Tallinn aims to enhance residents' environmental awareness and biodiversity through community initiatives and collaboration by supporting urban gardening and environmental projects. This year, a total of €458,000 will be distributed across three funding rounds.

“To create a good living environment, each of us can do something, and that is why the City of Tallinn supports good initiatives. Community gardens are great places where neighbors can grow edible plants together, learn to care for nature, and build good relationships,” said Tallinn’s Deputy Mayor Pärtel-Peeter Pere.

Interest in urban gardening in Tallinn has grown year by year and appeals to residents of various ages and backgrounds. “Experience shows that growing useful plants in the city has a positive impact both on the gardeners themselves and the city as a whole—promoting neighborly and eco-friendly thinking while preserving the biodiversity of urban nature,” said Maria Derlõš, community gardens project manager at Tallinn Urban Environment and Public Works Department. There are now urban gardens in every district of Tallinn, with over 200 gardens in total, including 46 community gardens and nearly 190 educational gardens. To support the continued development of urban gardening, two grant rounds are now open.

Until February 3, legal entities (e.g., housing associations, non-profit organizations, businesses, private schools, and kindergartens) can apply for funding for community gardens, educational gardens for private institutions, or other urban gardening projects. The budget for this grant round is €175,000.

Until February 17, Tallinn’s municipal agencies and their subordinate institutions (schools, kindergartens, youth centers, libraries, museums, care homes, etc.) can apply for funding for educational gardens. The budget for this grant round is €183,000.

Both grant rounds welcome applications for the development of existing urban gardens or the establishment of new ones. Funding can be used to purchase plants, materials, tools, and equipment, as well as to organize urban gardening and other environmental education activities (group events, community clean-ups, lectures, etc.).

Until March 3, legal entities (e.g., non-profits, businesses, housing associations, civic organizations, neighborhood societies) can apply for funding to implement environmental projects. This grant round welcomes a variety of projects aimed at raising environmental awareness and addressing biodiversity, water protection, air quality improvement, noise reduction, and climate change. The budget for this round is €100,000.

“The most effective way to increase environmental awareness among city residents is to involve them in practical activities. This year, the total funding for environmental grants has doubled compared to last year. For example, grant funds can be used to organize community nature projects that make a tangible contribution to urban nature and provide an opportunity to learn more about it. Additionally, we support organizing themed nature trips, workshops, and educational days,” said Meelis Uustal, head of the Environmental Management Department at Tallinn Urban Environment and Public Works Department.

Tallinn Urban Environment and Public Works Department will host an online information session on January 20 at 5 PM to introduce the conditions and application process for all grant rounds. Anyone interested is welcome to join and ask questions.

Information on joining the info session, along with grant conditions, materials, and contacts, can be found at www.tallinn.ee/kekotoetused (in Estonian).