Soil is the foundation of our food systems, a habitat for biodiversity, and a critical ally in building climate resilience. It supports our economies, shapes our landscapes, and preserves our cultural heritage. However, this vital resource is under threat, with an estimated 60-70% of soils in the EU considered unhealthy. The degradation of this fragile ecosystem poses a direct challenge to our collective well-being and a sustainable future.
In response to this pressing issue, the European Commission has launched a series of actions, including the EU Soil Strategy for 2030, the proposal for a pioneering Soil Monitoring Law, and the ambitious Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe”.
The Mission aims to catalyse a transition towards healthy soils across the continent. Its core strategy involves establishing a network of 100 Living Labs and Lighthouses by 2030, which will co-create knowledge, test innovative solutions, and demonstrate their real-world impact to enhance soil health.
The 2025 Mission Soil Topics on Living Labs: Funding Opportunities
Under the Horizon Europe framework, the European Commission has launched two new topics for 2025 designed to expand the network of Soil Health Living Labs. These two topics will fund the establishment of approximately 20 new Living Labs.
Living Labs for Soil Remediation and Green Redevelopment of Brownfields
- Submission: Single-stage
- Deadline: 30 September 2025, 17:00 CEST
Living Labs to Enhance Soil Health in Continental, Boreal and Alpine Biogeographical Regions
- Submission: Two-stage
- Deadlines: 4 September 2025 (Stage 1) & 18 February 2026 (Stage 2), 17:00 CEST
SOILL-Startup's 2025 Engagement Event Series
To guide and support prospective applicants, SOILL-Startup designed a dedicated series of engagement events throughout May and June 2025. These sessions provided practical guidance on navigating the funding opportunities and developing strong proposals in relation to the 2025 Mission Soil topics.
If you missed them, watch the recordings of past events and explore what we’ve uncovered.
The event brought together key stakeholders to advance soil health policy and practice. Through expert talks and panel discussions, participants explored how regions and local actors can implement sustainable soil management and co-create impactful Living Labs.
At this conference, SOILL-Startup detailed the 2025 funding opportunities and outlined its support framework for both aspiring and established Living Labs, positioning them as open innovation ecosystems for co-creation.
This session delved into the powerful synergies between organic/agroecological farming and the Mission Soil. Attendees gained a deep understanding of how these agricultural systems directly contribute to soil health and achieve sustainability goals within a Living Lab framework.
Mission Soil Living Labs and Soil Literacy: Empowering Communities for Healthy Soils (11 June 2025)
This event explored how soil literacy can drive systemic change, equipping participants with compelling examples, methodologies, and tools to promote soil education within Living Lab contexts and inspire cross-sector proposal development.
Clean and Healthy Soils Involving Local and Regional Authorities (12 June 2025)
Tailored for local and regional authorities, this session demystified the process of taking action on soil restoration. Participants learned how to access funding, connect with peers, and take concrete first steps toward launching a Soil Health Living Lab in their region.
From the Ground Up: Citizens Cultivating Soil Health (24 June 2025)
Highlighting the power of community-led action, this event focused on the critical role citizens can play within Living Labs. It provided inspiration for bottom-up initiatives and offered practical guidance on aligning them with Mission Soil objectives and funding calls.
Mark Your Calendar: 18 September 2025
SOILL-Startup's engagement continues. We invite you to join us for the upcoming hybrid event: “Europe's First Soil Monitoring Law: Opportunities for Policy, Research, and Practice”.
- 18 September 2025
- 09:00–14:00 CEST
- Brussels & Online
The event will connect policy, science, and practice to foster collaboration and shared understanding. We will shed light on how the new Soil Monitoring Law creates timely opportunities for future Living Labs and how these labs can, in turn, support its successful implementation.
Stay tuned for the full agenda and register for the event here.