Community garden developed by refugees from Syria—A sanctuary and a space for learning and empowerment

Community garden activities strengthened refugee families’ well-being and self-determinationRefugees often face serious social, emotional, and health issues as they resettle into a new country. An intervention program designed to help Syrian refugees in Denmark included the development and implementation of a community garden project. A research component of the project investigated the effects on the health, wellbeing, and social relations of the refugees. A municipality and an educational institution worked together in developing the project, but actively involved refugee families throughout the entire process.

While 21 refugee families were invited to participate in the community garden program, only 13 adults were present during the first few months. Three families (consisting of seven adults and six children) became a dedicated community garden group, with regular attendance at the garden. Four to five families used the garden on a sporadic basis. The design and development of the community garden took place over time, with close collaboration between the project team and the participating families. Shifts in roles and forms of engagement occurred during this process. Three primary principles or values guided the process: promoting recognition, mutual support, and joint decision-making through democratic processes. Field notes, photos, and focus group interviews were the primary sources of data for evaluating the project. The interviews were conducted with three families who regularly participated in the garden activities.

Interview responses indicated that “the garden was a sanctuary” and that it helped the participants develop social competencies. Findings also indicated that gardening and cooking together created a community and enhanced social capital, as well as promoting wellbeing and a sense of belonging. Additionally, the participants “developed language skills and empowerment through mutual interaction, recognition, and collaboration with the project team and the garden’s Danish neighbours.”

This study found that collaboration and joint work in a community garden strengthened refugee families’ general well-being and self-determination. Findings indicate “that community garden activities have a learning and empowerment potential that can bring individuals from everyday life characterised by relative powerlessness, individualization, and loneliness to an increased degree of control over and influence on life circumstances.”