As autumn unfolds, Jerusalem is preparing a season-long celebration of sustainability and civic engagement. From September to December 2025, the city will host dozens of events that weave together community, environment, and innovation – a tapestry of urban resilience rooted in both tradition and renewal.
The “Green Inside and Out” Festival – a Jerusalem sustainability landmark
The highlight of the season arrives during Sukkot, between October 8–10, with the fifth annual “Green Inside and Out” festival. This flagship event has become a symbol of Jerusalem’s urban sustainability. Built in collaboration with residents, community councils, and local institutions, it offers lectures, tours, workshops, performances, and exhibitions – all open to the public and designed for every age group. For the first time, the festival will expand beyond Jerusalem, marking its transformation into a potential national model for civic green initiatives.
Sustainability fairs and community gardens – building neighborhood resilience
Throughout the festival, four major community gardens will host sustainability fairs. These spaces, increasingly recognized as neighborhood sustainability centers, will feature second-hand markets, food rescue initiatives, children’s creative workshops, and live music. The gardens represent more than local green lungs – they are laboratories of collective responsibility and ecological citizenship in Jerusalem.
A “No Shopping Month” – rethinking consumer culture
In November, Jerusalem will dedicate an entire month to reimagining consumption. The “No Shopping Month” campaign will include workshops on bicycle repair, food rescue, olive harvests, yoga sessions, foraging walks, and holiday-themed activities in community gardens and urban forests. By challenging consumerism, the initiative seeks to foster awareness of sustainability as a cultural value rather than a private lifestyle choice.
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Urban sustainability – Jerusalem’s strategic vision
The Department of Social Sustainability at Jerusalem Municipality emphasizes its mission to preserve urban nature, launch innovative projects, and empower community-based green leadership. Mayor Moshe Lion underscored the city’s commitment: “Jerusalem is pioneering urban sustainability in Israel. The extensive investment in natural sites and community programs reflects our obligation to integrate nature, community, and environment for a better quality of life.”
Jerusalem as a model for urban sustainability in Israel
Jerusalem is not content with a green image alone. Its success in mobilizing residents and creating large-scale engagement positions it as a national benchmark. By merging heritage with environmental innovation, Jerusalem projects an identity that is both ancient and forward-looking – a city rooted in history yet aspiring to be a universal hub of sustainable urban life.
