In El Alto, the second largest city in Bolivia, a group of elderly people have transformed a garbage dump into a green patch full of fruit trees and crops. With the support of the project Huertos Urbanos (City Gardens) they want to grow more agroecological crops and better integrate the gardens into neighborhood life.
The Awichas are a group formed and led by older participants. They have their own decision-making processes based on their traditions and needs.
The project manager in La Paz acts as a mediator, providing selective support for the Awichas' projects. The "small garden" is called Ch'uxña Yapuchiri Awichanaka (grandfathers and grandmothers who sow green) and is one of 14 in La Paz that were created thanks to a municipal law in force since 2018 to promote urban gardens.
The project supports a group of older people in their plans to grow and produce food for their own consumption. At the same time, the project also aims to create a space for socializing and mutual support.
Agro-ecological practices are promoted in two urban gardens and intergenerational exchange is strengthened through cooperation with schools and universities. In the medium term, the project would also like to contribute to restarting the use of disused social gardens in El Alto and La Paz.
| Project name | Huertos Urbanos - Community gardens for a better quality of life |
|---|---|
| Project number | 42200 |
| Partner organization: | Comunidad Awicha, perteneciente a la Comunidad Aymaras Urbanos Pampajasi (CAUP) |
| Project participants: | 100 women, men, children and young people |
| Country: | Bolivia |
| Budget: | CHF 10'000 |
| Running time: | 2024 |
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