In the garden: capacities that contribute to community groups establishing community gardens

ABSTRACT

Based on case studies in Dublin, Ireland, this paper examines the motives for individuals to establish community gardens therein. The paper also outlines the capacities required for community groups to successfully establish and sustain community gardens in Ireland. These capacities include the involvement of individuals with a range of expertise, the presence of supportive community groups/organisations and state agencies, and access to resources, including land. The research findings, detailed in this paper, indicate that community gardens in urban settings encounter a number of challenges, including the absence of a mechanism for community groups to access land. The article provides a framework for community groups and community organisations to develop community gardens.

KEYWORDS:

• Capacity
• collaboration
• community gardens
• expertise
• tenure

Acknowldgement

The author is grateful to the Golden Jubilee Trust Fund for sponsoring his PhD.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. The index provides a method of measuring the relative affluence or disadvantage of a particular geographical area using data compiled from various censuses. A score is given to an area based on a national average of zero and ranging from approximately −40 (being the most disadvantaged) to +40 (being the most affluent).

2. Electoral Divisions (EDs) are the smallest legally defined administrative areas in the State for which Small Area Population Statistics (SAPS) are published from the Census. http://census.cso.ie/censusasp/saps/boundaries/eds_bound.htm

3. An Taisce is a charity which aims to conserve Ireland’s natural environment and built environment.

4. The Ballyfermot Chapelizod Partnership is one of 38 local development companies in Ireland established to address unemployment and disadvantage within a designated catchment area.

5. Community Employment is an employment programme which helps long-term unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return-to-work routine. The programme assists them to enhance and develop both their technical and personal skills which can then be used in the workplace.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Golden Jubilee Trust.

Notes on contributors

Gerard Doyle

The author has 27 years’ experience of working in community development and social enterprise development. He has worked for an area based partnership company, a community development network in five communities in Waterford City, and Waterford LEDC, Ireland’s first not-for-profit company involving the community and the corporate sector. He is currently a lecturer in Environment and Planning, Technological University Dublin. He holds an MSc in Local Economic Development from the University of Glasgow. In 2020, he was awarded a PhD on the role social enterprise can play in the transition to more sustainable local economies. He has published several articles in peer-reviewed international journals including the Journal of Resources, Conservation and Recycling and the Journal of Co-operative Studies.