The City of Sarajevo, as one of the partner cities of the URBACT program, has been recognized as a bearer of good practice thanks to the project of the first Urban Garden with sensory elements in Sarajevo. This award for good practice was granted through the URBACT call, which lasted from April to June 2024, and for which the City applied with the project of the Urban Garden with sensory elements. A panel of experts selected examples of innovative and sustainable solutions, including the City of Sarajevo's project.
The URBACT program, supported by EU member states, the European Commission, and other institutions, aims to promote sustainable and inclusive urban practices in European cities. With this recognition, Sarajevo has become part of a network that brings together cities dedicated to developing green and accessible urban spaces for all citizens, with an emphasis on social inclusion and environmental preservation.
The Urban Garden with sensory elements, located in the courtyard of the Secondary School for Vocational Education and Training, represents a pioneering initiative that promotes intergenerational connection with nature, offering a space for recreation, education, and social integration tailored to the needs of all visitors, including children with developmental disabilities. Through the integration of sensory elements and local vegetation, this garden contributes to ecological awareness, enhances biodiversity, and reduces water consumption by utilizing unused urban spaces. The establishment of the Urban Garden is a joint venture of the Sarajevo Regional Development Agency (SERDE), UNDP BiH, the Secondary School, and the Municipality of Novo Sarajevo.
The recognition that Sarajevo has received through the URBACT program brings additional visibility to the City’s efforts in creating sustainable and inclusive spaces. Sarajevo, along with other European cities, will present this initiative at the URBACT City Festival in Wrocław in April 2025, where experiences will be exchanged and new ideas for future projects will be inspired.
