EU Soil Observatory

This report highlights the main activities and outcomes of the EU Soil Observatory (EUSO) from 2024. Throughout 2024, the EUSO has taken up its role to be the principal provider of soil-related data and policy support at the EU-level. The Annual Report includes an overview of the policy support provided by the EUSO as well as the activities regarding EU-wide soil monitoring and sharing data and knowledge about EU soils. The report also includes other highlights, such as the ‘The state of soils in Europe’ report, the 47 scientific papers, and 15 datasets published by EUSO in 2024.

The EUSO is hosting its 5th Stakeholder Forum, an annual event for engaging the soil community, including policymakers, scientists, and civil society. The forum will be held in two parts: online on 12 June, and in-person on 9 September at the EUROSOIL conference. The in-person event will be hosted within EUROSOIL 2025 with focus on innovative advancements and breakthroughs within the Mission Soil projects. Mission Soil project researchers are invited to submit an abstract highlighting new results and innovations.

The 5th EUSO Stakeholder Forum will be held in two parts: online on 12 June, and in-person on 9 September. The online event on 12 June will focus on the topic “How can healthy soils increase EU competitiveness?”. During this event, case studies from the private sector will show how healthy soils can promote competitiveness in terms of the three pillars: a) closing the innovation gap; b) decarbonisation and competitiveness; and c) reducing excessive dependencies. Detailed agenda and registration link coming soon.

Soil Literacy workshop
The workshop aimed to explore how the EU Soil Strategy and the Mission Soil can really drive a revolution in soil awareness by taking soil literacy and citizen engagement to a new level. The meeting was both an opportunity to share and explore best practices from a range of diverse perspectives and targeted stakeholders, as well as reflections towards a future roadmap of possible actions.

EUROSOIL is the official meeting of the European Confederation of Soil Science Societies (ECSSS). It is among Europe’s most important Soil Sciences events and offers a fantastic opportunity for knowledge transfer among the Soil Sciences community. EUSO will host its 5th Stakeholders Forum at the EUROSOIL conference, focussing on innovative advancements and breakthroughs within the Mission Soil projects.

Join us online and learn more about the new calls in the Missions’ part of the main Work Programme 2025 under Horizon Europe for each mission:

• Adaptation to Climate Change Mission
• Cancer Mission
• 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart cities by 2030 Mission
• Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030 Mission
• A Soil Deal for Europe Mission.

The workshop focuses on addressing soil degradation issues, exploring methods for soil remediation, and discussing strategies for reclaiming degraded soils. It aims to bring together experts, researchers, and practitioners from around the world to share knowledge, present research findings, and discuss innovative solutions for soil health and sustainability.

Hosted at the Museum of Tomorrow, this international event aims to promote the importance of sustainable agricultural production for socioeconomic development and food security at both regional and global levels.

The Mission Soil project LILAS4SOILS (Living Labs in the Mediterranean and Southern EU for the Healthy Future of European Soils) has launched a call for contributions to help farmers implement carbon farming practies and improve the quality of their soil.

The EU H2020 HoliSoils project (2021-2025), led by the National Resources Institute Finland (Luke), is advancing research and developing tools for holistic forest soil management in Europe. ISRIC – World Soil Information is enhancing spatial data on European forest soils within the project.