Maria Young

    Cork Food Policy Council representative, Ireland

    Coordinator of Green Spaces for Health and a key figure in Cork’s urban food movement. Maria has been a pioneer in establishing community gardens within the framework of the Cork Food Policy Council (CFPC), with a strong focus on biodiversity and sustainable food practices.
    Her most emblematic project is the Togher community garden, a vibrant space where more than 75 people of different ages and backgrounds come together to grow fresh food. This garden, along with 23 others across the city, demonstrates that even densely populated urban areas can produce nutritious food and foster environmental stewardship.
    Through the active promotion of biodiversity in urban spaces, Maria contributes to a more sustainable food system in Cork while addressing the challenges of food security. Thanks to her leadership, she has played a crucial role in empowering local communities to take control of their food sources, while also fostering social interaction, education, and health.

    All Sessions by Maria Young

    • Day 2: 30 April 2025


    • 10:15  - 11:30

      In this session, speakers will share actions for promoting cultivated biodiversity in the framework of green infrastructure and connectivity and climate and biodiversity programmes.

      Moderator: Marcelo Gerlach, Expert for Nature-based Solutions and Biodiversity at ICLEI-Europe.

      Speakers:

      • Saverio Mecca – Councillor for ecological transition with the municipality of Scandicci, Italy.
      • Lise Lykke – President of the European Genebank Managers Network.
      • Maria Young – Cork Food Policy Council representative, Ireland.
      Where
      Roca Umbert, Sala NAUB1



    ORGANIZED BY

    FUNDED BY

    IN COLLABORATION WITH

    Fostering Cultivated Biodiversity
    Through Local Food Policies

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    Maria Young