In the framework of Horizon Europe, the European Union Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027), the European Commission launched the Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’, aiming to establish 100 Living Labs and Lighthouses to drive the transition to healthy soils by 2030.
To achieve this aim, the NATI00NS partners are organising a series of activities to provide access to materials and information as well as stimulating discussions on the set-up of Living Labs (LLs) to address specific soil needs in different local and regional contexts. This includes the delivery of webinars to further promote the Horizon Europe topics, by contributing to raising the awareness of stakeholders on the specific concept of regional soil health Living Labs, the funding available under the Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’ Living Lab topics as well as the application process.
Attend the Second Series of Webinars
1 - Living Labs for forest soil: Connecting the pieces
29 May 2024 10:00-11:00 CEST
Organisers: SLU, LAAs and IUNG
Presenting the views and contributions of different stakeholders in government, research, industry and citizens to the creation of a living lab for forest health soils in the Baltic region, northern Europe. With the use of case studies from Sweden, Lithuania and Poland, we explore projects in health soils from an academic, government and landowner perspective respectively. The target audience will be governmental agencies, researchers, forest industry, forest landowners, and students in the Baltic region interested in improving their understanding of living labs for healthy forest soils and the possibilities to apply for the Calls.
2 - Considerations for applicants to the Living Labs topics of the Mission Soil Work Programme 2024
18 June 2024 10:00 – 12:00 CEST
Organisers: European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL)
This webinar will provide participants with key information on the elements that should be considered in a successful proposal for the Living Labs topics under Horizon Europe Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’ call. Representatives from DG Agri and REA will provide an overview of the objectives of the EU Soil Mission, its core elements, and the specificities of the Living Labs topics. The webinar will contribute to raising the awareness of stakeholders on the specific concept of regional soil health Living Labs, the funding available under the Mission Soil Living Lab topics as well as the application process. This webinar will include a Q&A and we invite participants to share their questions in advance through the webinar registration form. *Please note that questions related to specific project applications will not be covered. If you need coaching services on your Living Lab or application ideas, we invite you to reach out to your national mentors.
3 - Improving Soil Health: A Systemic Approach for Co-Creating Living Labs in Urban and Industrial Environments
25 June 2024 10:00 – 12:00 CEST
Organizers: POLIMI & FUNDECYT-PCTEX
This webinar delves into various co-creation strategies essential for engaging stakeholders and overcoming challenges in promoting healthier soils in urban and industrial areas. It presents diverse European case studies to explore critical parameters that inform effective soil interventions and the establishment of healthy soil living labs. The discussion aims to guide adaptive Lab strategies addressing the Soil Mission’s objectives across different sites, land uses, ownership models, action scales, governance levels, and multi-stakeholder cooperation. Additionally, it highlights methods for optimizing land use for ecological functions, types of intermediation in knowledge co-production networks, and access to land for soil regeneration.
4- Forestry & (semi) natural lands focusing on the Balkans & neighbouring countries
1 July 2024 14:00 – 16:00 CEST
Organizers: BioSense, IRCEM & NIÜ
The webinar will provide information about the most important soil health challenges of the Balkans and neigbouring countries. In the seminar we will focus on the joint challenges, therefore the participants will have the opportunity to identify those soil mission objectives which can be the starting point for a joint project. The presentations will come from every participating country, ensuring the regional balance as well. One lecture will focus on the existing co-operation of Serbian and Hungarian farmers applying environmental and soil friendly practices. The webinar targets potential and future applicants, as well as local, regional, and national stakeholders interested in setting up a soil health Living Lab.
Watch the first series of webinars
- The Living Lab essentials – how to set up a Living Lab
22 June 2023 10:00 – 11:30 CEST
Organisers: European Network of Living Labs and BioSense Institute
The first webinar covered all the basic aspects of Living Labs, taking into consideration all land use types and Mission Specific objectives. In particular, speakers explained in detail how to set up a Living Lab, their criteria and essential characteristics as well as how to implement efficient and effective stakeholders’ engagement methodologies and multi-stakeholder partnerships. - Governance and Business Models for setting up a Living Lab
29 June 2023 10:00 – 11:30 CEST
Organisers: European Network of Living Labs and BioSense Institute
The second webinar focused on two main topics: Governance and Business Models. Presenters helped participants better understand what governance and business models are and why such models are important for the success of a Living Lab. In this webinar, participants learned about the different types of governance models and how to build a governance model that incorporates a variety of actors. Speakers also presented some of the most effective strategies to build a self-sustained LL, providing examples of best practices. - Core Elements and Specificities of the Living Lab topics
6 July 2023 10:00 – 11:30 CEST
Organiser: European Network of Living Labs
The last webinar provided participants with key information on the process to apply for the Living Labs topics part of the Horizon Europe Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’ call. Representatives of the European Commission provided an overview of the objectives of the EU Soil Mission, its core elements, and the specificities of the Living Labs topics. This webinar included a Q&A session. *Please note that questions related to specific project applications were not covered. If you need coaching services on your Living Lab or application ideas, we invite you to reach out to your national mentor.