Mission Soil Update
date: 23/05/2024
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You can also read the French and German version of this Newsletter here.
The year 2024 will mark a significant milestone for the EU Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’ (Mission Soil) with the launch of the first set of 25 Living Labs. These initial Living Labs include hundreds of individual real-life sites where land managers will test innovative soil health solutions on their plots. A similar number of Living Labs are expected to emerge from each future annual Work Programme. The Mission is thus making rapid progress on its goal of establishing a network of 100 Living Labs and Lighthouses to lead the transition towards healthy soils by 2030.
The results of the Mission’s Living Labs are expected to be replicated and scaled up by around 1 000 Operational Groups to work on soil quality improvement, financed by the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), bringing together farmers, scientists and industry at the local level to find solutions to soil challenges, such as fertility, water management or pest control.
The Mission has built a strong connection with the CAP, which will invest more than €40 billion to improve soil quality. The Mission is involved in two thirds of the CAP strategic plans at the national level.
Last year, progress was made in monitoring soil health in the EU with the launch of the EUSO Soil Health Dashboard, led by the Joint Research Centre. The dashboard provides a comprehensive and user-friendly overview of the state of soil health in the EU through 19 indicators. It shows where scientific evidence converges to indicate areas that are likely to be affected by soil degradation processes and areas where no available soil degradation indicator exceeds the established thresholds. The dashboard also aims to support the implementation of the European Commission’s proposal for a Directive on Soil Monitoring and Resilience.
On 10 April 2024 the European Parliament adopted its position on the Commission’s proposal for a Soil Monitoring Law with 366 votes in favour. Members of the European Parliament support efforts to monitor and improve the EU soil status and foster sustainable soil management practices. The document will be followed up by the new Parliament after the European elections on 6-9 June.
Read on to learn more on the latest news and developments within the Mission Soil.
Commission launches new calls for proposals under Horizon Europe
The Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023–2025 was published on 17 April 2024. The Mission Soil Work Programme 2024 includes nine topics, with submission opened since 8 May 2024 and a total indicative budget of €134.5 million. Projects are called to work on monitoring soil erosion and nitrogen fluxes, soil health and pollinators, soil biodiversity for healthy crops, carbon farming, and forest peatsoils. Moreover, new funding opportunities are available to establish more soil health Living Labs (with a specific topic on urban areas), and to cooperate for soil health in Africa. The application deadline is 8 October 2024.
EU Missions and Cross-Cutting Activities Info Days
The EU Missions and Cross-Cutting Activities Info Days took place on 25 and 26 April 2024. The event aimed to inform individuals about funding opportunities for projects aligned with the five EU Missions' goals in health, climate and the environment. The Mission Soil was featured on the first day of the event. Participants had the opportunity to learn more and ask questions about the Mission’s implementation and the nine topics from its 2024 Work Programme.
New Mission Soil video on soil biodiversity
Dive into the world of soil biodiversity with Mission Soil's latest video and help spread the message! Share the video to raise awareness about the crucial role soil organisms play in our ecosystem and the importance of Mission Soil's goal to protect and restore soil health. Together, let's make a difference and ensure a sustainable future for our planet. Watch the video.
Help us select the best research proposals to deliver on the EU Mission Soil
The Mission Soil 2024 call for proposals opened in May and will be evaluated from October. We are seeking experienced and motivated specialists in soil-related areas to help us evaluate project proposals and select innovative ideas to accelerate restoration and ensure soil protection.
Interested in working with us as an evaluator? Here's what you need to know:
- If you haven't already, register in the Commission’s experts database to be considered as an evaluator.
- If you're already in the database, ensure you regularly update your profile. Use relevant keywords that align with the objectives of the Mission Soil, such as: soil health – business strategies (for soil health, carbon removals); land management policies; modelling approaches; participatory research (including citizen engagement); regional and national decision makers; soil health indicators (including benchmarks and thresholds); soil health restoration; soil monitoring; sustainable soil management practices, solutions and tools for different soil types (including nature-based solutions, agroecology, integrated pest management).
- Update your profile with your experience and expertise in cross-cutting aspects of research and innovation (e.g. co-creation, open innovation, financial management of projects, Intellectual Property Rights).
Save the date: European Mission Soil Week 2024!
Mark your calendars for the European Mission Soil Week 2024, which will take place from 12 until 14 November at the BluePoint Brussels at Blvd Auguste Reyers 80. The first two days will be packed with engaging activities, including keynote interventions, panel discussions, networking and more! On the last day, there will be an exclusive side event, featuring cluster meetings tailored for the Mission Soil funded projects. Stay tuned for further details!
The Mission Soil Manifesto
The Mission Soil Manifesto aims to foster local knowledge, innovation, and investment in soil health by raising awareness. Signatories of the Manifesto will be able to join a vibrant soil health advocacy community and have access to the latest research results, along with the opportunity to take part in knowledge sharing activities and events to exchange best practices on how to improve soil health in Europe and beyond. This non-legally binding document can be signed, for example, by representatives of municipalities, regions, private or public companies and organisations, NGOs and philanthropic organisations, educational and research institutions and by individuals as well. The Manifesto, available in all EU languages, has so far received 2 900 signatures, including 500 legal entities, publicly visible in the dedicated webpage. Recent signatories include two Spanish regional authorities: the Regional Government of Andalusia and the Provincial Council of Almería.
Sign the Manifesto and join the Mission Soil community!
Discover more about Mission Soil by clicking the “More” button below: