Preparing the ground for healthy soils: building capacities for engagement, outreach and knowledge
This program, part of the Horizon Europe Mission 'A Soil Deal for Europe,' aims to enhance capacities for effective soil health mission deployment across European regions. It focuses on fostering engagement, knowledge exchange, and capacity building to advance sustainable soil management. By supporting various stakeholders and promoting the co-creation of solutions through Living Labs and Lighthouses, the initiative seeks to increase societal awareness and drive widespread adoption of soil-friendly practices.
Who is Funded for Soil Health Initiatives
The 'Preparing the Ground for Healthy Soils' program focuses on engaging diverse stakeholders across Europe to enhance soil health. It targets a broad spectrum of applicants from EU Member States and Associated Countries, including research institutions, land managers, industries, public authorities, and civil society. The program's core objective is to build capacity, facilitate knowledge exchange, and promote sustainable soil management practices.
What is Funded for Healthy Soils Initiatives
This program funds projects focused on developing capacities, enhancing knowledge, and fostering engagement around soil health. Supported activities include identifying soil needs, developing networking tools, creating model business plans for Living Labs, improving soil monitoring, and establishing comprehensive online resources for soil literacy. The program aims to support projects primarily in the applied research and implementation stages.
Type and Scope of EU Soil Funding
The program provides financial support in the form of grants, specifically Horizon Coordination and Support Actions. The total budget allocated for this topic in 2021 was 5 million EUR, aimed at fostering widespread European engagement and knowledge transfer in soil health.
Conditions and Requirements for Soil Health Programs
Applicants must adhere to specific conditions for proposal submission, consortium composition, and project implementation, as detailed in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. A crucial requirement is the multi-actor approach, ensuring genuine involvement of diverse stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. Compliance with data and earth observation regulations is also essential.
Application Procedure for Soil Health Funding
The application process for this program followed a single-stage submission procedure, requiring applicants to use standard forms available through the Electronic Submission Service. Evaluation was based on defined award criteria, with results communicated after an indicative timeline.
Legal Basis of the Soil Health Program
The 'Preparing the Ground for Healthy Soils' program is legally grounded in the Horizon Europe framework, a comprehensive EU research and innovation program. It operates under specific regulations and decisions that define its scope, funding mechanisms, and operational guidelines, ensuring compliance with broader EU financial and research policies.
Similar Programs
Funding Overview
Funding Status:
Closed
Allocated Budget:
5,000,000 €
Open Until:
31.12.2027
Award Channel:
Framework Programme Call
Region:
All EU Member States and Associated Countries, at regional and local (NUTS 2 level) within Europe.
Sectors:
Agriculture and Agribusiness, Food Processing, Water and Waste Management, Information and Communication Technology, Software Development, Green Technology, Education and Vocational Training, Research and Development, Service Sector, Environmental and Climate Protection, Social Enterprises, Creative Industries, Other
Beneficiaries:
Agriculture, forestry & fishing + Food production
Application Type:
Consortium Required
Funding Stages:
Applied Research, Pilot Testing, Implementation, Capacity Building, Awareness Campaigns, Evaluation, Policy Development, Service Delivery
Funding Provider
Program Level:
European Union
Funding Body:
European Commission
Additional Partners:
Mission Core Network, national mission hubs, EU Soil Observatory (EUSO), Horizon 2020 projects (SMS project, European Joint Partnership EJP Soil), future partnership on agroecology.
Website: