Soil is one of the most essential resources on the planet. It sustains food production, filters water, supports biodiversity, and helps regulate the climate. And yet, its value is often overlooked in both policy debates and public awareness.
To confront this gap, the EU Soil Observatory (EUSO) organised the Advancing Soil Literacy workshop on 13–14 March 2025 at the Joint Research Centre in Ispra, Italy, in cooperation with the European Network of Soil Awareness and the Soil Mission. The event brought together a diverse group of researchers, educators, and project leaders working across Europe to explore and discuss how to make soil knowledge more visible, engaging, and impactful in everyday life.
SOILL-Startup was proud to participate in this timely event, contributing insights on how to build soil literacy through locally embedded and collaborative approaches. Representing the project, coordinator Giulia Campodonico shared SOILL-Startup’s role in supporting the expanding network of Soil Health Living Labs and Lighthouses (SHLL/LHs), environments where sustainable soil practices are developed, tested, and shared. While Living Labs are widely recognized as spaces for innovation, it was highlighted that they also serve as environments for learning, where scientific knowledge becomes a catalyst for civic awareness and engagement.
Discussions over the two days revealed a common vision: advancing soil literacy requires more than just communication, it demands co-creation. From citizen science and experiential learning to arts-based education and community-led workshops, participants stressed the importance of tailoring messages to local contexts and making soil relevant to different audiences. As one of the key themes of the workshop, this idea resonated strongly with SOILL’s ongoing work to support diverse regional actors across Europe.
The event provided a valuable opportunity for exchange with other projects that share strong synergies with SOILL-Startup. Conversations with colleagues such as Annalaura Vannuccini (HuMUS project), Margherita Caggiano (ReSoil Foundation), Tanja Mimmo (ECHO), and representatives from PREPSOIL highlighted the rich landscape of initiatives working toward common goals. By aligning efforts and sharing experiences, these projects are collectively helping to shape a more soil-literate Europe.
Insights and slides from the event are available here.
From Insight to Action: SOILL-Startup’s 2025 Next Steps
The workshop reinforced the urgency of scaling soil literacy efforts, a priority SOILL-Startup is addressing head-on. Soon, the project will launch a series of thematic events, including a dedicated one on soil literacy. These gatherings will spotlight successful case studies from SHLL/LHs, equipping participants with replicable strategies to engage local communities, policymakers, and educators.
By creating spaces for knowledge exchange and co-creation, SOILL-Startup aims to embed soil health into broader conversations about sustainability and resilience. The Ispra workshop was a pivotal step in this journey, demonstrating the power of collective action to transform how society values this vital resource.
Stay updated on upcoming events, resources, and opportunities from the SOILL community!