Learn More About the Project

Our Goal

The Hortus Medicus project’s goal is to develop a comprehensive 120-hour horticultural therapy training program including educational materials and online learning content. The training program includes a curriculum and a handbook. Both of these educational resources will merge the existing and our new philosophies and practices in the field of horticultural therapy.

We want to create an innovative training that can be provided in the traditional way of contact teaching as well as in the form of a blended learning, with theoretical parts in e-learning.

Our Partnership

Five organizations from four different European nations — Hungary, Austria, Italy, and Romania — will work together on the project. The training programs and educational materials will be put to the test at ten pilot training sessions in both Hungary and Romania.

Regional Peculiarities

Horticultural treatment is widely practiced and acknowledged in Austria and Italy, where there are opportunities for both academic education and practical training in this area.

Horticultural treatment is already being used in a number of hospital and social institutions in Hungary, although no specialized training programs or Hungarian-language manuals are currently available. In Romania even the concept of horticultural therapy is scarcely known, and only a very small number of institutions are now putting the methodology into practice.

In order to address this issue, the Hortus Medicus project is developing curricula for horticultural treatment and related educational resources for Hungary and Romania, as well as enhancing the existing curricula in Austria and Italy with effect measurement techniques and e-learning content.

Who Will Benefit From It

  • The training will provide healthcare and social professionals with the knowledge they need to introduce and implement horticultural therapy in their daily practice, increasing the effectiveness of their work with clients. Horticultural therapy skills will also provide these professionals with an effective burnout prevention strategy.
  • Farmers and agricultural professionals can add horticultural therapy as a new function to their multifunctional farm.
  • In the long run, our project aims to assist in removing barriers caused by physical and mental health issues, as well as to promote the inclusion of disadvantaged people who are affected by mental and physical health issues.