Kyiv's VDNH therapeutic garden wins New European Bauhaus Prize

A therapeutic garden at VDNH, the sprawling exhibition complex in Kyiv, has won a New European Bauhaus Prize, one of the European Union's design and sustainability awards.

According to Suspilne Culture, the project was named best in the category "Strengthening local democracy and ensuring inclusion". It was chosen from more than 700 applications.

Plans to expand

The garden's team says it intends to scale the project up and build similar spaces elsewhere. The plans include the grounds of medical facilities where military personnel undergo rehabilitation, Suspilne reported.

The source gave no timeline, locations or budget for the expansion. It also did not say who will fund it or which hospitals might host new gardens. Details of the garden's design, opening date and the organisations behind it were not included in the report.

Background

VDNH is a large exhibition and park complex in Kyiv. It dates to the Soviet era, when it was set up as a showcase of economic achievements. In recent years it has been used for public events, exhibitions and urban projects.

The New European Bauhaus is an EU initiative that brings together design, architecture, art and sustainability. It supports projects that aim to make living spaces more beautiful, sustainable and inclusive. Its annual prizes recognise projects in several categories, including the one the VDNH garden won.

The award comes as Ukraine deals with the long-term toll of the war on mental and physical health, and as rehabilitation for wounded soldiers and veterans becomes a growing public concern. The source does not say how the garden is used or whether it already works with veterans, so the link to rehabilitation here rests on the team's stated plans.

RealUA has not previously covered the garden, and the information in this report comes from a single Telegram post by Suspilne Culture, which credited the photo to VDNH.