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Strategic Analysis
This call seeks to establish 4-5 multi-actor Living Labs focused on enhancing soil health in either managed forests or natural/semi-natural lands. A winning proposal will demonstrate a strong, interdisciplinary co-creation approach for locally adapted solutions, robust scientific monitoring using established indicators, and a clear strategy for scalability, lighthouse conversion, and long-term financial sustainability beyond the project.
support the establishment of four to five living labs to work together on shared soil health challenge(s) affecting either managed forests or natural/semi-natural types [8] . Proposals must clearly indicate which of one of these two land types they focus on. Living labs under each proposal should work on common soil health challenge(s) relevant to the selected land type. The living labs must be located in at least three different Member States and/or Associated Countries. Proposals should explain the rationale and mechanism for cooperation within and across the living labs and how the work undertaken will contribute to one or more of the Mission’s specific objectives 15 ;
establish an interdisciplinary, participatory and multi-actor approach in the living labs to co-design, co-develop, and co-implement locally adapted solutions (practices, tools, strategies, etc.) for the common soil health challenge(s) on managed forests or natural/semi-natural soils, taking into account relevant soil health drivers and pressures [9] . Proposed solutions should be adapted to the different environmental, socio-economic and cultural contexts in which the living labs are operating;
establish for each living lab a baseline of the soil conditions to allow for an accurate co-assessment of the changes in the different sites over time. Monitor improvements on soil health and related ecosystem services. The set of soil health indicators/descriptors presented in the proposal for a Directive on Soil Monitoring and Resilience should be used as a basis. Proposals may complement with additional indicators tailored to the addressed soil health challenge(s), pedoclimatic conditions, and other local/regional factors within the chosen land use;
assess and demonstrate their technical, social, economic, cultural and environmental viability of the proposed solutions, as well as their potential scalability and transferability to diverse contexts;
identify high performing sites that may be converted into lighthouses, either at proposal stage or later, during the project implementation. Engage with SOILL [10] project to assess the growth and development of these lighthouses and to support the establishment of a labelling process that could formally recognize these exemplary sites as lighthouses;
propose strategies (e.g., financial, organisational) to ensure the long-term sustainability of the established living labs beyond the Horizon Europe funding. Strategies should include the identification of possible business models and actions involving a mix of public or private funding schemes, financial instruments, cooperation with local authorities, engagement of social economy entities, social enterprises, business communities, SMEs, as well as attracting investors and entrepreneurs.
enhanced capacities for participatory, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary R&I to co-create, and co-implement economically viable soil health solutions tailored to managed forests or natural/semi-natural lands;
improved soil health monitoring and increased availability of high quality, standardized soil data at local and regional levels;
increased availability of practice-oriented knowledge for land managers and land users, leading to better adoption of effective soil health solutions in diverse contexts;
policymakers are more informed about local needs regarding soil health, including its drivers, and can use this knowledge to design and implement more effective policies that enhance soil health, while considering the economic sustainability of solutions.
Activities under this topic respond directly to the goal of the Mission Soil to set up 100 living labs and lighthouses to lead the transition to healthy soils by 2030 and support the specific objectives of the Mission Soil.
Activities should also contribute to the Common Agricultural Policy, and to meeting the European Green Deal ambitions and targets and more specifically those of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the EU soil strategy for 2030 and the proposal for a Soil Monitoring and Resilience Directive, the Zero Pollution Action Plan, the EU Forest Strategy, as well as to the Sustainable Development Goals [1].
European Green Deal
highThe European Green Deal is the EU's overarching growth strategy, aiming to transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient, and competitive economy. Its primary goal is to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050, while also protecting biodiversity, reducing pollution, and promoting a circular economy.
Proposals must clearly articulate how they contribute to the overarching goals of the European Green Deal, particularly in areas like biodiversity protection, pollution reduction, sustainable resource management, and climate action. Given the topic, strong links to nature restoration, sustainable land use, and climate resilience are expected.
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.
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.
Proposal for a Soil Monitoring and Resilience Directive
highThis legislative proposal aims to establish a robust and consistent soil monitoring framework across the EU, define healthy soil, and introduce measures for sustainable soil management and restoration. It seeks to provide a legal basis for soil health, ensuring that Member States monitor and assess soil health and take necessary actions.
Proposals should show awareness of this upcoming legislative framework and demonstrate how their work, particularly in monitoring and assessing soil health, can contribute to or align with its objectives and potential future requirements. Living labs are ideal settings for developing and testing monitoring methodologies relevant to this directive.
EU Forest Strategy
highThe new EU Forest Strategy for 2030, part of the European Green Deal, aims to improve the quantity and quality of EU forests, strengthen their protection and restoration, and promote sustainable forest management. It recognizes the multi-functional role of forests for biodiversity, climate, and socio-economic benefits.
Proposals must clearly demonstrate how they align with the objectives of the EU Forest Strategy, particularly regarding sustainable forest management, biodiversity protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and the restoration of forest ecosystems. The focus on 'managed forests' and 'natural/semi-natural lands' makes this strategy highly relevant.
Common Agricultural Policy
mediumThe 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.
Zero Pollution Action Plan
mediumThe Zero Pollution Action Plan is a key deliverable of the European Green Deal, aiming to reduce air, water, and soil pollution to levels no longer harmful to human health and natural ecosystems by 2050. It sets targets for 2030 to cut pollution from various sources, promoting a toxic-free environment.
Proposals should demonstrate how they contribute to reducing pollution in soil and water, preventing contamination, and promoting cleaner practices in forest management. This includes addressing issues like nutrient runoff, pesticide residues, and other contaminants that can impact soil health.
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.
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 — Proposals must apply the multi-actor approach. See definition of the multi-actor approach in the introduction to this work programme part. 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 — Proposals must focus on one of the two designated land types: forests (managed forests) or natural/semi-natural, i.e., all living labs of each proposal must be located in one of these two land types. Proposals must clearly indicate which land type they focus on. To ensure a balanced portfolio covering different land types, grants will be awarded to applications not only in order of ranking but at least also to those that are the highest ranked within forests (managed forests) or natural/semi-natural land type, provided that the applications attain all thresholds.[[According to the CORINE land cover classification (CLC) at Home :: Corine Land Cover classes ]] are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes — The overall threshold for the second stage evaluation will be 12, with a minimum threshold of 4 for the ‘Excellence’ criterion. 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 — Beneficiaries may provide financial support to third parties to facilitate active involvement of smaller actors (e.g. land managers and owners such as farmers, SMEs or civil societies) in one or more of the living labs of the project. The support to third parties can only be provided in the form of grants (further to calls or, if duly justified, without a call for proposals). The maximum amount to be granted to each third party is EUR 60 000. 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) HE MGA Call-specific instructions Information on financial support to third parties (HE)
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 12. Missions HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. 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:
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| Requirement | Covered by | Carried | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope activities | |||
| SC1support the establishment of four to five living labs to work together on shared soil health challenge(s) affecting either managed forests or natural/semi-natural types [8] . Proposals must clearly indicate which of one of these two land types they focus on. Living labs under each proposal should work on common soil health challenge(s) relevant to the selected land type. The living labs must be located in at least three different Member States and/or Associated Countries. Proposals should explain the rationale and mechanism for cooperation within and across the living labs and how the work undertaken will contribute to one or more of the Mission’s specific objectives 15 ; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2establish an interdisciplinary, participatory and multi-actor approach in the living labs to co-design, co-develop, and co-implement locally adapted solutions (practices, tools, strategies, etc.) for the common soil health challenge(s) on managed forests or natural/semi-natural soils, taking into account relevant soil health drivers and pressures [9] . Proposed solutions should be adapted to the different environmental, socio-economic and cultural contexts in which the living labs are operating; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3establish for each living lab a baseline of the soil conditions to allow for an accurate co-assessment of the changes in the different sites over time. Monitor improvements on soil health and related ecosystem services. The set of soil health indicators/descriptors presented in the proposal for a Directive on Soil Monitoring and Resilience should be used as a basis. Proposals may complement with additional indicators tailored to the addressed soil health challenge(s), pedoclimatic conditions, and other local/regional factors within the chosen land use; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4assess and demonstrate their technical, social, economic, cultural and environmental viability of the proposed solutions, as well as their potential scalability and transferability to diverse contexts; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC5identify high performing sites that may be converted into lighthouses, either at proposal stage or later, during the project implementation. Engage with SOILL [10] project to assess the growth and development of these lighthouses and to support the establishment of a labelling process that could formally recognize these exemplary sites as lighthouses; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC6propose strategies (e.g., financial, organisational) to ensure the long-term sustainability of the established living labs beyond the Horizon Europe funding. Strategies should include the identification of possible business models and actions involving a mix of public or private funding schemes, financial instruments, cooperation with local authorities, engagement of social economy entities, social enterprises, business communities, SMEs, as well as attracting investors and entrepreneurs. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1enhanced capacities for participatory, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary R&I to co-create, and co-implement economically viable soil health solutions tailored to managed forests or natural/semi-natural lands; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2improved soil health monitoring and increased availability of high quality, standardized soil data at local and regional levels; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3increased availability of practice-oriented knowledge for land managers and land users, leading to better adoption of effective soil health solutions in diverse contexts; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO4policymakers are more informed about local needs regarding soil health, including its drivers, and can use this knowledge to design and implement more effective policies that enhance soil health, while considering the economic sustainability of solutions. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| No other requirements in this call. | |||
| Expected impacts | |||
| EI1Activities under this topic respond directly to the goal of the Mission Soil to set up 100 living labs and lighthouses to lead the transition to healthy soils by 2030 and support the specific objectives of the Mission Soil. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI2Activities should also contribute to the Common Agricultural Policy, and to meeting the European Green Deal ambitions and targets and more specifically those of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the EU soil strategy for 2030 and the proposal for a Soil Monitoring and Resilience Directive, the Zero Pollution Action Plan, the EU Forest Strategy, as well as to the Sustainable Development Goals [1]. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1european green dealThe European Green Deal is the EU's overarching growth strategy, aiming to transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient, and competitive economy. Its primary goal is to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050, while also protecting biodiversity, reducing pollution, and promoting a circular economy. | · | · | 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 |
| POL3eu 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 |
| POL4proposal for a soil monitoring and resilience directiveThis legislative proposal aims to establish a robust and consistent soil monitoring framework across the EU, define healthy soil, and introduce measures for sustainable soil management and restoration. It seeks to provide a legal basis for soil health, ensuring that Member States monitor and assess soil health and take necessary actions. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL5eu forest strategyThe new EU Forest Strategy for 2030, part of the European Green Deal, aims to improve the quantity and quality of EU forests, strengthen their protection and restoration, and promote sustainable forest management. It recognizes the multi-functional role of forests for biodiversity, climate, and socio-economic benefits. | · | · | 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.
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 soil degradation challenges in managed forests and natural/semi-natural lands often lack effective, context-specific solutions that are technically, socially, and economically viable for local adoption.
There is a critical need for improved, standardized soil health monitoring and high-quality data at local and regional levels to accurately assess soil conditions and the impact of interventions.
Despite existing knowledge, there are barriers to the widespread adoption of effective soil health solutions by land managers and users due to a lack of practice-oriented knowledge and tailored support.
Participatory initiatives like Living Labs often struggle to secure long-term financial and organizational sustainability beyond initial project funding, limiting their lasting impact and potential for lighthouse development.
Step 2 of 2 · Build your concept
The long-term impacts your project should drive — this shapes the objectives next.
The project will lead to a significant increase in the uptake of effective and sustainable soil health solutions by land managers and users in managed forests and natural/semi-natural lands, contributing to healthier ecosystems and more resilient land use.
The Living Labs will demonstrate measurable improvements in key soil health indicators, leading to enhanced soil functions, increased biodiversity, and strengthened ecosystem services (e.g., carbon sequestration, water regulation) in managed forests or natural/semi-natural lands.
The project will build capacities for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research and innovation, fostering a culture of co-creation among diverse actors to generate and disseminate practice-oriented knowledge for soil health solutions.
Project outcomes and lessons learned from the Living Labs will directly inform policymakers at various levels, leading to the design and implementation of more effective and locally relevant policies that enhance soil health and consider the economic sustainability of solutions.
The project will establish viable financial and organizational models, ensuring the continued operation and impact of the Living Labs and the formal recognition and replication of exemplary Lighthouse sites beyond the Horizon Europe funding period.