MOJU – Associação Movimento Juvenil in Olhão is challenging young people in the Algarve to create mini community gardens in their homes to supply their families, but also other households, within the scope of the “Planta 1 Doa + 1” project.
This is a youth volunteer initiative, “innovative at the local level, with the objectives of encouraging the production of essential food at home, strengthening the circular economy and encouraging civic participation”.
The project will start on the 1st of June and end on the 21st of July, "mostly in an online format" and is aimed at young people aged between 14 and 30 years old. Interested parties may apply online until May 22, 2020.
«In the first week, volunteers receive training to start their gardens and to understand the needs of each family, in order to promote the necessary materials and in sufficient quantity to sow for their family and also to sow another part which will be donated to marked families. After analyzing the needs, the starter kits for the garden will be delivered to volunteers by the association», described the MOJU, which promotes the project as part of an application to the Geração Z program of the Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth.
Catarina Arraes, president of the MOJU, explains that the aim is “that the volunteers have as little expense as possible. Despite receiving a volunteer allowance for expenses, it is important to emphasize that we are in a pandemic era and many of the young people are struggling. There are those who have a house, a family with difficulties, descendants,… therefore, we do not want the gardens to have too many associated expenses, so they can focus on this learning and civic duty instead of the costs it entails».
During the project, challenges and topics for debate will be given: daily a photographic capture will be made of the tasks performed by the young people; weekly meetings will be held to share the process and leave challenges to be carried out (a fertilizer, natural insecticide, etc.); topics for debate on social entrepreneurship will also be launched (youth dynamics in the municipality, exchange of ideas to minimize the impact of the pandemic at the local level, etc.).
“Much more than planting and giving, we also want to promote social entrepreneurship skills,” says the president of MOJU.
«We have many activities to occupy the free time for children and young people, it is true, but there are few organizations that do it for free and with the specific objective of empowering young people in the municipality. It is important to give young people opportunities to participate in debates, promote self-discovery, initiative, critical thinking and autonomy. Not only creating activities for young people but working with them, understanding their needs and dreams and then creating with them solutions for the gaps they feel», concluded Catarina Arraes, whose thesis she developed to become a master in Economics of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, he focused on social entrepreneurship in Olhão.
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