Edible Cities

As urban areas face mounting environmental pressures and youth unemployment remains a critical challenge across Europe, how can we rethink our cities to be greener, more inclusive, and full of opportunity?

We aim in this project aims to tackle social exclusion and climate change simultaneously by turning underused urban spaces into productive, community-driven food landscapes.

What is the “Edible Cities” Project?
An “edible city” is an urban environment where food production is integrated into public and private spaces—ranging from community gardens and rooftop farms to edible green facades.

1. This project specifically targets NEET youth (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) and disadvantaged young people, offering them accessible pathways into the green economy. By combining ecological functions with cultural and economic value, the project aligns with major European frameworks like the New European Bauhaus, ensuring that our urban spaces become more sustainable, inclusive, and beautiful.
2. To achieve this, the project will deliver:A Youth Leaders Handbook to help educators engage youth in sustainable practices.
   A Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) teaching practical skills like balcony micro-farming, rooftop gardening, and aquaponics.
   EU-aligned micro-credentials (integrated into Europass) to formally validate the skills young people acquire, boosting their employability.
   Youth-led policy recommendations to give young people a voice in shaping local and European urban strategies.

The “Edible Cities” project is a natural extension of our ongoing work in green education and urban issues. It builds directly on our previous successful initiatives, such as Growing Green Communities and GARDENS as inclusive Green Learning places. Furthermore, Berlin serves as the perfect “Living Lab” for this project. The city’s vibrant ecosystem of urban gardening initiatives (like Prinzessinnengarten and Himmelsbeet) provides a rich landscape for our practical activities. By linking these existing community spaces with structured educational pathways, CRN is translating grassroots sustainability into recognized vocational opportunities for vulnerable youth.