Serre dei Giardini Margherita

Le Serre dei Giardini is a project by Kilowatt soc. coop. located in Bologna, Italy. The project aims to activate a community hub blending nature and culture, combining art and innovation to create new, desirable, and non-dystopian imaginaries. The space spans 650 square meters of regenerated greenhouses within the Margherita Gardens. To bring this ambitious project to life, Kilowatt has invested approximately 2 million euros, benefiting from support from the Emilia Romagna Region. The initiative involves a cooperative of diverse sectors working in social innovation, culture, art, communication, regeneration, education, and food. The focus at Le Serre dei Giardini is on sustainability, resource conservation, and maintaining a balance between humans and nature. The initiative prioritizes environmental sustainability by using plant-based, organic materials, collaborating with small producers committed to environmentally-friendly practices, and implementing eco-friendly cleaning products. Additionally, efforts have been made to reduce plastic waste, promote sustainable agricultural practices, and support local farmers. The project also engages with the community through educational initiatives, such as aquaponics systems for urban cultivation, promoting biking as a means of transportation, and offering educational spaces for children within the green environment. The management model chosen for Le Serre dei Giardini incorporates a hybrid approach involving institutional and non-institutional entities, public and private collaborations, and a mix of profit and non-profit activities. This multi-level governance structure aims to support innovative startups, informal communities, and various stakeholders while fostering inclusivity and social impact. By balancing economic sustainability with social value creation, Kilowatt aims to experiment with new models that address societal needs and ensure long-term market viability. The initiative embodies values of cooperation, mutual exchange, transparency, and community participation, emphasizing a shared value creation approach.