Urban Mushroom - Growing the Future Sustainablely

1. Your project in two lines:

CDL is an urban farm that aims to produce locally sustainable, high-quality mushrooms all year round, while promoting sustainability, the circular economy and raising awareness of urban agriculture.

2. The objective of your project (explain its why and how it will benefit one or more neighborhood(s))

Our project aims to promote sustainability and local food production in Lausanne by establishing an urban mushroom farm. By producing high-quality mushrooms in a sustainable way, we want to improve the quality of life in neighborhoods by offering healthy food and creating local jobs. We also hope to raise awareness among the community of the importance of urban agriculture and sustainable food production by applying the principles of circularity. We want to create a space for learning and sharing to encourage the active participation of people in urban agriculture and strengthen the social bond.

3. Your project in detail

• The cultivation of mushrooms is an ideal practice for urban areas, because it adapts easily to the available spaces. Indeed, this culture can take place all year round in a multitude of places, especially in abandoned or little-used places of the city. This characteristic makes mushroom growing a wise choice for those seeking to promote sustainable urban agriculture. By using innovative cultivation methods, our farm requires very little energy and resources compared to other forms of agriculture. We use local organic waste such as beer drèche, bread and coffee grounds as a substrate for mushroom cultivation, thus helping to revalue waste and promote the circular economy. Mushrooms are also known for their nutritional value and health benefits. By producing high-quality mushrooms, we want to encourage a healthy, local and balanced diet within our neighborhood. We also consider the following activities to promote the social dimension of our project: 1. Farm visits: We will regularly open the doors of our farm to the inhabitants of the neighborhood, allowing them to discover our facilities and our process of growing mushrooms. The tours will be guided and educational, offering participants a practical overview of sustainable urban agriculture. 2. Introductory workshops in mushroom cultivation: We will organize interactive workshops where locals can learn the basics of mushroom cultivation. They will have the opportunity to actively participate by growing their own mushrooms with our guidance. This will enable participants to develop new skills and better understand sustainable food processes. 3. Community Partnerships: We want to partner with other local organizations and neighborhood schools to organize seasonal events and educational activities. This will foster engagement and collaboration among different stakeholders in the community. Our project will benefit the neighborhood by providing a local supply of fresh mushrooms, creating local employment opportunities and offering introductory workshops to grow mushrooms for locals. In addition, we aim to raise awareness of the importance of sustainable urban agriculture and to create a community committed to the transition to a greener and socially just future. By submitting this project, we hope to create a real link between the community and sustainable urban agriculture. We are confident that our initiative will help strengthen the social fabric of the neighbourhood, educate people about sustainable food and encourage their active participation.

4. The amount requested to complete the project (max. CHF 20'000.- to be detailed below):

20000

6. The exact address of your project if known and the neighborhood(s) concerned:

Our main place is the Halles de Beaulieu, which are located in the center of the city and already house an ecosystem of circular projects. However, we are open to other proposals, especially in the event that they allow us to reinvest previously empty places.

7. The name of your association (optional)