In this SOILL interview, Lena Madden, a representative from Ireland’s Technological University of the Shannon, provides insights into the SOILCRATES Ireland Living Lab.

This international collaboration – spanning Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, and France – focuses on improving mineral soil structure to enhance biodiversity, biochemical activity, and nutrient retention. These efforts aim to reduce the need for excessive fertilisers and improve water quality.

In Ireland specifically, the project addresses the impact of increased rainfall and nutrient runoff on pasture-based agriculture, with the goal of optimising fertiliser management and mitigating soil compaction.

by SOIIL I 3 July 2025

As part of the Circular Summit Fryslân 2025, the SOILL Startup project, in collaboration with the Province of Friesland and the SOILCRATES project, invites local and regional public authorities to a focused hybrid session on the future of soil health in Europe.

This session is designed for local and regional authorities ready to take action on soil restoration and explore the opportunities offered by the EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe.”

by SOIIL I 12 June 2025

In this SOILL interview, Emiel Elferink, technical coordinator of SOILCRATES North Netherlands Living Lab, discusses the mission, key challenges, and expectations of the Mission Soil Living Lab.

He explains that the LL is dedicated to supporting farmers in improving soil management practices, with a particular focus on soil structure, biology, and overall resilience. The mission is enhancing soil quality and biodiversity while promoting the long-term sustainability of the entire farming system.

Given the many unanswered questions in soil science, establishing a strong knowledge-sharing network is essential to effectively address the broader societal challenges linked to soil health.

by SOIIL I 2 mai 2025

SOILCRATES: SOil Innovation Labs: Co-Regenerating And Transforming European Soils” by Emiel Elferink (Van Hall Larenstein) presentation at Soil Health Now! Conference, 2025

AI 4 Soil Health event (https://ai4soilhealth.eu/)

9 April 2025, Wageningen

El ecosistema de innovación “Granada Tierra Viva” se centra en el desarrollo del territorio a través de la mejora y preservación de los suelos. Se trata de una iniciativa liderada por la Universidad de Granada y la Diputación de Granada cuyo objetivo es fomentar la mejora y preservación del suelo en la provincia y potenciar las actividades que dependen de este recurso esencial. La iniciativa está financiada por la Unión Europea a través del proyecto SOILCRATES.

by MediaLab UGR I 28 December 2024

The Flagship project Soilcrates (within Horizon Europe) was established with the support of EuropaPact Fryslân. Within Soilcrates, the three northern provinces are designated as one Living Lab for soil research. This research, with Biosintrum in Oosterwolde as the leading location, strengthens the position of the Northern Netherlands as a knowledge region for healthy agricultural soils.

by Europa Pact Fyslân I 18 December 2024