Community gardening as a tool to promote ecological spirituality in ESD

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the potential of community gardening as a transformative tool for fostering ecological spirituality within the framework of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Anchored in a case study conducted in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, Malta, the research explores how the cultivation of green communal spaces can cultivate eco-spiritual awareness, promote sustainable lifestyles, and foster a sense of community belonging. Drawing on a literature review that traces the evolution of ESD and highlights the often-overlooked spiritual dimension of sustainability, the study employs a qualitative methodology including semi-structured interviews, ethnographic observation, and participant reflection. Findings reveal that participants, despite initial unfamiliarity with the term “eco spirituality,” developed a deepened sense of interconnectedness with nature, spiritual responsibility, and commitment to sustainable practices through their involvement in the community garden project. The garden emerged not only as a site of environmental education but as a sacred space for contemplation, social bonding, and spiritual empowerment. This dissertation argues that eco-spirituality, rooted in reverence for nature, communal engagement, and reflective practice, is a crucial, though underexplored, dimension of transformative learning in ESD. The study concludes by recommending the intentional integration of eco-spirituality into sustainability education policies and community-based educational initiatives, particularly in the Maltese context.