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Social project developed at Praça CEU in the Ouro Verde neighborhood gained national recognition after combining culture, sustainability, social assistance, and community strengthening in a single public space
The city of Bento Gonçalves gained national prominence after the Community Garden at Praça CEU, located in the Ouro Verde neighborhood, won third place in the CEUs of Arts Good Practices Award. The award ceremony took place during the 2nd National Meeting of Culture Territories, held in Brasília last Wednesday, the 13th.
The recognition drew attention for highlighting a simple project, yet extremely transformative, which managed to unite culture, sustainability, social assistance, and intelligent use of public space. Moreover, the initiative has become an example for other Brazilian cities seeking to strengthen community bonds through accessible social actions.
The information was released by “NB Notícias,” with details of the national event held in Brasília and statements from the Municipal Department of Culture of Bento Gonçalves. According to the organizers, the award recognizes projects capable of generating positive social impact and strengthening integration between different areas of public administration.
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The trophy was received by the coordinator of Praça CEU, Clóvis Chaves Prates, who officially represented the Municipal Department of Culture during the ceremony. However, the recognition goes beyond the symbolism of the award. This is because the community garden has established itself as an important point of coexistence, learning, and social transformation within the Ouro Verde neighborhood.
Far beyond the cultivation of vegetables, legumes, and herbs, the space has brought residents together in collective activities aimed at strengthening the community. Additionally, part of the cultivated food is distributed among residents and local institutions, expanding the social impact of the project.
Community garden strengthens social bonds and transforms public space
The Community Garden project at Praça CEU gained prominence precisely for promoting integration between different sectors of society. While many public spaces suffer from neglect, the initiative transformed the area into an active, educational, and welcoming environment.
Moreover, the proposal encourages sustainable practices and brings together residents of different age groups. Children, young people, adults, and the elderly participate directly in activities related to the cultivation, maintenance, and distribution of the food produced on site.
According to representatives of the municipal administration, the proposal helps strengthen the community’s sense of belonging to the public space. Thus, the square ceases to be just an urban facility and becomes a center for social interaction.
Another important factor involves the integration between culture and social assistance. The CEU Square in the Ouro Verde neighborhood already houses a library, telecenter, artistic workshops, and a unit of the Social Assistance Reference Center (CRAS). As a result, the space has become strategic for the community development of the region.
Furthermore, the combination of cultural activities and sustainable actions created a more participatory environment for residents. While some people collaborate directly in planting, others participate in workshops and educational projects promoted on site.
The distribution of food to families and institutions also reinforces the initiative’s solidarity character. In this way, the community garden goes beyond cultivation and becomes a practical tool for social inclusion.
National award strengthens cultural policies and social projects
The municipal secretary of Culture of Bento Gonçalves, Evandro Soares, also participated in the national meeting in Brasília on Thursday, the 14th. According to him, the award represents important recognition for the work carried out in the municipality.
Furthermore, the secretary stated that the event helps to expand dialogue with the Ministry of Culture and allows seeking new references to strengthen the city’s cultural public policies.
The CEUs of Arts Good Practices Award seeks to recognize initiatives capable of promoting a positive impact within Brazilian communities. In this context, the Community Garden in the Ouro Verde neighborhood stood out precisely for its ability to integrate sustainability, social assistance, and community strengthening into a single project.
Another relevant point involves the social occupation of public spaces. Experts affirm that projects like this help reduce urban abandonment and encourage greater population participation in collective actions.
Moreover, sustainable community initiatives have gained even more relevance in recent years due to the search for more humane, inclusive, and environmentally responsible cities.
In Bento Gonçalves, the national recognition of CEU Square reinforces the importance of public policies aimed at integrating culture, education, social assistance, and sustainability. Meanwhile, residents of the Ouro Verde neighborhood celebrate the award as a direct result of the community’s active participation.
The success of the community garden also shows that small local actions can have significant impacts when they receive institutional support and popular involvement.
Today, the initiative already inspires other municipalities interested in transforming public spaces into more collaborative, educational, and socially active environments.
Do you believe that community projects like this could also transform the neighborhoods in your city?
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