Social economies, civic blockchain and urban gardening in Turin

The project supports the student community and citizens in managing the collective garden Orto della SME of the School of Management and Economics, UniTo, created with the support of the New European Bauhaus – EIT Food according to the principles of inclusiveness and sustainability (eg. furnishings made with circular material and suitable for the elderly, the disabled and children). Participation in the activities (cultivation, maintenance, events) will be symbolically remunerated with “tokens” managed by the CommonsHood blockchain app developed by the Department of Computer Science, which can be used in shops and local associations, to support local economic cycles and the urban social economy.

The project adopts and adapts the successful model of local currencies for the recreation of local social and solidarity economies and the care of green spaces accessible to citizens (e.g. the Belgian Torekes project). It provides for the territorial extension of at least 150 square meters of the Orto della SME in the area behind the School of Management (already approved by the referring Departments), on the border between the abandoned municipal spaces “ex-Combi” and the managed areas “OASI”, through collective management processes with the student associations of the University (e.g. Obiettivo Studenti and AIESEC) and the schools of the area (e.g. Asilo Nido il Micino). To enhance the work of the participants and increase membership, the easy-to-use CommonsHood blockchain app will be used, issuing local currency in the form of “tokens” that can be spent in the purchase of goods and services in the neighborhood, thanks to agreements with merchants, cultural associations and sports, district services. The products from the garden will be donated to charities in collaboration with the Mandala Association.

The project is granted by the CRT Foundation to DIGGEO@ESOMAS and is run by the Department of Economics, Social Studies, Applied Mathematics and Statistics (Prof. Chiara Certomà) with the Department of Management (Prof. Laura Corazza) and the Department of Computer Science (Prof. Guido Boella) of the University of Turin.

News and activities

22 March 2023 – SME Garden Spring Party: Commonhoods in the Garden Project Opening!

On Wednesday 22 March 2023 at 4.30 p.m. we look forward to seeing you at the SME garden. Bring something to drink or eat and we’ll think about chocolate and new seedlings to sow.