YUSU's Sustainable Development Grant: a campus allotment
Discover how our Executive Operations Department created a campus allotment to foster sustainability, community, and staff wellbeing.
Over the next few weeks we’re sharing some exciting staff and student-led sustainability projects happening across our University campus. Each of these initiatives have been made possible through the support of the University of York Students' Union (formerly YUSU) Sustainable Development Grant.
Our first project spotlight showcases a staff-led campus allotment initiative led by the Executive Operations Department.
The objectives of this project were to establish a departmental allotment fostering campus biodiversity, cultivate crops for sustainable living practices, and provide an opportunity for staff to engage in lunch-break gardening, promoting both physical health and overall wellbeing. The project was given £100 for materials and tools, and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2, "Zero Hunger."
Here are some impacts of the project:
- The allotment has been successfully established, and staff have enjoyed a summer crop in 2023.
- A staff timetable has been devised and shared across the entire Executive Operations Department, ensuring collective efforts in maintaining the allotment.
- Multiple weeding and planting days have been organised, drawing enthusiastic participation from staff members.
- Harvests of tomatoes, potatoes, and beans have been shared among the staff, fostering a sense of community.
- To gauge the allotment's impact on staff wellbeing, a survey has been conducted, adding valuable insights into the positive effects of the project.
The allotment can be found at the rear of The Hive building on Campus West.
About the University of York Students' Union Sustainable Development Grant
The Sustainable Development Grant, launched by the Students' Union (formerly YUSU) in 2022, is available to fund student and staff-led sustainability projects using the University's 35p Latte Levy. It funds projects that are aimed at improving sustainability at York and uses the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as its criteria, so as long as the project lines up with at least one of these, it will be considered.
The funding bands range from £50 - £1000, however more expensive projects will be considered if you can demonstrate the need for it. Applications are accepted every semester.