SOILSTICE project webinar
On 13 November 2026, from 09:30 to 11:30 CET, an online webinar will take place to introduce the Horizon Europe project SOILSTICE, its activities and its relevance to Local Action Groups (LAGs).
ELARD is a partner in SOILSTICE, which addresses a topic highly relevant to Local Action Groups: citizen engagement in sustainable land management through local and regional authorities.
During the webinar, the project will be presented, exploring how LAGs can engage with and benefit from its activities.
At a later stage of the project, a cascade funding scheme will also be launched where LAGs across Europe can participate.
Information about rural territories in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, UK and Albania that are already involved in the project is available here.
Webinar agenda
09:30–09:40 | Welcome and introduction
Introduction of participants and framing of the webinar
Kristiina Tammets, ELARD
09:40–10:00 | The EU Soil Mission in the current and future EU programming context
European Commission project officer (TBC)
10:00–10:20 | Introduction to the SOILSTICE project
Project objectives, expected outcomes and main activities
Abdul Otman, ECOLISE
10:20–10:30 | Q&A
10:30–10:50 | Capacity building for local actors within the SOILSTICE project
Capacity-building activities and the role of Local Action Groups
Sally Bogale, Gaia Education
10:50–11:10 | Communication and dissemination at national and local levels
The role of LEADER networks and Local Action Groups
Mariam Younes, REVOLVE
11:10–11:30 | Q&A and closing discussion
Kristiina Tammets, ELARD
Discussion and brainstorming on:
- The relevance of soil-related topics for LEADER networks and LAGs;
- How LAGs could contribute to soil-related actions at local level;
- How soil-related priorities could be integrated into Local Development Strategies (LDS) for the next programming period.
About SOILSTICE
The project aims to strengthen participatory soil governance through Territorial Management Agreements (TMAs) and will:
- Co-create and implement 40 TMAs 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 for healthy soils.
SOILSTICE contributes directly to the EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe”, one of the five EU Missions under Horizon Europe. Its main goal is to establish 100 Living Labs and Lighthouses by 2030 to accelerate the transition towards healthy soils in both rural and urban areas.
Registration
Date: 13 November 2026
Time: 09:30–11:30 CET
Format: Online webinar
More information: SOILSTICE project website
