela Arndorfer, presented her lecture "Plant Kingdom in a Small Area". (www.arche-noah.at)
After lunch together, the series of presentations, held in both German and English, continued.
The director of CITY FARM Vienna, Dipl. Ing. Wolfgang Palme, impressed with his presentation "4-Season Gardening" on the possibilities of year-round garden use. (www.cityfarm.wien)
Florian Binder, biodiversity officer at the Austrian Central Association, gave the audience an understanding of the "climate-friendly garden" through implementation ideas.
The final item on the agenda was a guided tour of "Die Garten Tulln". In Europe's first exclusively ecologically maintained and designed garden show, interested visitors can find practical suggestions, ideas and inspiration for designing their own gardens in the 70 model gardens.
A successful first day of the study conference ended with a joint dinner at the Gaumenweide restaurant. (www.gaumenweide.at)
Saturday, 23 August – Study conference day 2
The second day began at 9 a.m. with further presentations and subsequent discussions among the international guests.
Ms Margit Benes-Oeller from the Lower Austrian state association "Natur im Garten" gave a very informative presentation on "water management" in the garden. (www.naturimgarten.at)
Guido Beneke, managing director of the Lower Saxony Association of Gardeners, focused his presentation on allotment gardens as a meeting place for different generations, as well as the resulting challenges and solutions. (www.deutsche-schreberjugend.de)
After lunch together, Marius Monen from Avans University of Applied Sciences concluded the series of presentations with his analysis of "How allotment gardeners can contribute to innovative solutions for resilient urban green spaces."
Next on the agenda was a visit to the "Krems an der Donau" allotment garden site (www.kgv-krems.at). The international guests were warmly welcomed and invited to take a tour of the site. They were divided into two groups and were able to explore the gardens. This resulted in numerous personal conversations and insights into the lovingly designed plots.
The convivial setting at the clubhouse was also used to present the Fédération Internationale des Jardins Familiaux's certificates of honour to deserving clubs.
From Linz, the "Eisenbahner Kleingartenverein" association received the certificate of honour for nature-friendly gardening and the "Auwiesen I" association for social activities. Both honours were accepted by the president of the Upper Austrian Allotment Gardeners' Association, Josef Reisinger.
The "Groß Jedlersdorf" association was delighted to receive the international award for innovative projects. The award was presented directly to Ernest Kern, chairman of the association from Vienna Floridsdorf.
Last but not least, the ladies of the "Frauenfachgruppe Floridsdorf" (Floridsdorf Women's Group) were also awarded a certificate of honour for social activities. For many years, their commitment to good causes has made them an important part of the allotment garden family. The award was accepted by the visibly moved new chairwoman of the women's group, Gerda Grach.
On the way back from Krems to Tulln, the conference guests stopped at a typical wine tavern and were able to enjoy a cosy end to their last evening. (www.weinschenke-korntheuer.at)
Sunday, 24 August – Departure day
After breakfast and a general meeting at the hotel, it was time to say goodbye to Tulln. The visibly satisfied participants took many impressions and experiences back to their national associations with them to strengthen the international allotment garden family.
The Bundesverband der Kleingartenvereine Deutschlands e. V. (BKD) (formerly Bundesverband Deutscher Gartenfreunde e. V., BDG), the umbrella organisation of the allotment garden movement in Germany, awards the science prize every four years to scientists and students who deal with the allotment garden movement and forward-looking ideas on the ecological, urban planning and social function of allotment gardens.
Research in the fields of urban, regional and landscape planning, horticultural sciences, climate geography, landscape ecology, nature and environmental protection as well as health and nutrition is required.
The next deadline for entries is 31 March 2027, so in theory there is still plenty of time to get started on one or two new research projects!
• Teams of scientists and students, editors or the authors themselves are eligible to enter.
• Prize money totalling 5,000 euros is available to honour the work.
• The BKD also expressly welcomes English-language works! The works for the current competition must be from the period 2023 to 2027
Further information can be found in the appendix and at
https://kleingarten-bund.de/veranstaltungen/wettbewerbe/wissenschaftspreis-2/
We would be delighted if you could help us publicise the BKD Science Award among interested parties - whether on your website, as a notice or via your social media channels.
For this purpose, we provide you with graphic templates in the appendix . You are welcome to use the short text:
The Bundesverband der Kleingartenvereine Deutschlands e. V. (BKD) honours with the BKD Science Prize scientific work that deals with forward-looking ideas on the subject of allotment gardens. Scientists and students can apply for the award
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Yours sincerely
The project team of the science prize
Contact:
Federal Federation of German Allotment Garden Associations e. V.
wissenschaftspreis@kleingarten-bund.de
Small gardens – big impact
5th June is World Environment Day – a day that reminds us all how important it is to protect our environment. This year, we would like to highlight the important role that our allotment gardens play in this regard. Especially in times of climate change, species extinction and increasing urbanisation, allotment gardeners make an often underestimated contribution to environmental protection.
Allotment gardens are green oases in the middle of the city: they provide habitats for bees, butterflies, hedgehogs and many other animals. With natural planting, no chemical pesticides and the use of rainwater, allotment gardens are already real biodiversity hotspots.
In addition, allotment gardens are places of learning and encounter. Here, environmental protection can be experienced in a practical way – for children, families and older people. Those who grow their own fruit and vegetables learn first-hand how valuable healthy soil, clean water and functioning ecosystems are.
On World Environment Day, we call on everyone to see our allotments not only as places of retreat, but also as a responsibility. Every square metre counts. With our commitment, we can achieve great things on a small scale.
Allotments are more than just a hobby – they are environmental protection in action.
