Grassroots cultivators are rejuvenating territories, from war-torn regions to urban landscapes, and creating new opportunities for people's welfare.
In various locations worldwide, a new generation of land defenders is making a significant impact, reclaiming soil, space, and power through community gardens and regenerative action. From war zones to inner-city London, these individuals are growing healthy food for themselves and their communities, as the world increasingly squeezes this right into the margins.
One such group is London's LION - Land In Our Names, making green waves among the city's Black People and People of Colour (BPOC) community. Founded by Josina Calliste, LION has secured its own growing space at the Dandelion Garden in Peckham, south London. The Dandelion Garden provides a space for food production, teaching various aspects of gardening, and facilitating conversations.
Calliste found respite and a renewed passion for addressing land inequality in agriculture in the UK after working as a sexual health advisor specializing in the black community and engaging with the May Project, a community interest company based in Morden, south London. The long-term aim of LION is to buy their own land, near London.
The Ubuntu Learning Trust, led by Mugove Walter Niyaka, is helping Zambians rediscover the joy of growing food while simultaneously rehabilitating degraded farmland. Drawing on ancient African traditions of co-operation, the Trust is making a tangible difference in the lives of many Zambians.
Anastasiya Volkova, from Kharkiv in Ukraine, is leading hundreds of local people in creating and sustaining permaculture gardens, sometimes under fire. Volkova's efforts underscore the resilience and determination of these land defenders, who are committed to making a positive impact despite challenging circumstances.
The 2025 Lush Spring Prize has awarded £250,000 to pioneers in regenerative living, including these groups. Positive News, an independent, not-for-profit media organization that focuses on solutions, progress, and possibilities, is another supporter of these initiatives. Support for Positive News can be given through one-time donations or regular contributions.
Martin Wright, a director of Positive News, promises to use attention for good, showing what's going right in the world and empowering people to create positive change. Positive News' mission aligns with the work of groups like LION, which hosts 'nature immersion' events, connects BPOC growers from across the city, publishes resource packs and reports on racism in agriculture, and stages seasonal gatherings.
Covid's enforced time for reflection culminated in Calliste and others taking the plunge to set up LION as a CIC with the aim of engaging the BPOC community in practical agriculture and addressing some of the root causes of exclusion from the land, including discussions on reparations for colonial injustice and addressing the exploitation of migrant workers in British agriculture today.
These efforts are a testament to the power of community, cooperation, and determination in the face of adversity. As the world continues to grapple with issues of food security, land rights, and social justice, the work of these land defenders offers a glimmer of hope and a blueprint for positive change.
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