Care Collective
The Local Challenge
In Palermo’s Cruillas neighbourhood, there are no accessible green spaces and few places for the community to gather. Terra Franca, a piece of land once an orchard, seized by the mafia and left abandoned as a dumping ground, offers the chance to become something transformative. While the site is being reclaimed through permaculture, there is still a need for spaces that combine nature, learning, and social connection. Residents, especially children and young people, face limited opportunities for environmental education and active citizenship. In a context where misinformation about climate change is common and green spaces have historically been privatised, creating a library in nature offers an urgent and creative solution.
The Initiative
Care Collective creates a green library in Terra Franca and it is part of a “diffuse library” model, replacing the traditional library structure with a collaboratively managed, open-air space. A dedicated collection of books on permaculture, environmental sustainability, and green living is installed, alongside mobile furniture to make the space adaptable for different uses.
The HRYO community group receives training from booq on managing and running library services, ensuring local ownership and long-term sustainability. Educators and volunteers deliver workshops and community events, using reading, games, and citizen science to explore ecological themes. Activities connect children and young people with natural ecosystems, encourage creative play, and promote sustainable practices in everyday life.
What’s Next?
The green library at Terra Franca will become a lasting part of the neighbourhood, offering a welcoming outdoor space where reading and nature come together. Local residents will have a trusted place to explore sustainability, biodiversity, permaculture, and environmental protection through books, workshops, and community events.
Young people will gain a platform for creativity, critical thinking, and active participation in addressing socio-ecological challenges. Children will experience hands-on learning in nature, developing knowledge through play, observation, and sensory engagement. Terra Franca operators will strengthen their skills in managing a community library in nature, enabling them to sustain activities that counter climate misinformation and promote environmental stewardship. The Terra Franca model will inspire other communities to reclaim unused or neglected spaces for culture, education, and green living.
Contact theeuropechallenge@culturalfoundation.eu if you have any questions or want to be connected with the team behind the project.
