In the southern Portuguese city of Tavira, climate change is no longer a distant threat — it is a lived experience. From prolonged droughts to water restrictions and rising sea levels, the region is confronting growing environmental pressures that demand local, sustainable solutions.

This new short documentary explores how the PHOENIX pilot in Tavira responded to these challenges through the creation of participatory food gardens. These gardens have become a space not only for cultivating crops, but for cultivating trust, democratic participation, and ecological awareness.

Featuring voices from local farmers, municipal officials, and young people, the film highlights how food systems can become a powerful entry point for rethinking the relationship between citizens and public institutions. It also shows how local actions — like choosing native crops or building short food supply chains — can contribute to broader climate adaptation strategies.

Crucially, the Tavira pilot demonstrated that public participation doesn’t have to be a formality: it can be real, tangible, and transformative. From community consultations to long-term engagement, the project planted the seeds of a new democratic ecology — one rooted in local knowledge and shared responsibility.

🎬 Watch the full video below and discover how the people of Tavira are building a more resilient and participatory future.