The Karen Community Garden (Grow it Yourself, Ballina) has been awarded the Green Flag Award for 2019. The awards are run by An Taisce and are given out for exceeding tough environmental standards in green community space management within the community.
Robert Moss, the Green Flag Award for Parks manager in the Republic of Ireland, stated, “In terms of urban renewal, and rural and community development, the Green Flag Award for Parks is a logical and sensible step towards supporting community engagement with green space improvement, and helps increase the quality of life within our communities.”
Community garden projects have contributed a great deal to our collective quality of life over the last decade, sometimes in unexpected ways. Their contribution towards community interaction is strengthened by community gardening’s inclusivity. Gardening is one of the few activities that people from all walks of life can engage in.
Ballina Karen Community garden is managed by Ballina Grow It Yourself Group and supported by Mayo North East Leader Partnership Company through the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme and Tús Employment Scheme. The group meet on Tuesday evenings and Friday morning. New voluntary gardeners are welcome. Gardening and growing experience is not necessary.
The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2018-2022 is funded by the Irish Government and co-funded by the European Social Fund and includes a special allocation under the Youth Employment Initiative.
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