Urban farmer Doetinchem has reached the final of the European ARIA Prize

The City Farmer Doetinchem has reached the final of the European ARIA Prize for the best socio-economic rural project. This food project supported by LEADER Achterhoek passed the first round with flying colors. Initiator of City Farmer Doetinchem, Ellen Willems, started in 2019 with no more than 1,200 euros in savings on a barren piece of land near the De Kruisberg prison in Doetinchem. “I wanted to grow healthy food and show children how vegetables grow. Children no longer know where their food comes from,” says Ellen. City farmer Doetinchem has developed into a meeting place where everyone is welcome.

”Now it’s up to you, because the final is a voting round. Will you help spread the story of City Farmer Doetinchem in Europe? You can vote until December 1 by clicking on ‘Urban Farm Doetinchem’ via the link. Winners will be announced on December 4,” the organization of the European ARIA Prize said in a press release. At Stadsboerin Doetinchem, young people, women and minorities work together. Adults and children learned to garden and cook there. Five professionals now work on the project. Thanks to Stadsboerin, the bare spot behind the old prison gained new nature and a lot of biodiversity.

City farmer Doetinchem achieves a great achievement by reaching the shortlist of 24 candidates from all over Europe.

© Photo: Theo Kock