National School Garden Development Programme

The National School Garden Programme (Országos Iskolakert-fejlesztési Program), launched in 2019 with the coordination of the Foundation for School Gardens (Iskolakertekért Alapítvány) that had organized the Hungarian School Garden Network in the Carpathian Basin since 2015, supports schools and kindergartens to create and maintain school gardens, where students can gain hands-on experience in environmental awareness, sustainability and healthy living. Currently, there are more than 1,100 school gardens in Hungary. School gardens and related activities contribute to the development of a wide range of competences of young learners from kindergarten to secondary school, and may support the teaching of diverse subjects from Science to Hungarian language. By integrating practical gardening with entrepreneurial and sustainability skills, the programme equips students with the mindset and abilities necessary for initiative, creativity, and responsible action in both economic and social contexts.

Key Activities and Student Experience

The programme provides educational institutions with soil, tools, seeds and professional support to establish and maintain the gardens. It is implemented in sub-programmes with the support of the ministry currently responsible for environmental education and other non-profit organisations. Students actively participate in all stages of the gardening process, from planning and planting to harvesting and processing produce. Activities include establishing and maintaining garden plots, experimenting with cultivation techniques, processing fruits and herbs, and even engaging in small-scale enterprise projects such as selling garden products or organising school markets. These hands-on experiences are designed to mirror real-world entrepreneurial tasks: students must collaborate, solve problems, manage resources, and make decisions about production and distribution. The programme also features open days, workshops, and national meetings, where students and teachers share best practices and celebrate achievements, further enhancing motivation and community spirit.

Program Features and Pedagogical Principles

The programme’s core features are its interdisciplinary approach and strong emphasis on experiential learning. School gardens serve as “outdoor classrooms,” which can be integrated into a wide range of subjects such as Science, Biology, Physics, Technology or even Hungarian. Pedagogical principles include learning by doing, fostering autonomy and responsibility, and promoting creativity and innovation. Teachers are supported with accredited training, mentoring, regular newsletters and various online methodological resources (thematic plans, workbooks, toolkit, etc.) ensuring that garden activities are meaningfully embedded into the curriculum and aligned with the development of key competences, including entrepreneurship, initiative, and cooperation. The Foundation encourages ecological practices and the conservation of local plant varieties, linking entrepreneurship with sustainability and social responsibility.

Methodology and Structure

The methodology is rooted in experiential, student-centred learning. Students are involved not only in gardening tasks but also in decision-making processes, such as selecting crops, planning garden layouts, and managing simple business activities. The structure of the programme is flexible, allowing adaptation to the needs and resources of each school or kindergarten. The Foundation provides a framework of support, including practical guides, professional mentoring, and opportunities for networking and knowledge exchange among participating institutions. The programme also integrates seasonal and thematic projects, ensuring year-round engagement and learning.