The Institute of Horticulture is launching a new Interreg Baltic Sea Region programme project “Interactive gardens” as a partner
The Institute of Horticulture is launching a new Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme project “Interactive gardens” as a partner to create an interactive public garden system with innovative public garden services tailored to public health, well-being and education.
Last week, project partners from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland and Denmark arrived at the National Botanical Garden in Salaspils to get to know each other at the opening event, discuss the progress of the project and ceremonially open the beginning of the "Interactive gardens".
Pictured: Project cooperation partners from the Zemgale Planning Region, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Tukums Municipality, Dobele Municipality and the Institute of Horticulture (ZPR publicity photo).
“ The project will involve scientific and research institutions, universities, municipalities and the planning region. Each of the partners has their own unique experience to share with others. For example, Vidzeme University College will develop a virtual model of the garden in the project, partners from Klaipėda have experience in using Japanese gardens in therapy, Aarhus University College (Denmark), the Natural Resources Institute (Finland) and the Horticulture Institute (Latvia) will share their research experience and opportunities. Several gardens in Zemgale will become more attractive and interactive for visitors ,” comments Sigita Šiļvjane, project manager of the Zemgale planning region, on the partners’ contribution to the project.
The main task of the project is to develop an interactive nature garden concept, taking into account social needs and the diversity of local territories. The project results are intended for the strengthening of state, research and educational institutions, as well as public groups that use public garden services, stakeholders and their communities, as well as for strengthening EU strategies and Baltic Sea Region policies.
The project aims to create an interactive public garden system that, with its complementary components, will provide information on how to plan and develop improvements. Feedback opportunities will be provided in public gardens with the possibility of remote and virtual visualization (virtual model garden) and live experience (real demonstration garden). The virtual model garden will include both visualization of garden elements and environmental processes. Its initial goal is to convey information in an easily understandable way with the aim of facilitating the planning of garden improvements and facilitating communication between public institutions and community groups. Demonstration gardens will help to explore community needs and offer supportive garden services to a wide audience.
From Latvia, the Zemgale Planning Region, Vidzeme University College, Tukums Municipality, Dobele Municipality, as well as us - the Institute of Horticulture, will work on this project.
The Institute's leading researcher Daina Feldmane emphasizes that the project should result in a stronger core of gardens in the Baltic States, which would naturally continue to expand after the end of the project: " With the help of the project, we will be able to expand cooperation networks, become more popular and accessible. We will strengthen the gardens available to the public, the cooperation between them, their users, creators and creators. Using modern technologies, such as virtual and digital tools, we will also become more interesting for the new generation, because young people perceive information differently ." D. Feldmane also says that the Horticultural Institute plans to continue improving and modernizing the institute's garden in the project in order to be able to better disseminate the knowledge gained. A well-maintained and strengthened institute garden will also help in future activities, such as conducting research in such areas as environmentally friendly growing techniques, historical varieties and smart technologies.
Project No. C036 “Integrated system for interactive development of public gardens in the Baltic Sea Region” or “Interactive gardens” is being implemented within the Baltic Sea Region Programme for 2021-2027. The total funding of the project is 2,790,120, including ERDF co-financing of 2,232,096 euros.
www.interreg-baltic.eu / www.europa.eu
This publication has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the Zemgale Planning Region and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the official position of the European Union.
