AREFLH is a partner of LivingSoiLL – “Healthy Soil to Permanent Crops Living Labs”, an Horizon Europe project funded by the European Commission.

We are pleased to share an update on the progress of the LivingSoiLL Community of Practice (CoP). Bringing together partners, practitioners, farmers, technicians, advisers, and experts, the CoP supports the testing and implementation of innovative solutions for soil health. Through knowledge exchange, collaboration, and the promotion of local initiatives, it helps develop solutions tailored to specific local conditions.

Who’s Involved?

At the end of April 2026, the CoP have brought together 271 members from across Europe and beyond.

Its core base spans the five European countries hosting the Living Labs (Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and Poland), with additional members joining from other European countries (Switzerland, Ukraine, Greece, Luxembourg, Sweden, Hungary, Ireland, Finland, Cyprus, Germany, Romania, Croatia, the Netherlands, Belgium, Turkey) and beyond (Chile, Israel, the United States, Egypt, Tanzania, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina).

This international network reflects the wide interest in soil health and sustainable land management, fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation across continents.

 

The CoP involves a wide range of stakeholders from researchers (23.7%), followed by private businesses (14%) and farmers (13.7%) to NGOs, consumers, landowners, and civil society organisations (CSOs/CBOs). This diversity demonstrates the inclusive, multi-actor approach of LivingSoiLL, fostering collaboration across sectors to support soil health and sustainable land management.

A recent survey of LivingSoiLL CoP members highlights strong interest in soil research and practical action.

Key topics include :

• soil quality indicators (70.8%),
• inherent soil properties (70.8%),
• biological properties (68.7%),
• soil health (68.7%),
• soil degradation (56.4%),
• and Living Labs (54.9%).

These results demonstrate a strong awareness of soil quality and health, highlighting the need for continued research, practical solutions, and collaborative projects across regions.

Why it Matters?

The LivingSoiLL CoP is more than just a network. It’s a space for innovation, experimentation, and knowledge exchange, where members can co-create solutions that improve soil health locally while contributing to European and global sustainability goals.

The CoP is open to new members throughout the project and beyond. If you are passionate about soil, research, and sustainable practices, the LivingSoiLL Community of Practice welcomes your participation!

Join our Community of Practice and be part of a collaborative effort to improve soil health.: click here

  

Know more about the project 

• Website : livingsoill.eu

• LinkedIn

• YouTube

• Instagram : @LivingSoiLL

• Join the  Community of Practice  by filling this  questionnaire (6 languages available) 

• You an also read all previous articles written by AREFLH on this project here

 

This project receives funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement Nr. 101157502.