Newsletter n°7 – Get closer to nature with spring!
What a wonderful world* !
“Somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly,” “I see trees of green, red roses too, I’ll watch them bloom,” “I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do,” “I hear babies cry, I watch them grow,”… So sang Louis Armstrong with his wonderful voice in 1967.
What have we done with this world? Biodiversity is plummeting, the climate is spiraling out of control, social bonds are breaking down, war threatens, a profit-driven society is plundering the planet…
We have lost our connection with “Pachamama,” our nourishing mother earth. While some rely on technology to solve the climate crisis, we believe in reconnecting with nature and each other – including our neighbors. “The bond comes before the good,” said Marcel Mauss1. In other words, what defines the human species is our fundamental need for relationships with others.
And that’s precisely what the Transition movement aims to do: offer opportunities to come together and take action for a better, more convivial world.
In this seventh newsletter, we’re highlighting the various initiatives we’re undertaking at the start of spring to support nature and biodiversity. What unites them above all is that they are built on community, and everyone is welcome to contribute.
We’ve created a platform where everyone can share their ideas or find inspiration to get involved. While the platform is primarily French-speaking, contributions in Luxembourgish, English, German, or Portuguese are also welcome – whatever suits you best.
Whether it’s through our efforts to promote orchards and public picking areas in the cross-border Alzette Belval region, mapping your favorite green spaces in Esch, or launching community gardens, there are plenty of ways to get involved.
Meris Sehovic, the alderman responsible for environment and mobility, among other things, is committed to a systemic approach to community living in Esch, with respect for the climate. A range of support is available to individuals to green the city or install small-scale photovoltaic systems. He’s also counting on the contribution of civil society to make Esch a model city for resilience and sustainability.
For example, the Citizens’ Forum on May 17, organized in partnership with the city of Esch, will provide an opportunity to share ideas and connect with others (see registration details inside), as will the Spring Festival at Pavilion 5, organized by local residents.
“What a wonderful world” – if we choose to, we can build it together.
- French sociologist (1872-1950) one of the fathers of french anthropology ↩︎
Second Edition of the Citizen’s Forum for the Climate: Share your ideas and connect with us and the city of Esch!
Want to talk about climate, nature, and local solutions? Transition Minett and the city of Esch invite you to the second edition of the Citizen’s Forum for the Climate, a chance to discuss issues related to climate change.
This year’s topics will focus primarily on the state and management of our forests, and the benefits of trees and green spaces in the city.
Experts will be on hand to answer your questions and share their knowledge.
Interested? Join us on Saturday, May 17 at 10:00 am at the Ellergronn Nature and Forest Center.
Register with the environmental department (26 541 541 / ecologie@villeesch.lu)
Share your favorite green spaces in Esch with us!
Leading up to the Citizens’ Forum, the green spaces team from the city of Esch and Transition Minett are asking you to share your favorite green spots in Esch, which we’ll then discuss at a workshop during the Forum.
We’re not just looking for well-known places like Gaalgebierg or Ellergronn: we also want to hear about the hidden gems, or even just a tree you love near your home, on your street, or in your neighborhood.
It’s easy to participate: share your suggestions on our online platform.
Esch-sur-Alzette: A model city for ecological transition
Interview with Meris Sehovic, alderman of the city of Esch, responsible for environment and mobility, among other areas
The 2nd edition of the Citizens’ Forum for the Climate will take place in May, a unique opportunity for citizens to engage with experts on environmental issues. What role can citizens play in creating a more sustainable city?
Today, living in an environmentally responsible way often requires extra effort and comes at a higher financial cost. In the future, it should be the norm and accessible to everyone, which is why I’m taking a systemic approach. (…)
And to mobilize people, it’s important to work with them directly, hence the value of initiatives like Klimawoch, where we inform the public about our priorities and projects for adapting to climate change, and the Citizens’ Forum for the Climate, where we discuss our climate policies. (…)
Besides these opportunities for dialogue, does the city of Esch already offer concrete support to help residents make the ecological transition?
In my view, it’s essential to address the climate crisis at every level. And to work effectively with people, the local level of a municipality is key. That’s why the city of Esch already provides a range of financial assistance to support the transition to a more sustainable lifestyle, particularly in the areas of mobility, the circular economy, and energy efficiency. (…)
What’s your vision for the future of Esch in terms of ecological development?
I firmly believe that the city of Esch has the perfect combination of committed citizens and active organizations focused on ecological and social transition to become the country’s Capital of Transition! This is thanks to the work of organizations like Transition Minett, CIGL Esch, ProActif, Haus vum Vëlo, Esch Biken, and many others.
That’s also why my vision is for us to become the first city in the country to achieve carbon neutrality, which I see as essential for quality of life and a real benefit for everyone. (..)
Join us for the Spring Festival on April 26 at Pavilion 5!
Where? Pavilion 5 (access via Rue Arthur Useldinger, Esch-sur-Alzette)
Does Pavilion 5 ring a bell? If you’ve ever strolled along the Dippach in Esch, you’ve surely noticed this seemingly disused building with its large windows and wooden terrace, nestled in a small green haven.
For the past year and a half, a group of residents has been working to revitalize this space, located near the Bruch, Fettmeth, and Lallange neighborhoods, all connected by the pedestrian path and the Dippach that runs alongside it. In 2023 and 2024, they organized two events for and by residents, centered around “Alternative Christmas Markets,” where visitors could buy Christmas toys and decorations made or repurposed by other local residents. What better way to beat the winter blues than to prepare for Christmas in an eco-friendly and community-focused way?
This spring, the group of volunteers is organizing a new event: a Spring Festival, rooted in the neighborhood and open to everyone! From 11 am to 7 pm, locals and visitors alike can explore a second-hand and creators’ market, along with a variety of activities and entertainment centered around spring, nature, and gardening. This edition will feature more stalls and activities, both inside and outside the Pavilion: children’s games, Repair Couture, building nesting boxes, a seed exchange and plant sale, a wildlife and flora observation workshop, delicious smoothies made in collaboration with FoodSharing, music, and DJ sets…. Food will be provided by CiGL and Camping Stuff, offering delicious, organic, and seasonal dishes. Save the date and join us on April 26 to celebrate spring! The full program will be announced soon!
For questions, information, or to get involved in organizing, contact: participation@transition-minett.lu.
Cross-border orchards accessible to all? It’s possible!
What if you could pick fruit for free near your home while participating in an ecological and community project? That’s the idea behind ACTE – Citizens for Ecological Transition, a Franco-Luxembourg initiative to make the Alzette Belval area more sustainable and community-oriented.
After assessing ecological and community initiatives in the 13 municipalities of the Alzette Belval area (Sanem, Mondercange, Schifflange, Esch-sur-Alzette, Rumelange, Ottange, Redange, Russange, Thil, Villerupt, Audun-le-Tiche, Aumetz, and Boulange), we found that:
• Several municipalities on both sides of the border have orchards and picking areas (with various fruits and berries);
• These places are often poorly known, underused, and sometimes degraded by inappropriate practices.
Our idea? To help you develop “cross-border community orchards” and harvest the available fruits and berries together, close to home! But let’s go further: let’s transform them together to better consume or preserve them!
We invite you to identify existing picking locations together, promote and maintain these spaces to make them accessible to everyone, while reducing our ecological footprint!
Sounds great, but how can I participate?
Mark the picking locations you know or find interesting on the map.
Help create shared routes to explore and preserve these spaces together.
And why not go even further? Let’s imagine picking routes on foot or by bike to discover these local treasureswhile caring for our environment.
Together, let’s make Alzette Belval a region where ecology goes hand in hand with sharing and enjoyment!
The Esch community gardens are opening their doors!
The gardening season is here! If you love flowers, nature, shared meals, or just want to meet people in your neighborhood or spend time outdoors with your children or grandchildren on weekends, come and explore the Esch community gardens and join in the group gardening sessions!
What exactly are the Esch community gardens?
These are spaces where the land has been provided by the city of Esch. They are managed by various organizations such as CIGL Esch, Transition Minett, and Gaart Belval a.s.b.l., and maintained by residents and other educational or charitable groups. In each garden, the gardening, maintenance, and harvesting are done collectively, according to the group’s guidelines. Newcomers are welcome, as long as they respect the charter and the work of the gardeners.
These urban gardens play a vital role in protecting biodiversity. They provide shelter and food for many insects and birds: habitats, nesting boxes, pollinator-friendly flowers, and no pesticides…
To raise public awareness of this issue, the Breedewee garden participated in the Oeuvre Nationale’s “ReNature – Restoring Biodiversity” project. Since September, the EIDE reception classes have been enthusiastically involved in this collaborative and artistic project, creating a mural with 3D elements for local wildlife. The unveiling of this community mural will take place on June 24, 2025. We’re excited to see the result!
You can find the list of gardens, information on how they work, and contact details here: administration.esch.lu/charte-des-jardins-participatifs-eschois/
Want to join us and garden with us? Contact us at: contact@transition-minett.lu
