Our Garden's History
Gandhi’s saying, “Be the change you want to see in the world,” has guided my commitment and the co-creation of my projects for over 30 years.
In late 2020, surrounded by my two sons, ages 20 and 22, and their friends, the veil lifted, and a deep desire emerged to take action by creating a safe space for young people connected to the earth—a space that fosters a sense of self and connection to others, no matter what the future holds—and to actively participate in growing their own vegetables and nurturing relationships, supporting biodiversity, and celebrating the world.
"Opportunities are always within reach, and with the support of my peers, the world is mine!"
Eliora Chatillon, Founder
The JDJ Youth Committee
Our passionate and dedicated team working on the Jardins des Jeunes project
The Admin and Promotion Team
Helping young people get to know themselves better, develop their talents, and move forward with confidence on their own path through a connection to the land and the JDJ experience! It’s a comprehensive program that also involves a lot of administrative work behind the scenes.
The Organization & School Workshops Team
Michaël Cid, who is passionate about ecology and human well-being, and Eliora Chatillon are committed to creating a harmonious living environment and preserving natural spaces. A quality of life based on balanced biodiversity—including flora, fauna, and ecosystems—for everyone.
The Educational Outreach Team
, “Sillon d’avenir”
Eliora Chatillon and
Figa Goran provide guidance to young people in the garden as part of the “
” and “Sillon d’Avenir” workshops
, as well as the “Jardin découvertes” program
throughout the season.
THE SPEAKERS
Meet the facilitators of the workshops we organize in the garden: rich and varied experiences designed to foster early learning, sharing, and a connection to the natural world.
Through a multidisciplinaryand inspiring, we open the garden to young people and share our skills and knowledge—as well as good times
We look forward to seeing you there!
How to Get to the Garden
The garden is located very close to downtown Geneva:
90 Route de Pré-Marais | 1233 Bernex
Entrance for pedestrians, bicycles, and cars
Here are the nearby TPG stops:
– “Bains de Cressy”: Bus 43 (400 m)
– “Vallet”: Bus 2 (650 m)
– “Croisée de Confignon”: Tram 14, Bus 40 & 42 (1.1 km)
Parking: on the property
HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT OUR "JARDINS DES JEUNES" PROJECT?
Find out who supports us—our partners with whom we build relationships and exchange goods.
Your donations, which are tax-deductible, whether large or small, are an essential contribution to the success of our project. Thank you for believing in Les Jardins des Jeunes and for supporting us!
Fun Facts and GALLERY
The committee team and the young gardeners of the JDJ
A close-knit and highly dedicated team committed to bringing the garden to life and growing all kinds of plants, including those inspired by their own creative vision for the garden.
From left to right in the image:
Micha, a first-year agronomy student at Hepia, wants to experiment with planting projects alongside her studies, to cultivate a garden that reflects her personality and connects her to the land and its crops.
Mika holds a CFC in horticulture—nursery specialist from the École de l’Huillier. In the field of vegetable farming and its year-round planning, he is dedicated to and passionate about supporting the biodiversity of living species.
Michaël, a lecturer, high school biology teacher, permaculture gardener, and specialist in natural nutrition and health, and co-organizer of the Jardins des Jeunes.
Eliora, founder of the garden
Teo, a sophomore in Earth Sciences at Hepia, is interested in horticulture and is involved in the garden project to grow his own plants and support the biodiversity of local flora and fauna.
In the first photo: our gardeners—Taha, who’s passionate about medicinal plants; José, who loves gardening and spearheaded the JDJ reform in the summer of 2025; and our very own Benji!
Mafé and Fatima, two young women enrolled in a CFC program in Luillier, joined us in the spring of 2025, much to everyone’s delight.
In addition to the team, thank you to everyone else who has lent a hand since the project began, helping us build what we have today.
A big thank you to all of you!
The Admin & Getting the Word Out Duo
Steven arrived as a volunteer in December 2024 and was able to transform the inspiration he drew from the early days of the Jardins des Jeunes into a defining commitment.
Today, he brings to the table his expertise in sustainable agriculture—both in the field and in organizational management—as well as his commitment to supporting biodiversity, ensuring consistency in actions, and respecting individuals within their environment.
Driven by a search for meaning, Steven is part of a vibrant, human-centered community, wholeheartedly contributing to the growth of a place that is both nurturing and inspiring.
This meaningful partnership with Eliora, driven by a wonderful energy, is actively contributing to the achievement of key milestones in the development of the JDJ association.
MICHAËL CID & Eliora Chatillon
Michaël is a biologist and a biology teacher at Middle School I. He has a degree in nutrition and health, is an environmentalist, and is a permaculturist.
And Michael is, above all, a great dad to his two daughters, ages 7 and 12.
He is a co-organizer of the JDJ alongside Eliora Chatillon, the founder of the JDJ and a mentor to the young people in the garden.
The speakers
David LAOU
I am on a journey of exploration and connection—in full awareness—with myself, with other humans and non-humans, and with the world around us. Since 2016, I have been committed to promoting and making Nonviolent Communication accessible to others, and I find fulfillment in activities that foster connection: mediation, collective intelligence, and facilitation, all in service of the Geneva community… it’s both a joy and a source of meaning!
Hélène CARRERA
Hélène, who has been passionate about ornithology for over 30 years, completed a two-year training program at BirdLife.
Member of the GOBG (Geneva Basin Ornithological Association). She leads workshops and bird-watching outings in partnership with the municipalities of Confignon and Onex, as well as one-time projects such as installing birdhouses.
Cédric PERILLAT
A passionate beekeeper, Cédric founded the Printemps Abeilles association and helps us monitor and care for our apiary throughout the seasons.
Path to the Future
At Jardins des Jeunes, through our Sillon d’Avenir program, we help vulnerable young people—particularly those who have dropped out of school or come from foster care—to rebuild their lives and regain their self-confidence.
The garden becomes a powerful tool for making an impact: a tangible space for experimentation, empowerment, and self-worth, enabling young people to reconnect with their inner resources and envision a meaningful future.
Through this personalized and supportive guidance, young people build self-esteem and develop independence, perseverance, and cooperation, which helps them integrate into the workforce and society.
The Strength of a Complementary Duo
image
The support offered at Les Jardins des Jeunes also draws on the strengths of the complementary partnership between Cédric and Eliora, who combine professional expertise with personal warmth.
Their joint presence provides young people with a framework that is both structured and supportive, fostering trust, active listening, and emotional security. Thanks to the complementary nature of their approaches and sensibilities, they create a space conducive to self-expression, personal growth, and the development of a solid sense of self.
Overview
image
Eliora Chatillon
I really enjoy working with young people at the JDJ; these are opportunities to meet some truly exceptional young people.
My specialty? I help them believe in themselves, discover their strengths, and move forward with confidence toward a future that’s right for them.
As part of the Sillon d’avenir program, we offer structured support specifically designed for at-risk youth (such as school dropouts or those living in shelters).
My approach combines Steiner education, life coaching, and garden-based mediation to foster personal development, self-confidence, and social integration.
Our goal is to enable every young person to draw on their own resources, regain confidence so they can look to the future with optimism, and find their place in society.
Our Garden's History
The start of 2020 calls for a period of reflection on how to support each individual, parents, and especially young people who have been hit hardest by the pandemic in terms of their studies, friendships, and future.
The Atlas New Generation branch was launched with the goal of finding a space “open” to young people ages 18 to 28 next to the Maison de la Famille.
At the end of the pandemic, La Maison de la Famille became La Maison d’Eliora, and with the addition of the garden—which had been in the works for two years—the Jardins des Jeunes came to life in May 2023 and welcomed its first young people in September 2023, following a successful initial launch.
The courses, workshop program, and coaching sessions—which offer tools to promote the personal growth and well-being of young adults, teenagers, and families—are continuing!
Eliora’s vision extends out into the world. As a reflection of our inner world, the families we come from have not always been a model we wish to fully replicate in our hearts or with our own children when we become parents.
So let us be, as Gandhi said, the change we wish to see in our world.
In the summer of 2025, the organization Les Jardins des Jeunes will become an independent entity separate from Maison d’Eliora, in order to facilitate communication and enhance its visibility among young people and all stakeholders involved in our project.
Here are the two organizations, Les Jardins des Jeunes and La Maison d’Eliora, both of which are independent but managed by the same board and operate within the same scope of activity.
Each organization has its own Instagram account and website!
What a job! But nothing can stop us from pursuing our vision of supporting young people—helping them connect with themselves and their potential, with life, and with our beautiful planet, which brings meaning and well-being to young people. We see this firsthand on our organic farm, where every action has purpose!