Budapest’s private raingardens initiative has reached a major milestone: all 22 available opportunities, announced on September 1, 2024, have been filled within just nine months. A total of 25 applicants stepped forward, eager to welcome these innovative green solutions into their own gardens.
This call, launched under the UPSURGE project, aimed to raise awareness and promote nature-based solutions in urban environments. When we announced it, we weren’t sure what kind of response to expect. Unlike previous programs—where residents received physical items like rain barrels or compost bins—this initiative invited participants to allow City Maintainer teams into their private gardens to construct functional raingardens, often requiring the use of machinery. It was a completely new approach.
To build trust and spread the word, Budapest engaged directly with residents at community events such as City Days and the Bikers’ Breakfast, and they organized a dedicated workshop for personal consultation and Q&A. Slowly but steadily, applications started to come in. In the end, we only had to turn down a few, simply due to unsuitable garden conditions.
🌱 Meanwhile, 25 public raingardens were also established across the city to serve as visible examples. Fortunately, the mild winter did not delay construction, and the rainy spring provided ideal growing conditions for the newly planted vegetation.
As the seasons progressed, we asked raingarden owners to share photos—and they’ve been doing so with pride. Many of the gardens planted in late autumn or early spring are now bursting with life. Initially dormant perennials, delayed by cool temperatures and night frosts, have since bloomed beautifully. The transformation has been striking, and the images speak for themselves.
In addition to the residential gardens, similar installations have also been created at district institutions, which can be visited during opening hours (in line with each institution’s visitor rules).
📍 Want to explore?
Click [Click HERE for a map] to view an interactive map of all public and institutional raingardens in the district. If you’re nearby, we encourage you to stop by and take a look. In fact, public raingardens are available for adoption—a great way for residents to contribute to the upkeep of these valuable green spaces.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated and helped bring more greenery and climate resilience to Budapest’s neighborhoods. Let’s keep growing—together!
