The University of Almería has achieved significant international recognition for its inclusive garden project , an initiative that has been operating on campus since late 2024. The Ibero-American university alliance MetaRed has awarded this project one of its annual prizes, specifically in the area of Sustainability and Social Responsibility, within the Governance category. The jury described it as a “European Model of Inclusion, Mental Health, and Sustainability ,” highlighting its innovative approach and social impact.
The philosophy behind the garden goes far beyond simply growing vegetables. As Gabriel Aguilera, Vice-Rector for Sustainability, Health, and Sport at the University of Almería (UAL), explained during the virtual awards ceremony, “a garden can produce much more than food: mental health, inclusion, learning, well-being, research, and community .” This simple idea has transformed the lives of many people and placed the University of Almería on the map of best practices in universities across Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula.
A project that transforms lives
The inclusive garden benefits approximately 150 people each year, including students, university staff, and members of local community groups. The initiative was originally launched by the CIBIS research center, with the support of four vice-rectorates and the collaboration of numerous social organizations dedicated to inclusion. Its main objective is to create opportunities for people facing integration difficulties , offering a space where contact with nature and teamwork improve mental health and foster social cohesion through community farming.
During her speech, Aguilera emphasized that the award represents “endorsement of an idea we deeply believe in: that universities can transform society when knowledge leaves the classroom and becomes opportunities for people.” The project demonstrates that universities not only train professionals but can also be a driving force for social change when they partner with community organizations and government agencies.
Recognition of the 2030 Agenda
The award also recognizes the inclusive garden's contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda. As the Vice-Rector explained, "This project is our way of making the SDGs a reality ," since it directly impacts holistic health and well-being, quality education, the reduction of inequalities, responsible consumption, and sustainable agriculture . He also emphasized that "sustainability cannot be understood solely from an environmental perspective; it must also integrate inclusion, health, research, innovation, and a commitment to people." This comprehensive approach is precisely what MetaRed valued when awarding the prize in the Governance category.
A shared prize
Gabriel Aguilera extended his recognition to all the people and organizations that make the inclusive garden possible. He specifically mentioned the participants, the professionals, the former director Inmaculada Cubero, the current director Adolfo Cangas, the technical manager Ángel Esteban, the CIBIS research center, the collaborating entity Caja Rural de Granada, and the FAISEMUAL University Chair in Citizenship and Mental Health. “This award belongs to all of them ,” stated the Vice-Rector, who added, “I hope that initiatives like this will demonstrate that universities not only generate knowledge; they also generate hope, social cohesion, and opportunities to build a more sustainable future.”
The MetaRed 2026 International Awards gala brought to a close an edition that evaluated more than 230 initiatives from higher education institutions across Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula. The University of Almería's inclusive garden has established itself as a benchmark at the intersection of social inclusion, mental health, and sustainability, demonstrating that partnerships between universities, government agencies, and the community can generate a real and lasting impact. The 2030 Agenda is not achieved solely through strategies on paper, but rather when those strategies are transformed into people who learn, work, and improve together.
