Organizer Information

Radicepura is a world-renowned botanical park and horticultural hub located in Giarre, Sicily. The Radicepura Garden Festival, under the artistic direction of Emanuela Rosa-Clot (editor of Gardenia and Bell’Italia), is the first international event dedicated to Mediterranean garden design. The festival aims to promote the excellence of the landscape and the botanical heritage of the Mediterranean, providing a platform for innovation, research, and environmental awareness.

Title & Description

Gardens of Hope: Cultivating Coexistence.

This biennial festival’s theme explores the garden as a place for human and botanical dialogue. Instead of humans simply shaping nature, the project seeks designs that favor coexistence over control. A "Garden of Hope" should act as a sanctuary that uplifts the spirit, teaching patience through the slow rhythms of seasonal growth and ecological harmony. It is a classroom where life feels possible even after hardship, emphasizing natural adaptation and the optimism of growth.

Category

Landscape Architecture, Garden Design, and Green Professionals.

Eligibility

  • Age: Reserved for young professionals under 36 years old.
  • Profession: Open to landscape designers, architects, agronomists, and green industry experts.
  • Scope: Individual or collective submissions are welcome from any nationality.

Program Benefits & Awards

  • Implementation: Selected projects will be built and showcased within the Radicepura botanical park in Sicily.
  • Visibility: High-profile international exposure to press, landscape professionals, and a global audience.
  • Mentorship: Professional support from the Radicepura team and exposure to the expertise of the artistic director.
  • Networking: Opportunity to engage with a community of international designers and botanical experts.

Application Fee

There is no fee to apply.

Application Requirements

  • Design Vision: Proposals should feature a mix of native, exotic, and hybrid plants that foster wildlife habitats.
  • Structural Elements: Incorporation of perennial flowers, layered plantings, and water features.
  • User Experience: Designs must include seating or terraces that encourage visitors to observe natural rhythms at a slow pace.
  • Ecological Strategy: Plans should demonstrate how the garden adapts naturally to its environment, allowing the plants to guide the human experience.

How to Apply

Submissions are accepted via the official Radicepura Garden Festival Application Portal.

Key Dates

  • Application Deadline: October 30, 2026.
  • Festival Launch: Scheduled for the 2027 season (following selection and implementation).

Location

Giarre, Sicily, Italy (Radicepura Park).

Additional Details

The selection committee expects to see gardens that celebrate seasonal cycles—from sprouting bulbs to fallen leaves—rather than static displays. The goal is to create a living archive of biodiversity that prioritizes the health of the local ecosystem while providing a therapeutic space for visitors.

Contact Information