Resiliency Gardens for Ukrainian Refugees and IDPs

Thank you for supporting Seed Programs International (SPI) and our Resiliency Gardens Program in Poland! Your generosity has made a lasting difference for children, families, and schools still navigating the challenges of war and displacement.

We recently completed the third school year of this program, which has reached 7,174 students at 27 schools. These aren’t just vegetable gardens, they’re living classrooms and safe spaces where students can learn, connect, and heal.

Rooted in Community: The Resiliency Gardens program was founded by SPI Board Member June Lavelle, who lives in Poland. When the Russo-Ukrainian war began, she wanted to create a meaningful way to support both refugees and the Polish communities welcoming them. She saw that school gardens could bring children together through shared learning and connection with nature.

Each school received a small grant to establish its garden, and educational aides visited regularly to guide lessons and ease the workload on teachers. This model has made gardening both achievable and joyful for schools of all sizes.

Learning and Growing, Indoors and Out: Each school participates in five fun, hands-on workshops throughout the year, both in the classroom and in the garden. Students learn about topics like planting, composting, pollinators, nutrition, and sustainability.

Teachers tell us their students are excited to take part, and that gardening has boosted teamwork, confidence, and curiosity. Many kids have even started gardens at home with their families, spreading what they’ve learned beyond the schoolyard!

Importantly, every school includes Ukrainian students who have been displaced by war. The gardens are intentionally designed to foster inclusion, resilience, and belonging for all children.

Recognition and Impact: The gardens have become a true community effort in Rybik, where 23 of the school gardens are located. Local businesses and leaders have also supported the program, helping it take root across the city.

This year, Rybnik’s school gardens received national and international recognition:

• Innovative Local Government Awards in Warsaw, Poland
• International Innovation in Politics Awards in Vienna, Austria – Winner in the Social Cohesion & Integration category

Wojciech Kiljanczyk, Deputy Mayor of Rybnik, said: “The goal is to educate children about urban gardening and sustainable development. Another crucial aspect is involving the Ukrainian community—last school year, nearly 700 Ukrainian children attended schools in Rybnik.”

June Lavelle, the project’s founder, added: “The school gardens give students, including refugees, a chance to build friendships, learn about the environment, and create small classroom communities that foster connection and hope.

Thank You: Because of your support, children are learning how to nurture both the earth and each other. These gardens are planting seeds of resilience and connection that will continue to grow for years to come. 

Thank you for helping make this possible. 

Ukrainian borshch—a beloved national dish made with beetroot, broth, and a variety of vegetables—has deep cultural roots. In 2022, it was included on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. We partnered with the Bukovinian Agency of Regional Development (BARD) to honor this cultural tradition by creating a project where students in Kyiv learned how to grow the ingredients and cook a family borshch using their own family recipes. 

The students, ranging from grades 1 to 11,  planted and tended crops such as carrots, beets, onions, cabbage, and various herbs. They also collected recipes from their own families to create a set of illustrated recipe cards. In total, 61 families participated. During classroom discussions, students were surprised to discover the diversity of family recipes—each with its own special ingredients, cooking techniques, and personal stories passed down through generations.

Taking the project a step further, students and teachers created dry borshch kits to send to soldiers on the front lines. The process of drying vegetables—already time-intensive—became even more challenging due to energy blackouts in Kyiv caused by Russian airstrikes on critical infrastructure. Despite these difficulties, the students remained determined and managed to prepare smaller batches of dry borshch to send to the parents of some of the students who are currently serving. These care packages offered more than just a nutritious and convenient meal—they provided a taste of home, and a heartfelt message of comfort, support, and gratitude to those defending Ukraine.

We are continuing to partner with BARD this year and look forward to sharing more information with you. Thank you sincerely for supporting these programs that celebrate Ukrainian culture, unify communities, and provide comfort during distress.