Through environmental support, community gardens will be established in kindergartens, and hedges will be planted alongside boundary fences.
The city of Kohtla-Järve already had plans to install solar panels on the roofs of two kindergartens during their reconstruction. At the beginning of the year, an opportunity arose to apply for environmental support for activities related to adapting to the impact of climate change.
In addition to installing solar panels on more flat-roofed kindergartens, the city's development advisor, Anton Makarjev, selected seven more that would be suitable for panels. The large flat roof area of the city government building could provide 10 x 15 kW, totaling a 150 kW solar park.
However, solar panels alone would not have been enough to qualify for the support, so other activities had to be proposed.
Mini-community gardens could be established in kindergartens, allowing children to be exposed to gardening from a young age and be closer to nature, leading to the next idea. Some kindergartens already have such gardens, and there is interest in several places.
Hedges could be planted alongside old boundary fences of schools and kindergartens. This would add biodiversity to the city and make it more aesthetically pleasing, giving rise to the third idea.
The city needs more biodiversity and new trees elsewhere. Where at least 300 trees will be planted will be determined by the commissioned landscaping project.
"Our funding application was surprisingly well received, and all proposed activities were deemed worthy of support," said Makarjev.
The entire project will cost 360,350 euros, with the city only responsible for 54,000 euros.
Next, the city government will be looking for contractors, and everything must be completed within a year and four months.
Source: Põhjarannik
