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Strategic Analysis
This call targets the critical need to enhance environmental resilience by deepening the understanding and improving the management of the soil-water nexus, especially in the context of extreme events. A winning proposal will integrate cutting-edge research on soil properties, biodiversity, and remote sensing to develop and validate new indicators and watershed-level models. Crucially, it must demonstrate practical application through the assessment and validation of existing best practices in diverse pedoclimatic and land-use contexts, ensuring robust stakeholder engagement and full adherence to FAIR data principles and open science.
TRL 2 → 6
Based on programme defaults
Develop and validate one or more indicators for the soil water holding capacity descriptor included in the proposed Soil Monitoring Law, considering the different pedoclimatic areas and land uses in the EU and Associated Countries.
Identify the soil properties and associated indicators (e.g., structure, bulk density, porosity, depth, organic matter, buffering etc.) and factors (e.g., slope, frost, cover, drainage network, etc.) that determine soil-water dynamics and are relevant for the probability and virulence of extreme events. The use of remote sensing techniques is encouraged for soil factors identification.
Assess the role of soil biodiversity for the previously identified water-relevant soil properties and the impact of the different soil factors on soil biodiversity, considering different pedoclimatic areas and land uses in the EU and Associated Countries. Where relevant, involve soil biodiversity taxonomists to validate methods and expand knowledge.
Develop and validate new models (or substantially improve existing ones) at watershed/landscape level that mainstream and integrate the functional role of soil biodiversity in soil-water interactions and specially in risk assessment of extreme events.
Assess and validate strategies and best practices proposed in the context of other relevant EU-funded projects and initiatives (e.g. Living Labs funded under the EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe” [4] or the Horizon Europe projects SpongeBoost and SpongeScapes ) to increase environmental resilience by improving the soil-water nexus through restoration, conservation and management of soil and its biodiversity, considering the different pedoclimatic areas and land uses in the EU and Associated Countries.
The proposed activities should duly consider the different pedoclimatic areas and land uses (agricultural, natural, and urban) across the EU and Associated Countries, with enough experiment design robustness to guarantee the meaningfulness of results.
In the specific case of agricultural lands, due attention should be given to the impact of the differences between conventional, agroecological and organic production.
Proposals should include dedicated tasks and appropriate resources for coordination measures and joint activities with other relevant EU-funded initiatives, specially under the Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’, in particular for the validation of innovative approaches for increasing environmental resilience, and for engagement with the relevant cluster activities.
Proposals should demonstrate a route towards open access, longevity, sustainability and interoperability of knowledge and outputs through close collaboration with the EU Soil Observatory (EUSO) and SoilWise.
Concrete efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced in the context of the funded project is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable), particularly in the context of real-time data feeds, exploring workflows that can provide “FAIR-by-design” data, i.e., data that is FAIR from its generation.
When dealing with models, actions should promote the highest standards of transparency and openness, as much as possible going well beyond documentation and extending to aspects such as assumptions, protocols, code and data, that is managed in compliance with the previously mentioned FAIR principles.
Proposals are encouraged to consider, where relevant, the data, expertise and services offered by European research infrastructures in the environment, biological & food domains or imaging capacities [5].
Enhance stakeholders’ (including decision-makers’ and land managers’) understanding of the importance that soil-water interactions play in mitigating risks associated with extreme events such as droughts, wildfires and floods and their virulence.
Raise stakeholders’ awareness of the relevance of soil biodiversity [1] to soil characteristics (e.g. water retention capacity, permeability, saturation, etc.) which are relevant for the soil-water nexus.
Substantially contribute to increasing environmental resilience to extreme events like floods, droughts, or wildfires, as well as to other undesired soil health processes, through restoration, conservation and integrated management of the soil-water nexus.
Soil health-improving innovative governance, policies, practices, and incentives that integrate the main environmental, social, economic, regulatory, and cultural factors influencing soil management and soil degradation are in place, particularly at regional and local levels.
Improved and coherent soil health monitoring is adopted by land managers, including farmers and foresters, researchers, and Member States, within and beyond the EU using cost-efficient techniques that harness the potential of remote sensing and digital technologies.
Researchers, land managers, policymakers, and citizens are aware of soil health issues in the EU and AC, and beyond, and engaged in the design of solutions to protect and restore soil heath.
Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’
highMission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’ is one of the five EU Missions under Horizon Europe, aiming to establish 100 living labs and lighthouses to lead the transition to healthy soils by 2030. It focuses on protecting, restoring, and sustainably managing soils across various land uses, recognizing their vital role in ecosystem services, food security, and climate action.
Proposals should clearly demonstrate how they contribute to the mission's objectives, particularly in developing and testing solutions for soil health, fostering sustainable soil management practices, and engaging stakeholders. Given the topic's focus on the soil-water nexus, contributions to improving soil health and resilience are paramount, potentially through living labs or lighthouse initiatives.
EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030
highAs a key pillar of the European Green Deal, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 aims to put Europe's biodiversity on a path to recovery by 2030. It sets ambitious targets for expanding protected areas, restoring degraded ecosystems, reducing pesticide use, and tackling other drivers of biodiversity loss.
Proposals should demonstrate how they contribute to halting and reversing biodiversity loss, restoring ecosystems, and enhancing ecological resilience, especially in the context of forest ecosystems and soil health. Specific attention to how living labs can support biodiversity monitoring and restoration in forests and natural lands is crucial.
Nature Restoration Law
highThe Nature Restoration Law is a proposed EU regulation aiming to put in place legally binding targets for nature restoration across various ecosystems, including agricultural lands, forests, and marine areas. It seeks to reverse biodiversity loss, enhance ecosystem resilience, and help the EU achieve its climate mitigation and adaptation goals by restoring degraded habitats and species.
Proposals should demonstrate how their activities contribute to the restoration targets set by the law, particularly concerning soil and water ecosystems. This includes measures for improving ecological integrity, hydrological functions, and overall ecosystem health, directly addressing the degradation of natural areas and the soil-water nexus.
EU Soil Strategy for 2030
highThe EU Soil Strategy for 2030 aims to ensure that by 2050, all soil ecosystems in the EU are healthy and resilient, with concrete actions to be taken by 2030. It focuses on protecting soil biodiversity, reducing erosion, preventing desertification, and restoring degraded soils, recognizing soil as a vital, non-renewable resource.
Proposals must directly address how their activities contribute to achieving healthy soils, including monitoring, protection, and restoration measures, particularly in forest environments. The concept of 'living labs to enhance soil health' is a direct application of this strategy's objectives.
proposed Soil Monitoring and Resilience Directive
highThis proposed directive aims to establish a robust soil monitoring framework across the EU and improve soil health. It seeks to gather comprehensive data on soil health indicators, identify degraded soils, and implement measures for their restoration and sustainable management, thereby enhancing soil resilience across the Union.
Proposals should align with the objectives of this proposed directive by demonstrating how they contribute to improved soil monitoring, data collection on soil health indicators, and the development of tools or methods for assessing and enhancing soil resilience, especially in the context of the soil-water nexus. This includes developing harmonized approaches for soil data collection and analysis.
EU Water Framework Directive
highThe EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) is a cornerstone of EU water policy, aiming to achieve good ecological and chemical status for all EU waters by 2027. It requires Member States to manage their water bodies based on river basin districts, developing river basin management plans to protect and restore water quality and quantity.
Proposals should demonstrate how their activities contribute to the objectives of the WFD, particularly in improving water quality, quantity, and ecological status, especially in relation to soil management practices. This includes addressing issues like nutrient runoff, erosion, and water retention in the context of the soil-water nexus, ensuring integrated water resource management.
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
highThe United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is a legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management. It addresses desertification, land degradation, and drought (DLDD), particularly in drylands, aiming to restore degraded land and improve the living conditions of affected populations.
Proposals should demonstrate how their work contributes to combating desertification and land degradation, especially in regions susceptible to these issues within the EU. This includes developing solutions for sustainable land management, soil moisture retention, and drought resilience, directly linking to the soil-water nexus and climate change adaptation.
Common Agricultural Policy
highThe Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is one of the EU's longest-standing policies, designed to support farmers and ensure Europe's food security. It has evolved significantly, with the current iteration (2023-2027) placing a stronger emphasis on environmental protection, climate action, and sustainable farming practices through eco-schemes and conditionality.
Proposals should demonstrate how their activities, even if focused on forests, align with the broader objectives of sustainable land management, rural development, and environmental protection that are integral to the CAP. This could include considering interactions between forest and agricultural lands, or how forest management practices can contribute to wider landscape-level sustainability goals supported by CAP.
EU Action Plan on the Development of Organic Production
mediumThe EU Action Plan on the Development of Organic Production aims to boost organic production and consumption in the EU, with targets to reach 25% of agricultural land under organic farming by 2030. It focuses on stimulating demand, ensuring consumer trust, and improving the sustainability and environmental benefits of the organic sector.
Proposals could demonstrate how their research or innovations support the expansion and sustainability of organic production, particularly in how organic farming practices contribute to soil health, water quality, and overall environmental resilience. This could involve exploring the benefits of organic systems for the soil-water nexus.
Sustainable Development Goals
mediumThe Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a 'blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.' Adopted by the United Nations in 2015, they address global challenges including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice.
Proposals should identify which specific SDGs their work contributes to (e.g., SDG 15: Life on Land, SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation) and explain the nature of this contribution. While not an EU-specific policy, alignment with SDGs demonstrates a broader commitment to global sustainability.
United Nations Convention on Biodiversity
mediumThe United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) is an international treaty with three main goals: the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources. It provides a global framework for national strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
Proposals should show how they contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, particularly in the context of soil biodiversity and its role in ecosystem services related to the soil-water nexus. This includes understanding and protecting the diverse life forms within soil that contribute to its health and resilience.
Long-term Vision for the EU’s rural areas
mediumThe Long-term Vision for the EU’s rural areas outlines a strategy for stronger, connected, resilient, and prosperous rural areas by 2040. It focuses on addressing challenges like depopulation, lack of connectivity, and climate change impacts, promoting innovation and sustainability in rural communities through a holistic approach.
Proposals should consider how their solutions for soil and water management contribute to the overall resilience and sustainability of rural areas. This could involve demonstrating benefits for rural communities, economic viability, and the integration of environmental solutions into broader rural development strategies, fostering a sustainable future for these areas.
1. Admissibility conditions — Proposal page limit and layout described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
2. Eligible Countries — described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide .
3. Other Eligibility Conditions — described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion — described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds — are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes — are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual .
5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement — described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants — Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025). [[This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-decision_he_en.pdf ]]. described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
described in the [specific topic of the Work Programme]
Application form templates — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System Standard application form (HE RIA, IA) Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA) Guidance HE Programme Guide Model Grant Agreements (MGA) Lump Sum MGA Call-specific instructions Detailed budget table (HE LS) Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?"
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 1. General Introduction HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 12. Missions HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 14. General Annexes HE Programme Guide HE Framework Programme 2021/695 HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764 EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509 Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement
Evaluators will prioritize proposals that demonstrate a robust, multi-actor approach, clearly linking fundamental research to practical application and policy relevance. Strong emphasis will be placed on the scientific quality of indicator and model development, the explicit integration of soil biodiversity's functional role, and the validation of strategies across diverse EU landscapes. Crucial elements include effective stakeholder engagement (land managers, decision-makers), active coordination with other EU initiatives (especially Mission Soil Living Labs), and a clear commitment to FAIR data principles, open access, and transparency in modelling.
Everything the call asks for, seen from the call's point of view. Each line shows what answers it, and which partner carries it.
This matrix lists everything the call asks for: outcomes, impacts, scope, the requirements buried in the call text, and policy alignment. Sign up free and GrantForge tracks each line against the concept you build.
| Requirement | Covered by | Carried | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope activities | |||
| SC1Develop and validate one or more indicators for the soil water holding capacity descriptor included in the proposed Soil Monitoring Law, considering the different pedoclimatic areas and land uses in the EU and Associated Countries. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Identify the soil properties and associated indicators (e.g., structure, bulk density, porosity, depth, organic matter, buffering etc.) and factors (e.g., slope, frost, cover, drainage network, etc.) that determine soil-water dynamics and are relevant for the probability and virulence of extreme events. The use of remote sensing techniques is encouraged for soil factors identification. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3Assess the role of soil biodiversity for the previously identified water-relevant soil properties and the impact of the different soil factors on soil biodiversity, considering different pedoclimatic areas and land uses in the EU and Associated Countries. Where relevant, involve soil biodiversity taxonomists to validate methods and expand knowledge. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4Develop and validate new models (or substantially improve existing ones) at watershed/landscape level that mainstream and integrate the functional role of soil biodiversity in soil-water interactions and specially in risk assessment of extreme events. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC5Assess and validate strategies and best practices proposed in the context of other relevant EU-funded projects and initiatives (e.g. Living Labs funded under the EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe” [4] or the Horizon Europe projects SpongeBoost and SpongeScapes ) to increase environmental resilience by improving the soil-water nexus through restoration, conservation and management of soil and its biodiversity, considering the different pedoclimatic areas and land uses in the EU and Associated Countries. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC6The proposed activities should duly consider the different pedoclimatic areas and land uses (agricultural, natural, and urban) across the EU and Associated Countries, with enough experiment design robustness to guarantee the meaningfulness of results. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC7In the specific case of agricultural lands, due attention should be given to the impact of the differences between conventional, agroecological and organic production. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC8Proposals should include dedicated tasks and appropriate resources for coordination measures and joint activities with other relevant EU-funded initiatives, specially under the Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’, in particular for the validation of innovative approaches for increasing environmental resilience, and for engagement with the relevant cluster activities. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC9Proposals should demonstrate a route towards open access, longevity, sustainability and interoperability of knowledge and outputs through close collaboration with the EU Soil Observatory (EUSO) and SoilWise. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC10Concrete efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced in the context of the funded project is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable), particularly in the context of real-time data feeds, exploring workflows that can provide “FAIR-by-design” data, i.e., data that is FAIR from its generation. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC11When dealing with models, actions should promote the highest standards of transparency and openness, as much as possible going well beyond documentation and extending to aspects such as assumptions, protocols, code and data, that is managed in compliance with the previously mentioned FAIR principles. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC12Proposals are encouraged to consider, where relevant, the data, expertise and services offered by European research infrastructures in the environment, biological & food domains or imaging capacities [5]. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1Enhance stakeholders’ (including decision-makers’ and land managers’) understanding of the importance that soil-water interactions play in mitigating risks associated with extreme events such as droughts, wildfires and floods and their virulence. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2Raise stakeholders’ awareness of the relevance of soil biodiversity [1] to soil characteristics (e.g. water retention capacity, permeability, saturation, etc.) which are relevant for the soil-water nexus. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3Substantially contribute to increasing environmental resilience to extreme events like floods, droughts, or wildfires, as well as to other undesired soil health processes, through restoration, conservation and integrated management of the soil-water nexus. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| No other requirements in this call. | |||
| Expected impacts | |||
| EI1Soil health-improving innovative governance, policies, practices, and incentives that integrate the main environmental, social, economic, regulatory, and cultural factors influencing soil management and soil degradation are in place, particularly at regional and local levels. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI2Improved and coherent soil health monitoring is adopted by land managers, including farmers and foresters, researchers, and Member States, within and beyond the EU using cost-efficient techniques that harness the potential of remote sensing and digital technologies. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI3Researchers, land managers, policymakers, and citizens are aware of soil health issues in the EU and AC, and beyond, and engaged in the design of solutions to protect and restore soil heath. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1mission a soil deal for europeMission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’ is one of the five EU Missions under Horizon Europe, aiming to establish 100 living labs and lighthouses to lead the transition to healthy soils by 2030. It focuses on protecting, restoring, and sustainably managing soils across various land uses, recognizing their vital role in ecosystem services, food security, and climate action. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL2eu biodiversity strategy for 2030As a key pillar of the European Green Deal, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 aims to put Europe's biodiversity on a path to recovery by 2030. It sets ambitious targets for expanding protected areas, restoring degraded ecosystems, reducing pesticide use, and tackling other drivers of biodiversity loss. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL3nature restoration lawThe Nature Restoration Law is a proposed EU regulation aiming to put in place legally binding targets for nature restoration across various ecosystems, including agricultural lands, forests, and marine areas. It seeks to reverse biodiversity loss, enhance ecosystem resilience, and help the EU achieve its climate mitigation and adaptation goals by restoring degraded habitats and species. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL4eu soil strategy for 2030The EU Soil Strategy for 2030 aims to ensure that by 2050, all soil ecosystems in the EU are healthy and resilient, with concrete actions to be taken by 2030. It focuses on protecting soil biodiversity, reducing erosion, preventing desertification, and restoring degraded soils, recognizing soil as a vital, non-renewable resource. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL5proposed soil monitoring and resilience directiveThis proposed directive aims to establish a robust soil monitoring framework across the EU and improve soil health. It seeks to gather comprehensive data on soil health indicators, identify degraded soils, and implement measures for their restoration and sustainable management, thereby enhancing soil resilience across the Union. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL6eu water framework directiveThe EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) is a cornerstone of EU water policy, aiming to achieve good ecological and chemical status for all EU waters by 2027. It requires Member States to manage their water bodies based on river basin districts, developing river basin management plans to protect and restore water quality and quantity. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL7united nations convention to combat desertificationThe United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is a legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management. It addresses desertification, land degradation, and drought (DLDD), particularly in drylands, aiming to restore degraded land and improve the living conditions of affected populations. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL8common agricultural policyThe Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is one of the EU's longest-standing policies, designed to support farmers and ensure Europe's food security. It has evolved significantly, with the current iteration (2023-2027) placing a stronger emphasis on environmental protection, climate action, and sustainable farming practices through eco-schemes and conditionality. | · | · | Sign up to track |
The binding rules of this call. Items marked auto are verified by GrantForge from the call and the template. The others are yours to confirm.
LMIC entities auto-eligible
Low/middle-income country entities are automatically eligible for funding.
EU space data infrastructures
If the project uses satellite-based Earth observation, positioning, navigation or timing data/services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. Other sources may be added but not substitute EU infrastructures.
Civil applications only
Horizon Europe funds exclusively civil applications. Research with exclusive military or dual-use application is excluded.
Gender Equality Plan
Having a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) is an eligibility criterion for public bodies, research organisations, and higher education institutions from Member States and Associated Countries.
Open Science
Mandatory open access to peer-reviewed scientific publications and responsible management of research data (FAIR principles, DMP required).
Talk to the Grant Coach to build your concept. The steps below fill in as it takes shape, and your coverage tracks the progress. You can refine everything once your project workspace is created.
Step 1 of 2 · Build your concept
The problems this call frames, and who they affect. Your concept and plan address them.
Current monitoring frameworks lack harmonized and validated indicators for soil water holding capacity, hindering effective assessment and policy implementation under initiatives like the proposed Soil Monitoring Law.
The intricate relationships between soil properties, soil biodiversity, and water dynamics, especially concerning their role in mitigating extreme events, are not fully understood or adequately integrated into current management and modelling approaches.
Existing watershed/landscape-level models often fail to fully mainstream the functional role of soil biodiversity in soil-water interactions, leading to suboptimal risk assessments for droughts, floods, and wildfires.
Despite ongoing research, there is a need to assess and validate practical strategies and best practices from various EU initiatives to ensure their effectiveness in increasing environmental resilience across diverse pedoclimatic and land-use conditions.
Lack of open access, longevity, sustainability, and interoperability of data and knowledge generated from research hinders broader uptake, policy development, and further scientific advancements in soil-water management.
These stakeholders are directly responsible for implementing soil management practices. The project's findings on indicators, models, and validated best practices will directly inform their decisions to improve soil health and resilience against extreme events.
Policy and regulatory bodies at various levels will benefit from enhanced understanding of soil-water interactions and validated indicators, enabling them to develop and implement more effective soil and water management policies, including the proposed Soil Monitoring Law.
The project's open access data, models, and methodologies will significantly advance the scientific understanding of the soil-water nexus, soil biodiversity, and environmental resilience, fostering further research and innovation.
These key EU initiatives are explicitly mentioned as collaborators for ensuring data interoperability, longevity, and dissemination, directly benefiting from the project's outputs and contributing to their platforms.
Active coordination and validation with these projects will create synergies, leverage existing knowledge, and ensure broader applicability and impact of the developed strategies and best practices.
Increased environmental resilience, better management of extreme events (droughts, floods, wildfires), and improved soil health ultimately benefit the wider public through enhanced ecosystem services and a more sustainable environment.
Step 2 of 2 · Build your concept
The long-term impacts your project should drive — this shapes the objectives next.
The project's validated strategies and best practices will lead to a wider uptake of sustainable soil management techniques by land managers, contributing to healthier soils and enhanced ecosystem services.
The developed indicators and improved understanding of the soil-water nexus will directly inform and strengthen governance and policy-making at regional and local levels, leading to more integrated and effective soil and water management strategies.
The project will deliver validated indicators and methodologies, including remote sensing techniques, enabling land managers, researchers, and Member States to implement improved and coherent soil health monitoring systems across the EU and beyond.
Through targeted dissemination and engagement activities, the project will raise awareness among researchers, land managers, policymakers, and citizens about critical soil health issues and foster their active participation in designing and implementing solutions.
By improving the understanding and management of the soil-water nexus, the project will substantially contribute to increasing the resilience of ecosystems and communities to extreme events such as floods, droughts, and wildfires.