Campaign Story

314 Garden Expansion Project

Last year, we started a Permaculture project called 314 Garden — a joint project between Fondacioni Jeshil and SOS Children’s Villages in Kosovo (SOS Village). The goals of 314 Garden are:

• To demonstrate Permaculture design in Kosovo
• To create food production capacity for SOS Village
• To support the growth of SOS Village youth through transfer of skills

It is our aspiration that 314 Garden will serve as inspiration and a model for any other interested individuals, community groups and organisations to create sustainable and resilient communities.

314 Garden is currently partially covering the food needs for SOS Village and, when this project is finalised, it will function as a learnscape (an environment specifically designed for learning — where students of all ages from Pristina can participate in experiential learning that allows them to acquire knowledge and develop life skills).

In the 1st phase of our work, we have created around 100 m2 of raised garden beds, installed a drip-irrigation system and we have planted 90 trees. The greenhouse will primarily serve as a place where seedlings will be grown for the garden, and additionally it will also serve as classroom for hands-on learning and training for youth on various educational and gardening topics.

What do we need for the 2nd phase?

For the 2nd phase we need to install a few elements in the garden to make it more sustainable and accessible for children. Furthermore, the cultivation area for gardening will be expanded, so that food production capacity is increased. For more details, see below: 

1) Set up rainwater harvesting system

Utilising the large collective rooftop area at SOS Village, the rainwater harvesting system will significantly cut the irrigation costs for SOS Village. Such a system will demonstrate an example of sustainable use of water resources. The rainwater harvesting system requires the following elements: water collection tanks, plumbing supplies and installation.

• Water tanks (3,000 lt) x 6 pcs (500 EUR each) = 3,000 EUR  
• PVC pipes (200 m) x 1 EUR = 200 EUR 
• Valves, connectors, filters (15 pcs) x 20 EUR = 300 EUR
• Installation cost = 1,000 EUR

Sub-total budget: 4,500 EUR

2) Fence rehabiliation

The fence of SOS Village is badly damaged and as a result stray dogs can enter unhindered inside the property. As potential danger, the children are concerned about the presence of the dogs and as such often are dissuaded from playing in the garden area. This in turn, is depriving them of access to learn from an enriching and stimulating environment. Rehabilitating the fence will contribute to the safety of the children and staff at SOS Village, as well as give them more access to the garden.

• Wire mesh (285 m2) x 1.5 EUR = 427 EUR
• Poles (65 pcs) x 5 EUR = 325 EUR
• Installation cost = 1,148 EUR

Sub-total budget : 1,900 EUR

3) Maintain and improve existing garden

Improving a garden area is a long-term process because it takes time to build soil biology. 314 Garden system is still developing and as such is still in need of external inputs in order to maintain adequate soil quality. Organic fertilisers such as locally-sourced manure and worm castings will ensure healthy growth for plants. Overtime, as soil biology is developed to a self-maintaining level, the need for external inputs will minimise. Additionally, it is foreseen to divert organic waste generated by SOS Village to compost which will further improve the soil quality for producing nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables. 

• Seeds and seedlings (500 pcs) x 0.5 EUR = 250 EUR
• Fertilisers (manure, worm castings and liquid fertilisers, 7 m3) x 50 EUR = 350 EUR
• Wood chips (4 m3)  x 50 EUR = 200 EUR
• Mulch (straw bales, 50 pcs) x 1.5 EUR = 150 EUR
• Transportation of materials (3 tours) x 50 EUR = 150 EUR
• Labor services (3 days x 2 workers) x 25 EUR/diem = 150 EUR

Sub-total budget: 1,250 EUR

4) Enlarge the cultivation area

We aim to increase the production of healthy food by creating an additional 100 m2 of raised garden beds. Complementing fruit and vegetable production, we have designed a crop garden for staple foods such as potatoes to be available throughout the year. We also wish to plant additional fruit trees and berry bushes. 

• Expansion of 100 m2 of raised garden beds (labour and materials, irrigation, fertilisers, planting materials, etc.) 

Sub-total budget: 1,000 EUR

5) Equiping the greenhouse

The greenhouse serves as a propagation site for seedlings from which to supply the garden beds. The greenhouse will also be used as a space for workshops on various gardening and environmental topics. 

• Seeds, containers and potting substrate = 150 EUR
• Greenhouse potting benches (4 pcs) x 100 EUR = 400 EUR
• Greenhouse shelves (3 pcs) x 100 EUR = 300 EUR

Sub-total budget: 850 EUR

6) Fees

10% Creditcard, banktransfer and KOSOVAideas platform Fees: 1,055 EUR

Total Funding Goal: 10’555 EUR