6.4 “Grätzlmarie” projects: Focus on the Environment

6. Projects from the Community-building pillar

Lessinggasse school beekeeping project

An open beehive with children’s hands and three children in protective clothing.

Fig. 46: Experiencing nature with the beekeeping project at Lessinggasse Grammar School © GB*/Andrea Vetter

The rooftops of the neighbourhood are abuzz with bees!

As part of their optional module "School beekeeping project", pupils from Lessinggasse Grammar School looked after several beehives on the school roof. In doing so they learned all about bees, beeswax and honey, as well as how to market the harvested products. A "Beehive Open Day" was also held for local residents.

Funding applicant: Paul Rieder and Gerold Fink
Year implemented: 2023

Volkertparadiso urban greening initiative

A wide-angle photograph of a modern building with a grey façade and windows, with a green strip in the street in front of it. A group of people can be seen on the right.

Fig. 47: Volkertparadiso works with local residents to lay out new green areas in the urban space. © Alberto Franceschini

The objective of the community project "Volkertparadiso – from closed road to community green space" was to design, plant and care for the green area between the buildings at Volkertstraße 6 and 8, which was created when a new school was built. Local residents were cordially invited to do some gardening while getting to know their neighbours, a further aim of the project being to create spaces for people to meet, socialise and interact.

Funding applicant: Alberto Franceschini & the neighbourhood committee of the Momentum arts & cultural association
Years implemented: 2023 to 2025

SAMBA community garden

A group of people standing in a wide circle in a garden, with a table and benches in front of them and, in the foreground on the right, a tree with a children’s swing. In the background is a historic old building.

Fig. 48: The SAMBA community garden is a green oasis where people from the neighbourhood come together. © City of Vienna/Markus Wache

Open to all, the SAMBA community garden (Marinelligasse 6, 2nd district) was laid out in 2013 in cooperation with the Municipal Dept. for Parks and Gardens (MA 42) and the Municipal District Office for the 2nd District. The "Grätzlmarie" funding paid for maintenance and upgrade of the mains water connection, which now also serves as a source of drinking water.

Lush vegetable plants of various kinds in a community garden, with trees and apartment blocks in the background.

Fig. 49: A garden that fosters social interaction and community spirit in the neighbourhood. © City of Vienna/Bojan Schnabl

Funding applicant: Verein Garten SAMBA (community garden initiative)
Year implemented: 2024

Biodiversity hedge at “Am Tabor”

A cheerful group of people, facing the camera and giving a thumbs-up. Parts of the church building are visible on the left; on the right is a tree, with the street and buildings in the background.

Fig. 50: A biodiversity hedge for local residents © Am Tabor Lutheran Parish

The existing strip of lawn outside Am Tabor Lutheran Church (Am Tabor 5) was planted with a selection of native shrubs. The new shrubs enhance the biodiversity of this unique little outdoor space, while the denser vegetation helps to cool down this section of the street space in the hot summer months. A park bench was also installed, where people can sit and relax under the mulberry tree.

A side view of a modern church building from the 1930s, with shrubs and a tree in front of it. Three people are depicted graphically in white against the fence.

Funding applicant: Am Tabor Lutheran Parish
Year implemented: 2025

StadtNatur Nordwest – educational activities around biodiversity and healthy eating

A group of primary school children are pictured from behind outdoors, facing two adult women teachers.

Fig. 52: Educational outreach activities on the environment and healthy eating, from kindergarten upwards. © Verein GrätzlGemüse – Biodiversität findet Stadt

The "GrätzlGemüse – Biodiversität findet Stadt" initiative organises educational outreach activities on the environment and healthy eating for kindergarten and primary school groups as well as local residents. A number of raised vegetable beds with seating have been installed on a plot of land at Nordwestbahnstraße 16 and are used as an edible learning space for informative workshops and public events.

Three new, freshly planted raised beds on a green lawn, with the tallest one in the centre taking centre stage.

Funding applicant: Verein “GrätzlGemüse – Biodiversität findet Stadt” (biodiversity education initiative)
Year implemented: 2025