On March 22, 2025, Haguenau witnessed a significant community engagement when a coalition including the PCF Nord-Alsace, the Nouveau Front Populaire Nord-Alsace, the Mouvement Contre le Racisme et l’Amitié Entre les Peuples, the CGT, and Solidaires organized a rally against racism. The event aimed to unite citizens in a fight against intolerance and promote solidarity among communities.
The rally took place amid a backdrop of ongoing discussions about inclusivity and anti-racism initiatives throughout the region. Alban Fabacher, the Deputy Mayor dedicated to participatory governance and communication, underscored the importance of community involvement in shaping policies that affect local lives. "We want to involve residents in our decisions to foster a more inclusive Haguenau," he remarked during the event.
In a parallel development, Haguenau's Parc des Berges de la Moder celebrated the completion of a new 'jardin comestible' (edible garden), which officially opened on the same day as the anti-racism rally. This garden features around fifteen planting containers and is the brainchild of local residents Jean-Gérard and Kyllian Jung, contributing to the city's 2024 participatory budget. With species like gooseberry bushes, hazel trees, grapevines, goji trees, and raspberry bushes in place, the goal is to create a fruit-bearing landscape accessible to the public.
Jean-Gérard Jung articulated the vision behind this project: "We wanted to create an educational garden with fruit accessible to everyone so that passersby can witness the evolution of the fruit throughout the year." The initiative encourages citizens, particularly those without gardens, to connect with nature and understand the seasonal growth of fruit-bearing plants. As the fruits mature, they will be available for public picking, with a convenient water source nearby for immediate washing.
In addition to the garden, the city has also planted 40 fruit trees along the Chemin du Parcage as part of this ongoing effort to enhance local greenery and promote biodiversity. Such projects are part of the broader initiative by the city to foster a sense of community while being environmentally conscious.
Haguenau isn’t just focusing on edible landscapes; it’s also pursuing enhancements in civic spaces. The ongoing development of the Route de Haguenau in Marienthal was inaugurated on the same day as the rally and the garden opening. This redevelopment, completed in the summer of 2024, stems from prior community consultations where residents expressed their needs and desires for the area.
Fabacher highlighted the cooperative nature of these initiatives: "It’s crucial that our projects correspond to the expectations and needs of Haguenau residents. We need to actively listen to their feedback to ensure our actions align with their aspirations. The success of projects depends on community involvement at every stage."
Looking ahead, Jean-Gérard Jung revealed his ambition for future participatory projects. He is considering proposing a "jardin des saveurs de fraternité" (garden of flavors of fraternity) for the 2025 budget participatory campaign, inspired by the success of both the edible garden and the philosophical garden—another initiative he previously supported. This garden would incorporate ten aromatic plants, each symbolizing a letter of the word "fraternity," alongside corresponding quotes to further educate visitors about communal values.
As citizens of Haguenau watch these community-driven projects unfold, the significant rally against racism reflects a growing awareness and push for inclusivity in the region. This dual effort of planting both literal and metaphorical seeds of community connection through gardening and rallies emphasizes that unity and participation are key to overcoming societal challenges.
Efforts from local governments, residents, and community organizations highlight the successful potential of participatory budgeting in not just beautifying the landscape but also enriching the social fabric of the community.
