Caring for Soils: Insights from EU Mission Soil Projects on Measurement, Monitoring, and Management

World Soil Day, celebrated annually on 5 December, highlights the vital role of healthy soils in ensuring food security, combating climate change and fostering environmental sustainability. This year’s theme, "Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage," emphasises the critical need for accurate soil data to inform sustainable soil practices. In order to keep the focus on this theme, SOILL-Startup organised with other projects under the EU Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’ the Webinar “Caring for Soils: Insights from EU Mission Soil Projects on Measurement, Monitoring, and Management”. The event spotlighted innovative and current solutions for soil measuring, monitoring, and managing, by showcasing efforts and contribution of the EU Mission Soil projects. 

The webinar took place on 12 December 2024 at 10:00 CET and brought together representatives from key projects — SOILL-Startup, AI4Soil Health, MARVIC, BENCHMARKS, and MRV4SOC — illustrating how these projects were advancing soil health through innovation, technology, and research. The event showcased the valuable contributions of the Mission Soil projects, focussing on how their efforts align with the global call to action. 

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Who attended the event? 

• Potential consortium members applying for 2025 EU Missions projects focused on soil health. 
• Mission Soil Living Labs or actors interested in applying to the dedicated Mission Soil funding opportunities to set up Mission Soil Living Labs 
• Researchers, innovators, and practitioners in soil science, agriculture, climate action, and digital technologies. 
• Policy-makers involved in soil and land management. 
• Land managers and private sector organisations interested in innovative soil health solutions. 

Why they attended? 

Attendees explored how the EU Mission Soil projects were advancing soil measurement, monitoring, and management practices and learnt about synergies between initiatives and opportunities for collective action. They also gained insights into overcoming obstacles in achieving sustainable soil health. Additionally, the event provided a chance to hear directly from European Commission experts about policies and objectives related to soil health, offering an understanding of upcoming funding opportunities and research priorities. Attending this webinar offered a unique opportunity to connect with leading experts and innovative projects addressing soil health issues, such as soil degradation, carbon sequestration and biodiversity loss. Attendees had the chance to engage in a dynamic discussion with representatives from pioneering projects that are at the forefront of soil health innovation. 

Key Takeaways

• An overview of innovative projects and how they contribute to a sustainable soil future. 
• Networking opportunities for future collaborations in soil-related consortia. 
• A deeper understanding of the Mission Soil objectives and upcoming opportunities.