Soils for Europe

Tackling Soil Degradation: A European Priority

The “Soils for Europe” event, scheduled for 30 April 2025 at the European Parliament (ASP 5G1) and online, offers a timely plaform for addressing the urgent challenge of soil degradation in the EU. Organised by Renew Europe, the University of Coimbra, and PAN Europe in the framework of the Horizon Europe project "SOLO – Soils for Europe," the event will gather policymakers, scientists, and stakeholders to explore the implications of the recently reached trilogue agreement on the proposed Soil Monitoring and Resilience Directive. 

Science, Policy and Practice: Strengthening the Interface

With 60 to 70% of EU soils reported to be in poor health, the event will focus on strengthening the science-policy interface, examining soil functions and monitoring, and discussing the practical implementation of the Directive at the national level. SOLO, the Horizon Europe project leading the event, plays an important role in shaping the EU’s soil research and innovation agenda by identifying knowledge gaps, challenges, and transformative opportunities. The project aims to create a lasting knowledge hub to support cross-sector collaboration in soil health and resilience well beyond its 2027 conclusion.

SOILL-Startup and ENOLL at the event

Also featured at the event will be SOILL-Startup, which serves as a one-stop structure for coordination, support, and expansion of the Mission Soil Living Lab network. The European Network of Living Labs (ENOLL), which coordinates SOILL, will be represented by its president, Wim De Kinderen. During the event, the ENOLL president will present the vision and activities of SOILL-Strutup, highlighting the vital role of Living Labs in fostering innovation and community engagement for soil health. The participation of ENOLL and SOILL-Startup in the event underscores a shared commitment to enhancing collaboration at the interface of science, policy, and society in pursuit of sustainable soil stewardship.