Turn idle urban spaces into small gardens and transform them into a little green oasis
Plants not only fill the stomach but also nourish the soul. Idle community spaces can become healing little gardens in the city. The Taipei City Department of Economic Development is promoting the "Community Garden Promotion Subsidy Program," which not only subsidizes the horticultural materials needed to build a garden but also allows applications for course funding, so that professional instructors can help residents grow a plot of farmland in the city. The subsidy application period runs from now until May 27, with a subsidy cap of 200,000 yuan.
The Taipei City Department of Economic Development stated that this program is now in its 4th year. To encourage the public to use community spaces to connect ecological environment and food and agriculture education issues, and to achieve the effect of sustainable community environmental connections, this year the application process has been specially simplified, and proposal application guidance services are provided to lower the application threshold.
Eligible applicants for the program include community development associations, apartment building management committees, or registered nonprofit groups such as horticulture and community building organizations. It is expected to subsidize 10 new gardens, 15 advanced gardens, and 10 simple maintenance gardens, which can apply for 200,000, 100,000, and 50,000 yuan in funding respectively. The funds can be used not only to purchase horticultural materials needed for the garden (soil, seedlings, tools, garden edging, pots, rainwater recycling, etc.) but also for course instructor fees.
In addition, the Department of Economic Development added that in order to let more people understand the application methods and guidance resources of the program, 2 program briefing sessions will be held on May 3 at the Community Garden Promotion Center and the Hakka Cultural Theme Park. Interested members of the public can go to the site for further inquiries.
