This book is an ethnographic inquiry into the complex socio-ecological relationalities in an inclusive, intercultural community garden in Germany, originally created as a “refugees welcome” project in 2015. It explores this quietly political space of civic everyday life which seeks to foster care for both people and planet. In three ethnographic narrations, the book offers power-critical reflections on social encounters, participation, (in)equalities and the dynamics between ‘the host’ and ‘the newcomer’ in home-making.

The book increases our understanding of how people with refugee biographies shape their surroundings as active agents and how communities navigate social heterogeneity. Furthermore, the narrations shed light on how the doings of people are entangled with the more-than-human such as plants, soils, animals, water and more. Contributing towards the field of social scientific publications that explore the dynamics of migration, belonging, and community-making in pluralistic societies, it takes a transdisciplinary shape, entering into dialogue with literature in sociology, anthropology, (community) education, geography and environmental philosophy.

As such, the book will be of interest for researchers and university students of all levels in the field of sociology, education, social work, anthropology, political science or related fields. It will also be useful for (civil) organisations working within the field of refugee support and/or integration, policy makers and (local) governments.

Susanne Paulus (PhD) is a social researcher, writer and educator deeply concerned with transformative contributions to social justice and ecological sustainability. Her research interest lies in relational approaches to research, in particular ethnographic and poetic inquiry. Susanne holds a PhD from the University of Edinburgh and is currently affiliated with the University of Education (Pädagogische Hochschule) in Freiburg i.Br. in Southern Germany. In recent years, she has worked for the Swiss Centre of Expertise for Education for Sustainable Development (éducation21) as well as for civil organisations, i.e. in an advocacy project for young refugees and a local initiative promoting global citizenship (education).