LOUISVILLE, United States — Restoring livelihoods in food-insecure regions requires resilience, innovation and community collaboration. One example is the concept of a Resilience Garden, which brings people together to improve food security, nutrition and sustainable resource management. By cultivating fruits and vegetables in challenging environments, communities can strengthen self-reliance while improving household well-being. Community gardens for displaced communities offer more than food. They act as a sanctuary, provide a sense of purpose, restore dignity through meaningful work and transform the land into a source of hope rather than hardship.
Gardens of Hope in Burkina Faso
Approximately 235 kilometers west of Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, Honorine rebuilt her life after being forced to flee her home. Like thousands of others seeking safety from violence and instability, she settled in the town of Dédougou. She carries with her a hopeful mission and seeks refuge from her suffering. In 2025 alone, more than 8,500 displaced people arrived in the area, living with host families and in reception centers, placing additional pressure on local resources, land and water. Amid these challenges, residents found a simple yet powerful solution. They made the land an ally rather than an enemy.
Honorine and her neighbors established small, sustainable gardens that produce crops such as cleome leaves, bean leaves, aubergines and onions. These gardens help supplement limited food supplies, improve nutrition and reduce household expenses. Before her displacement, Honorine managed a large vegetable farm with her family, making the opportunity to garden especially meaningful. She no longer needs to purchase vegetables and takes pride in sharing her harvest with others. Although the rainy season presents challenges, Honorine and other neighbors from displaced communities remain committed to cultivating their gardens and strengthening their community as they advocate for their collective initiative.
“Tomorrow must find us standing,” Honorine says. Salaki, a local association, secured a two-hectare plot of land where more than 40 women work together daily. Through government-approved irrigation and fertilization efforts, the women cultivate crops for both their families and local markets. These community gardens for displaced people offer retail opportunities for women and breed hope for the future, but the pain of being far from home still persists. While many still dream of returning home, they continue to invest in self-reliance and resilience as they rebuild their lives.
Community Gardens of Kurdistan
In northern Iraq, more than 5,000 shelters and 26,000 Syrian men, women and children live in refugee camps due to ongoing civil war. Established in 2012, the Domiz Refugee Camp serves as a temporary home for many displaced families. Within the camp, community gardens were imperative and are a powerful source of comfort and stability.
In 2015, the Lemon Tree Trust launched a gardening initiative after observing residents attempting to grow food among unyielding concrete, tarps and steel structures. Despite limited resources, refugees created thriving gardens filled with fruits, vegetables and herbs, providing a tangible connection to the homes they left behind.
To encourage gardening efforts, the Lemon Tree Trust distributed 500 lemon trees and organized gardening competitions. Over time, the project expanded to include raised beds, nurseries and communal growing spaces where residents freely share and sell produce. Today, the organization continues to support refugees through Crisis Response Garden Kits. Domiz Camp residents assemble and distribute seeds and tools to newly arrived families, providing more than 1,200 kits to date.
Beyond improving nutrition and access to fresh food, these gardens for displaced communities create spaces of beauty, comfort and belonging. In the Domiz Refugee Camp, community gardens continue to offer those who have lost everything hope, warm memories and a sense of home.
Kitchen Gardens in Mozambique
In Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, widespread poverty contributes to food insecurity and malnutrition. Most households experience micronutrient deficiencies due to limited access to fruits and vegetables, increasing the risk of illnesses such as malaria, diarrhea and pneumonia, prompting humanitarian intervention.
To address these challenges, rural development projects supported by the Canadian International Development Agency and the Aga Khan Foundation introduced Home Gardens. These home gardens aim to increase access to nutrient-rich foods and improve household nutrition.
The initiative has produced encouraging results. Home gardening participation increased by 13% and studies found strong community support for the practice, concluding that no restrictions prevented it. Women in particular have embraced kitchen gardening as both a source of fresh produce and a social activity. While challenges such as limited capital, water access and crop threats reduce yields, the gardens continue to strengthen food security and dietary diversity across participating communities.
Looking Ahead
Community gardens for displaced communities continue to cultivate hope around the world. Born of determination, cooperation and sustainable agricultural practices, these initiatives provide reliable sources of food while fostering dignity, resilience and economic opportunity. Community gardens demonstrate how small acts of innovation and resilience can drive real change and help individuals and families looking toward a brighter future rebuild their lives and create stronger, more self-sufficient communities.
– Elora Gunn
Elora is based in Louisville, KY, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Flickr