Roots of CARE transforms underused green spaces in Thessaloniki and Nessonas, Greece, into vibrant learning hubs where young people lead climate action and community care.
This article is part of a series of stories that explore environmental challenges and youth initiatives in each country and region participating in YouthCARE4planet project in the Mediterranean.
Underused Urban Green Spaces as Places to Promote a Culture of Collective Care by Youth: The Case of the Roots of CARE Project in Thessaloniki and Nessonas, Greece
Roots of CARE (Community Action for Regeneration and Empowerment) is a 9-month youth-led project (October 2025 – June 2026) in Thessaloniki and Nessonas, Greece. It empowers young people to reclaim underused urban green spaces, strengthen social and ecological resilience, and foster a culture of collective care.
The project is inspired by urban agroecology and food forest initiatives such as Parco Ort9 (Rome), Forest Garden (Rotterdam), Falgars Urban Food Forest (Catalonia), and the Incredible Edible network, showing how neglected green spaces can become inclusive learning hubs and youth-led climate action labs.
Roots of CARE addresses challenges that many young people face today, including social isolation, eco-anxiety (stress caused by environmental concerns), degraded urban spaces, and the lack of youth voice in ecological decisions.
The project uses permaculture (designing sustainable agricultural systems inspired by nature), regenerative culture (practices that restore ecosystems), and collective care (mutual support and shared well-being) to help young people become local agents of care, regeneration, and inclusion.
The project mainly targets local youth aged 14–30, including:
Many participants face systemic challenges such as precarious housing, burnout, exclusion from decision-making, and limited access to green spaces. The project provides inclusive, low-barrier activities that build practical skills, foster emotional well-being, and reconnect youth with the land, community, and a sense of purpose.
At the heart of the project is a 4-day residential Mini Ecovillage Design Education (EDE) youth training, held in November 2025 at COB’s eco-learning center and educational permaculture farm in Nessonas. Led by an experienced youth educator from Next GEN Europe, the training explored sustainability across four interconnected dimensions: social, ecological, economic, and worldview. Learning combined reflection, hands-on practice, and group work, with care integrated as a key practice through shared meals, collective responsibilities, and attention to participants’ emotional and physical well-being.
The residency also marked the launch of NextGen Greece, a new national youth network rooted in ecological regeneration, community empowerment, and intersectional solidarity.
Building on this foundation, youth-led seasonal actions take place in Thessaloniki’s Urban Food Forest from December 2025 to May 2026, including:
By connecting rural eco-learning with urban food forests, Roots of CARE creates a living learning ecosystem linking land, city, and community.
👉 Learn more: https://www.instagram.com/nextgen.greece
COB – Greek social cooperative operating a rural eco-learning center and educational permaculture farm in Nessonas, focused on ecological regeneration, sustainable living, and community empowerment.
🌐 www.cob.gr
Mamagaia – Greek environmental organization improving urban life through innovative, community-based, and participatory ecological projects.
🌐 https://mamagea.gr
Last Update
02/02/2026
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