projects

Connecting with nature for healthier, more resilient communities

Completed
A man and a woman lean over a raised garden bed full of plants.
UNHCR Poland is is working with displaced communities in Krakow to increase access to community nature activities, to leverage the benefits of green spaces for mental and physical wellbeing. Photo: UNHCR Poland.
Programme
UNHCR Innovation Incubator
Fund
Environment and Climate Action Innovation Fund | Incubator
Start Date
Total Project Cost
USD 113,074.000
Country
Poland
Project Team
UNHCR Poland , IBP

Challenge

Among Ukrainian refugees’ critical needs is mental health support to manage stress, adaptation, trauma. Few have accessed specialized care, due to lack of availability and stigma and, although Poland’s solidarity toward Ukrainian refugees has been exemplary, signs of compassion fatigue are starting to emerge, leading to increasing tensions.

Solution

Based on emerging evidence of the impact of green spaces on mental and physical wellbeing, UNHCR will establish diverse, multigenerational nature and gardening clubs, implement quick-impact green projects with local stakeholders, and hold citywide activities that foster human connections and build more inclusive communities.

Impact

This approach will harness the potential of community gardens as a vehicle for protection, bringing together 650 refugees and hosts from diverse demographics to improve wellbeing, strengthen resilience, and grow support networks. It will green urban spaces, promote dialogue, follow a skills-for-psychosocial-recovery strategy, and monitor impacts.

Project impact

4
community gardens established, bringing together refugees & host communities
350+
people participating in urban nature activities, supporting integration & mental wellbeing
1
Refugee Reference Group formed with people with disabilities to ensure inclusive design

Other information

The project pioneered a wellbeing framework used to assess the impact of the activities on factors that impact mental health. Preliminary evaluations showed that 53% of participants had improved wellbeing across the areas measured by the framework.
 
An accessibility checklist was developed with the Refugee Reference Group established for the project, which was used to assess existing community and social gardens across Krakow, with recommendations given to the municipality to improve access for both refugees and people with disabilities.
 
Read more about this project, and other initiatives working to innovate around refugees' mental health, in our webstory.