ELARD contributes to the EU Soil Mission through the new SOILSTICE project
Healthy soils underpin food security, biodiversity, climate resilience and community wellbeing. Protecting and restoring soil is therefore essential to Europe’s long-term resilience.
On 15–17 September, ELARD participated in the kick-off meeting of the new Horizon Europe project SOILSTICE – Strengthening Our Institutions and Localities for Soil Transformation, Inclusion, and Civic Engagement, held at the Écomusée d’Alsace in France.
Running from September 2026 to October 2029, SOILSTICE brings together partners working to strengthen citizen participation and cooperation between communities, stakeholders and public authorities in sustainable land management.
Local participation at the heart of soil governance
SOILSTICE addresses a topic highly relevant also to LAGs: how citizens and local stakeholders can be actively involved in decisions concerning land and soil management.
At the heart of the project are Territorial Management Agreements (TMAs). These will bring citizens, stakeholders and local and regional authorities together to co-design soil-friendly land management solutions.
SOILSTICE aims to:
- co-create and implement 40 Territorial Management Agreements in 11 countries;
- engage at least 10,000 citizens;
- train more than 200 facilitators and local authority representatives;
- mobilise more than €100 million through CAP, LEADER and other funding sources;
- create a long-term governance framework supporting healthy soils.
The project will also build the capacity of local and regional authorities through tailored training, peer learning and practical tools. Knowledge and experience developed through the project will be shared through a TMA Studio and Community of Practice, helping successful approaches to be replicated in other European regions.
Contributing to the EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe”
SOILSTICE contributes directly to the EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe”, one of the five EU Missions under Horizon Europe.
The Mission aims to accelerate the transition towards healthy soils in both rural and urban areas, including through the establishment of 100 Living Labs and Lighthouses by 2030. With more than 60% of soils in the EU currently considered unhealthy, soil restoration has become an important European priority.
The EU Mission Soil targets 75% healthy soils by 2030, bringing together research, innovation, local action and citizen engagement.
Through SOILSTICE, ELARD will help connect this work with rural communities and the wider LEADER network, bringing the perspective and experience of local actors into the project.
🔗 More information
SOILSTICE website: SOILSTICE website
SOILSTICE partners: SOILSTICE partners
EU Mission Soil – A Soil Deal for Europe: EU Mission Soil – A Soil Deal for Europe
Mission SOIL Manifesto: Mission SOIL Manifesto
Mission SOIL Platform: Mission SOIL Platform
Funded by the European Union (Grant Agreement No. 101297028). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.