EU missions soil deal for Europe newsletter. Issue N 1, July 2023.
Date: 2023-07-30
Institutions: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development
Subjects: EU environmental policy, desertification, serial publication, soil pollution, soil protection, soil science

| ISSN: 2811-7743 | Catalogue number: KF -AT-23-001-EN-N  

Issue N 1 

July 2023 

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Mission Soil  

Welcome  to  the  first  newsletter  of  the  Mission  'A  Soil  Deal  for  Europe' 
(Mission Soil)! 

By  subscribing  to  this  newsletter,  you  will  become  part  of  a  community  of 
organisations,  institutions,  companies  and  individuals  who  share  a  common 
goal: to protect and restore soil health. 

You will be informed about the Mission Soil activities, from the latest news and 
events  to project updates, calls for proposals,  policy developments and much 
more!  

You can also read the French and German version of this Newsletter.  

What is the Mission Soil about? 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  Mission  Soil  is  an  instrument  funded  by  the  European  Union  under  the 
Research  and  Innovation  Framework  Programme  Horizon  Europe.  It  aims  to 
create  100  living  labs  (places  for  on-the-ground  experiments)  and 
lighthouses  (sites  for  showcasing  good  practices)  to  lead  the  transition 
towards  healthy  soils  by  2030.  Currently,  about  60%  of  soils  in  the  EU  are 
considered  to  be  unhealthy 
(see  Dashboard  of  the  European  Soil 
Observatory). 

The  Mission  is  also  implementing  an  ambitious  research  and  innovation 
programme, promoting harmonised soil monitoring in the  EU, and increasing 
public awareness and engagement in soil protection and restoration. Activities 
under the Mission aim at finding solutions to major soil health challenges in rural 
and urban areas and contribute to its specific objectives:  

1. Reduce desertification 
2. Conserve soil organic carbon stock 
3. Stop soil sealing and increase re-use of urban soils 
4. Reduce soil pollution and enhance restoration 
5. Prevent erosion 
6. Improve soil structure to enhance soil biodiversity 
7. Reduce the EU global footprint on soils 
8. Improve soil literacy in society  

The Mission Soil Manifesto  

On  18  April  2023,  the  European  Commission  launched  the  Mission  Soil 
Manifesto at an event co-organised with the European Regions Research and 
Innovation Network (ERRIN). 

The  Manifesto  gives  visibility  to  the  growing  community  of  stakeholders  and 
citizens that work together to protect and restore soil health. Signatories of the 
Manifesto become part of a network that enables them to share knowledge and 
best practices. The Manifesto can be signed by representatives of municipalities, 
regions,  private  or  public  companies,  organisations,  schools,  associations, 
research institutions as well as by individual citizens who can become ‘Friends of 
the  Mission  Soil’.  More  than  1 300  people  have  already  signed  the  Manifesto 
either as individuals or on behalf of entities.  

If you too care about soil health, sign the Manifesto and get involved! 

 
  
 
The First Mission Soil Projects  

Since its launch in September 2021, three Work Programmes (WPs) with calls for 
proposals have been published under the Mission. The first projects under WP 
2021 (amounting to €67 million of EU funding) are up and running. 

Projects under 2021 Work Programme listed by topics 

1. Preparing the ground for healthy soils: building capacities for 
engagement, outreach and knowledge 

Preparing for the ‘Soil Deal for Europe’ Mission (PREPSOIL) 

2. From knowledge gaps to roadmaps on soil mission objective 

Soils for Europe (SOLO) 

3. Validating and further developing indicators for soil health and 
functions 

 
 
  
 
 
 
Accelerating collection and use of soil health information using AI technology 
to support the Soil Deal for Europe and EU Soil Observatory (AI4SoilHealth) 

Building a European Network for the Characterisation and Harmonisation of 
Monitoring Approaches for Research and Knowledge on Soils 
(BENCHMARKS)  

4. Linking soil health to nutritional and safe food 

The soil biodiversity and functionality of Mediterranean olive groves: a holistic 
analysis of the influence of land management on olive oil quality and safety 
(SOIL O-LIVE) 

5. Incentives and business models for soil health 

Enhancing Soil health through Values-based business models (SoilValues) 

Innovative Business Models for Soil Health (NOVASOIL) 

Monetary valuation of soil ecosystem services and creation of initiatives to 
invest in soil health: setting a framework for the inclusion of soil health in 
business and in the policy making process (InBestSoil) 

6. Engage with and activate municipalities and regions to protect and 
restore soil health 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Healthy Municipal Soils (HuMUS) 

7. National engagement sessions and support to the establishment of soil 
health living labs 

National engagement activities to support the launch of the Mission 'A Soil 
Deal for Europe’ 100 Living Labs and Lighthouses (NATI00NS) 

8. Next generation soil advisors 

Nature Based Solutions for Soil Management (NBSOIL) 

Project Spotlight  

PREPSOIL 

In  this  edition  of  the  newsletter,  we’re  putting  the  spotlight  on  the  PREPSOIL 
project.  Its  coordinator,  Niels  Halberg  (also  Director  of  the  Danish  Centre  for 
Food and Agriculture), provides us with his insights. 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
Niels Halberg, Coordinator of PREPSOIL 

What results has PREPSOIL achieved so far? 

Engagement and co-learning activities are already ongoing through regional soil 
needs workshops held in more than 20 regions in Europe (covering agricultural, 
urban/industrial, forestry/nature and mixed land use). In the Articles and blogs 
section on our website, you can find short blog posts about some of the workshops 
and their results.  

Several tools and spaces for interaction, knowledge-sharing and co-learning are 
available  on  the  PREPSOIL  website,  such  as:  the  collection  of  soil  threats  for 
different land types across Europe, the Forum for Communities of Practice and 
Soil Advocates, the map of Living Labs and Lighthouses initiatives, as well as 
examples of best teaching practices of soil health education in Europe.  

Why is Mission Soil’s work important for Europe? 

Mission  Soil  is  important  for  Europe  because  it  focuses  on  addressing  soil 
degradation  and  promoting  sustainable  land  management  practices.  Soil 
degradation  poses  significant  challenges  to  agriculture,  food  security,  and 
ecosystem  health.  By  improving  soil  health  and  fertility,  Mission  Soil  aims  to 
maintain  and  enhance  agricultural  productivity,  preserve  biodiversity,  mitigate 
climate change, and safeguard water resources. 

What do you love most about your work on PREPSOIL? 

Having the opportunity to engage stakeholders in a mutual learning process on 
how to take actions to improve soil health in Europe, because soil is the foundation 
of our existence and future. I also love the fact that we are engaging Communities 

 
of Practice, some of which have championed soil fertility preservation for decades, 
in a joint Mission. Their preoccupation with soil health is now supported at the 
highest levels! Taking care of the soil, ensuring its health, and leaving it in a better 
condition for future generations  – these are all important objectives for me. I’m 
proud  that  PREPSOIL  serves  as  an  important  steppingstone  towards  achieving 
these objectives. 

News  

Directive on Soil Monitoring 

On 5 July 2023, the European Commission adopted its proposal for a Directive 
on  Soil  Monitoring  (Soil  Monitoring  Law) to  protect  and  restore  soils  and 
ensure that they are used sustainably.  

The Soil Monitoring Law provides a legal framework to help achieve healthy soils 
by 2050. To this end, it foresees to:  

•  create a monitoring framework for soils in the EU,   

•  promote sustainable soil management,   

•  ask EU Member States to identify potentially contaminated sites and 
address unacceptable risks to human health and the environment.   

The  Mission  ‘A  Soil  Deal  for  Europe’  is  considered  a  key  instrument  for  the 
implementation of the Soil Monitoring Law, notably through its funding for soil 
monitoring and ‘living labs’ as places to create and test solutions for soil health.  

Upcoming activities of funded projects 

PREPSOIL conducts soil needs assessments in 21 European regions 

PREPSOIL  is  organising  a  series  of  regional  soil  needs  workshops  and 
interviews  to assess  the soil needs for different land uses across 21 European 
regions, providing tools and spaces for interaction, knowledge-sharing and co-
learning. The outcome will contribute to the creation of a synthesis report (by 
2024) of soil needs and drivers of change for each land use type, and a regional 
Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (expected mid-2025). 

 
  
 
NATI00NS  supports  regional  stakeholders  in  applying  for  the  soil  health 
Living Labs topics  

NATI00NS  is  hosting  a  series  of  capacity-building  webinars,  specifically 
dedicated to explaining the concept of Living Labs. These webinars cover a range 
of  topics,  including  recommendations  for  the  establishment  of  Living  Labs, 
governance and business models, and the process of application for Living Labs 
under the Mission’s call for proposals. The deadline for submitting proposals 
is 20 September 2023.  

The next event organised by NATI00NS you can register for:  

•  6 July 2023, 10:00  – 11:30 CEST:  Core elements and specificities of 

the living lab topics   

Open calls  

New  funding  opportunities  are  open  to  contribute  to  the  Mission  Soil! 
Deadline: 20 September 2023 

Proposals can be submitted under nine different topics addressing:  the subsoil, 
to  prevent  and  combat 
tools, innovations 
soil  pollution  and  digital 
desertification,  soil-friendly  practices  in  horticulture,  spatial  planning,  cultural 
and creative initiatives for bringing communities closer to soil and establishing 
the first wave of living labs.  

•  Learn more about the nine open calls 

•  Watch the recordings of the info days for potential applicants  

Proposals can also be submitted under two joint calls with the Mission ‘Restore 
our  Ocean  and  Waters  by  2030’  and  the Mission  ‘Adaptation  to  Climate 
Change’.  

•  Joint  demonstration  of  an  integrated  approach  to  increasing 

landscape water retention capacity at regional scale  

 
  
 
•  Joint demonstration of approaches and solutions to address nutrient 
pollution in the landscape-river-sea system in the Mediterranean Sea 
Basin  

Events  

Past events 

Jump-start the Mission Soil – an event to cluster projects funded under the 
EU Mission 'A Soil Deal for Europe' (Brussels, 22-23 March, 2023) 

The  'Jump-start  the  Mission  Soil'  event,  organised  by  the  European  Research 
Executive  Agency  (REA)  brought  together  250  stakeholders,  including  project 
representatives, Mission Board members, policymakers and other national and 
European  experts.  The  successful  hybrid  event  was  a  major  opportunity  for 
participants in funded projects to network, identify synergies and get to know 
the wider policy context of the Mission Soil. While the first session addressed the 
Mission’s policy context and science−policy interfaces, the second day focused 
on  in-depth  discussions  on:  communication  and  engagement  strategies,  data 
management and their integration with the European Soil Observatory (EUSO), 
and local and regional activities with a focus on living labs.  

Agriculture Innovation Mission (AIM) for Climate Summit (Washington DC, 
8-10 May) 

The EU Mission Soil goes global! In the framework of the AIM for Climate Summit 
in Washington DC, the Mission Soil was presented to an international audience 
to  showcase  European  research  and  innovation  investments  in  soil  health. 
Mission  activities  on  carbon  farming  and  examples  of  national  initiatives  for 
sustainable management from Denmark, Ireland and the Netherlands served as 
a  basis  for  wider  discussions  on  the  role  of  soil  management  for  promoting 

 
  
 
 
climate-smart agriculture. AIM for Climate was launched by the United States 
and  the  United  Arab  Emirates  in  2021,  in  the  context  of  the  United  Nations 
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties 
(COP26) in Glasgow. This year’s summit was meant to prepare the ground for 
further  raising  ambitions  and  building  collaboration,  also  in  the  lead-up  to 
COP28 in the United Arab Emirates.  

EU AgriResearch Conference 2023 (Brussels, 31 May − 1 June 2023) 

With  500  participants  attending  in  person  and  many  more  online,  the 
AgriResearch Conference brought together scientists, farmers, researchers, rural 
communities,  industry,  consultants,  politicians,  citizens  and  representatives  of 
non-governmental organisations to reflect on how to address future challenges 
in  agricultural  and  forestry  research  and  innovation.  Commissioner  for 
Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski emphasised the need for synergies, describing 
2023 as ‘a year of challenges to make the agricultural and forestry sectors more 
resilient  and  sustainable’.  He  also  stressed  the  importance  of  giving  farmers 
access to the right knowledge and innovations, as well as providing them with 
the financial support to become more productive, sustainable and competitive. 
The concrete challenges and increased uncertainties that individual farmers are 
facing were illustrated by Rogier Schulte (professor of Farming Systems Ecology 
at Wageningen University and Research) in a keynote speech that set the scene 
for further panel discussions. 

Throughout  the  conference,  participants  acknowledged  the  importance  of 
healthy  soils and their manifold  functions as the basis for resilient agriculture 
and forestry. Soils were particularly visible at the closure of the conference, with 
Sadhguru,  leader  of  the  Save  Soil  Movement,  signing  the  Mission  Soil 

 
 
 
Manifesto  and  stating:  'It's  not  scientists  and  academics  that  will  execute  soil 
revitalisation, it's the farmers.' (Watch his video message on YouTube)  

The Manifesto was also signed by the European Commission’s Director-General 
for Agriculture and Rural Development Wolfgang Burtscher, Director-General for 
Research  and  Innovation  Marc  Lemaître  and  Director-General  of  the  Joint 
Research Centre Stephen Quest. The conference was followed by field visits to 
showcase agricultural innovations in practice, organised by the EIP-AGRI on 2 
June 2023. Read more on the conference webpage and listen to the podcast!  

Upcoming events 

European Healthy Soils − 1st edition: Soil Fertility (Muttenz, 13-15 
September 2023) 

This first edition of the European Healthy Soils Conference Series will address 
the importance of healthy soils and their fertility as a prerequisite for functioning 
society, environment, economy, and climate. If you are interested, please consult 
the agenda and register!  

Power to the Peatlands conference (Antwerp, 19-21 September 2023) 

Peatlands have become key components in national and international strategies 
on biodiversity, climate change mitigation and water retention. The conference 
will  zoom  in  on  the  science,  management  and  policy  aspects  of  peatland 
restoration  and  conservation.  The  programme  will  be  based  on  four  major 
themes: carbon and water, biodiversity conservation, restoration,  and land use 
and policy.  

Save the date! European Mission Soil Week, Leading the transition towards 
healthy soils (Madrid, 21-23 November 2023)  

From  21  to  23  November,  the  first  European  Mission  Soil  Fair,  the  EU  Soil 
Observatory Stakeholders’ Forum, and  the PREPSOIL project are joining forces 
to  hold  a  major  European  conference  under  the  auspices  of  the  Spanish 
Presidency of the Council of the EU. The event is kindly hosted by the Spanish 
National Research Council (CSIC). 

The European Mission Soil Week will bring together Mission stakeholders  and 
projects,  give  visibility  to  the  importance  of  soil  protection,  restoration  and 
monitoring,  and  discuss  actions  and  solutions  that  are  needed  to  progress 
towards more sustainable land management.  

If you want to stay tuned for more details, you can pre-register at this link. You 
will receive more information in the upcoming months. 

Resources and Readings  

Mission  Soil  Implementation  Plan,  European  Commission,  DG  RTD,  Sept. 
2021 

Soil  Policy  legacy  report,  22nd  World  Congress  of  Soil  Science,  British 
Society of Soil Science, Dec. 2022  

Soil Monitoring report, European Environment Agency, Jan. 2023  

A  new  tool  maps  the  state  of  soil  health  across  Europe,  European 
Commission, JRC, March 2023  

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Do you have any project news, events or publications you would like to see 
published in the Mission Soil newsletter? Get in touch with us!  

This newsletter is published by the European Commission's Directorate General for Agriculture 
and Rural Development. 

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ISSN: 2811-7743 | CATALOGUE NUMBER: KF-AT-23-001-EN-N