About the Project
NOVA Bela Flor: Community, Sustainability, and Education
NOVA Bela Flor is a community-based initiative developed under the BIP/ZIP – Bairros e Zonas de Intervenção Prioritária programme of the Municipality of Lisbon. The project addresses structural social, environmental, and educational challenges by fostering a sustained interaction between the academic community of NOVA University Lisbon and the residents of the Bairro da Bela Flor, a priority intervention area in Campolide.
The project is grounded in the principles of social cohesion, environmental sustainability, and inclusive education. It promotes biodiversity, environmental education, and food literacy through participatory agroecological practices, urban agriculture, and circular education models that connect formal and non-formal learning contexts. By integrating community knowledge with academic expertise, NOVA Bela Flor seeks to reduce social distance, strengthen local capacities, and create lasting mechanisms of collaboration between the neighbourhood and the university.
At its core, the initiative combines the enhancement of the existing agroforestry and composting infrastructures in the Bairro da Bela Flor with the creation of vertical gardens at NOVA IMS. These physical interventions are complemented by a structured educational programme — the Academia de Bairro — targeting children, young people, residents, students, and the wider community. Activities span environmental literacy, food and nutrition education, digital skills, data management, geoinformatics, and responsible use of emerging technologies, including generative artificial intelligence.
Through a phased implementation covering planning, co-design, infrastructure development, educational activation, and long-term sustainability, the project delivers practical, community-driven solutions while positioning the Bairro da Bela Flor as a reference case for inclusive urban regeneration.
As part of its implementation, the project will:
- Develop and strengthen agroforestry, composting, and plant nursery infrastructures in the Bairro da Bela Flor.
- Install and activate vertical gardens at NOVA IMS, ensuring accessibility and community participation.
Implement the Academia de Bairro, integrating environmental, food, digital, and sustainability literacy.
Promote reciprocal engagement through activities such as “O Bairro vai à Universidade” and “A Universidade vai ao Bairro”. - Deliver hands-on workshops, community markets, educational events, and seasonal reflection cycles.
- Disseminate results through community events, institutional communication channels, and digital platforms.
