Growing Together: The ecoACTIVE and GrowN22 Partnership
At ecoACTIVE, we’re passionate about creating a greener, more sustainable Hackney where communities and nature can thrive together. Over the years, our projects have fostered environmental awareness and engaged local communities in preserving urban biodiversity. Now, with the support of our incredible partner GrowN22, we’re able to expand this work and bring wildlife-friendly gardening and community greening to even more people.
ecoACTIVE Director Jessica Dolan, GrowN22 Director Luke (Duke) Newcombe and Hackney Buzzline Project Manager & Community Ecologist Gerry Tissier.
The Roots of Collaboration
Our journey with GrowN22 began with a shared vision: to build greener, more resilient communities through sustainable, nature-friendly projects. One of our flagship projects, the Hackney Buzzline, aims to create a 4 km pollinator corridor across Hackney. Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Buzzline is designed to provide safe havens for pollinators, connecting fragmented green spaces in Hackney’s urban landscape. But as with most charities, we face limitations in generating ongoing income from our services, which is where GrowN22’s expertise has proven invaluable.
Based in Haringey, GrowN22 is a community interest company that complements our efforts by delivering landscaping and garden maintenance services. Together, we’re not only building sustainable income streams but also driving social and environmental impact at a larger scale. This partnership goes beyond financial sustainability—it’s about creating resilient communities with deep-rooted connections to nature.
Parklet in London Fields
How the Partnership Works
ecoACTIVE and GrowN22 have created a framework that defines our roles. ecoACTIVE acts as the community partner, focusing on sourcing local gardening opportunities, engaging Hackney residents, and building trust within the community. GrowN22 operates as the business partner, handling formal contracts, providing quotes, and employing local gardeners to bring our shared vision to life.
In this partnership, GrowN22 generously donates up to 50% of profits from joint projects back to ecoACTIVE. This approach strengthens our grant-funded initiatives and enables us to expand our community projects, while GrowN22 benefits from our local connections and community goodwill. Together, we’re setting a new standard for community greening that combines environmental responsibility with business sustainability.
First Project: Kingsmead Medical Centre Pollinator Garden
Our first joint project with GrowN22 was a pollinator-friendly garden at Kingsmead Medical Centre. Originally proposed as a community project, the garden faced challenges due to restricted public access. But with GrowN22’s involvement, we were able to transform this initiative into a funded opportunity, using a community-approved design that reflects our shared values. This project created employment for local gardeners, reused materials for nearby community gardens, and strengthened the Hackney Buzzline’s impact on local pollinator networks.
The garden build was completed in October, and our Postcode Gardener, employed by GrowN22, will plant it in the coming weeks. The project also generated a £500 donation to ecoACTIVE, which will support our broader greening efforts throughout Hackney.
A Greener Future for Hackney’s Street Parklets
Our second collaboration with GrowN22 involves maintaining 15 Hackney Council parklets—small green spaces scattered across the borough. When Hackney Council sought a local partner to maintain these spaces with an emphasis on wildlife-friendly practices, ecoACTIVE and GrowN22 rose to the occasion. Together, we developed a proposal that highlighted drought-tolerant, pollinator-friendly plants, aligning with Hackney’s green infrastructure and nature recovery goals.
This parklet maintenance contract, starting in December, has already enabled us to secure additional funding for a cargo bike, which will allow our postcode gardener to maintain the parklets with zero emissions. This is a win for our sustainability goals and aligns perfectly with our commitment to eco-friendly practices.
The Impact and Vision
Our partnership with GrowN22 represents more than just a business arrangement; it’s a model for how community-centred, eco-friendly initiatives can generate sustainable revenue and enhance urban biodiversity. With the funds from these projects, ecoACTIVE can continue to support the Hackney Buzzline, engage more community members, and expand green spaces across Hackney.
By combining environmental goals with commercial potential, ecoACTIVE and GrowN22 are paving the way for similar collaborations with public bodies, councils, and housing associations. Our partnership demonstrates that community greening projects can deliver meaningful environmental, social, and economic benefits, setting an example for other organisations aiming to create positive change.
As we continue to grow together and cultivate more community spaces, ecoACTIVE and GrowN22 are showing that partnerships based on shared values and ecological awareness can drive lasting, positive change. Together, we’re committed to building a greener, healthier, and more connected Hackney—one community garden, parklet, and pollinator pathway at a time.
