LITTLE GARDENS
BIG IMPACT
Input
Experienced team with expertise in strategy development, organizational consulting and project development
Many years of practical experience in working with educational and social projects for disadvantaged children and young people
Time and personnel resources for continuous support, advice and project implementation
Access to a broad network of professionals, volunteers, cooperation partners and funders
Materials and infrastructure
Output
Implementation of six workshop units in three institutions:
WS 1: Connection between climate change and nutrition
WS 2: CO₂ savings potential through alternative nutrition
WS 3: Raised bed planning + Garden AG foundation
WS 4: Raised bed construction
WS 5: Recipe development taking cultural diversity into account
WS 6: Interactive final dinner with parents and staff / distribution of accompanying materials
Output
Implementation of six workshop units in three institutions:
WS 1: Connection between climate change and nutrition
WS 2: CO₂ savings potential through alternative nutrition
WS 3: Raised bed planning + Garden AG foundation
WS 4: Raised bed construction
WS 5: Recipe development taking cultural diversity into account
WS 6: Interactive final dinner with parents and staff / distribution of accompanying materials
Outcome
Children, parents and professionals are made aware of sustainable nutrition.
Young people are prepared for challenges such as environmental changes and food shortages.
Children learn sustainable nutritional solutions that are suitable for everyday use.
Socially disadvantaged families gain access to knowledge about healthy nutrition.
Outcome
Children, parents and professionals are made aware of sustainable nutrition.
Young people are prepared for challenges such as environmental changes and food shortages.
Children learn sustainable nutritional solutions that are suitable for everyday use.
Socially disadvantaged families gain access to knowledge about healthy nutrition.
Impact
Environmental and health awareness is permanently anchored in the children's everyday lives and transferred to other institutions.
Contribution to CO₂ reduction in the food sector through changed behaviors in target groups.
Impact
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Environmental and health awareness is permanently anchored in the children's everyday lives and transferred to other institutions.
-
Contribution to CO₂ reduction in the food sector through changed behaviors in target groups.
Input
Experienced team with expertise in strategy development, organizational consulting and project development
Many years of practical experience in working with educational and social projects for disadvantaged children and young people
Time and personnel resources for continuous support, advice and project implementation
Access to a broad network of professionals, volunteers, cooperation partners and funders
Materials and infrastructure
What children, climate and a raised garden bed have in common
Task: Children aged 8 to 11 from socially disadvantaged families need targeted educational opportunities that teach them sustainable nutrition and environmental awareness in a practical way – to enable them to actively contribute to climate protection.
Challenge: Child and youth facilities often lack access to nutrition education and practical solutions that help overcome social inequalities. Children from disadvantaged families often have few opportunities to learn about nutrition awareness or to make their environment more ecological, which has long-term consequences for their health and their ability to act toward sustainability.
Solution: IMPCT gGmbH, together with the Hamburg-based institutions Haus der Familie St. Pauli and Löwenhaus Harburg, developed and implemented the project "Small Gardens, Big Impact." In six interactive workshops, children learned through play how meat consumption and regional nutrition influence the climate, how vegetables grow, how raised beds are planned and built, and how healthy, sustainable recipes are developed that incorporate cultural diversity. Parents and educators were actively involved to sustain the impact and integrate sustainable nutrition into everyday life.
Implementation: Between April and October 2025, IMPCT experts conducted the workshops at the two facilities. The methodological foundation was experiential learning, which emphasizes action and experience. Supporting materials such as nutrition calendars for families and care plans for professionals were provided to firmly embed sustainability. Close collaboration with the educational teams and support from parents were key success factors. The project was funded by the Homann Foundation, the KNG HNUI Foundation, the SAGA GWG Foundation for Neighborhood, Budnianer Hilfe eV, and the Erlebnis-Abenteuer Foundation, and received content support from Moin Stadtnatur.
Impact: The children developed a fundamental understanding of the connection between nutrition and climate protection. They learned how sustainable food begins right on their doorstep – in their own raised garden. The experts rated the project as educationally valuable and practical, although they pointed out staffing challenges and the need for long-term support. The materials and experiences developed provide valuable inspiration for future educational projects.
