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. GWA St. Pauli was able to participate in a third round in 2026 thanks to funding from the Foundation Bildung und Jugend.

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.