About Groundwork Mishima
Groundwork's origins can be traced back to the late 1970s when the Countryside Commission was faced with the physical decline of communities throughout the UK. The first Groundwork trust was established in Merseyside in 1981 and strived to build sustainable communities through joint environmental action, based on the belief that better neighbourhoods can also lead to socioeconomic prosperity.
The focal point of Groundwork UK is its trusts which employ highly-trained staff to work with locals to regenerate and revitalise their surroundings in 6 main areas: communities, land, employment, education, business and youth. The Groundwork Federation currently includes about 50 trusts in the UK and has since expanded beyond these borders.
In Japan, Groundwork was first introduced in 1992, and later Groundwork Mishima was established as a product of the city's waterside regeneration scheme. Boosted by the new partnership of 8 civil organizations, local governent and companies, Groundwork Mishima actively promoted international exchange. Most notable is that with Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale, a trust active in the birthplace of Groundwork in northwest England, which lead to a partnership agreement in 2003.
Groundwork Mishima is committed to the improvement and regeneration of more than 40 project sites throughout Mishima city. Projects include the regeneration of the polluted Genbei River, propagation of the aquatic plant Mishima Baikamo, firefly restoration and the establishment of biotope nature gardens in schools.
As the effectiveness of these partnerships became increasingly clear, the Groundwork approach spread throughout Japan. The Japan Groundwork Association was established in 1994 with the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Groundwork UK.
Biotope nature gardens |
Genbee River |
Pocket park |
Mishima Baikamo |