European Mission Soil Week: Leading the transition to healthier soils

The European Mission Soil Week (EMSW) 2024 returns, building on its vital role in promoting research, innovation and engagement on soil protection and restoration. This year’s event will bring together key stakeholders to discuss soil health challenges and to showcase innovative research, practical solutions and actions. Through discussions, field visits and collaborative sessions, EMSW 2024 will push forward the collective effort to protect and improve the future of Europe’s soils.

The EMSW 2024 will take place from 12 to 13 November in Brussels, Belgium. Organised by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI), the event is held in collaboration with the Joint Research Centre – EU Soil Observatory (EUSO), with additional support from the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD) and the European Research Executive Agency (REA).

Why soil health matters

Soil health is vital to the future of life on Earth. Unfortunately, the majority of Europe’s soils are unhealthy due to poor management practices, pollution, urbanisation and climate change. The EU Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’ (Mission Soil) is at the forefront of action to reverse these trends, aligning with the EU’s goals of climate neutrality, reducing desertification and restoring biodiversity. The EMSW 2024 provides a platform to support these efforts and advance the work of ensuring Europe’s goal for healthier soils by 2050.

What to expect at EMSW 2024

Participants will have the chance to:

• Engage with the soil community: Network with soil experts, landowners, farmers, researchers, businesses and policymakers from across Europe and beyond.
• Discover the Mission Soil Living Labs: Learn more about the first 25 Living Labs established to develop, test and scale up innovative solutions for soil health across Europe.
• Gain insights into Mission-funded projects: Stay updated on the latest research and innovations funded by the Mission Soil, which aim to generate new knowledge, harmonise soil monitoring, co-design innovative solutions and engage society.
• Attend insightful plenary sessions: Delve into thought-provoking discussions on key topics, including making the Soil Monitoring Law work, human-soil relations, the newly launched Mission Soil Ambassador programme, and more.
• Help identify future research priorities: Participate in engaging breakout sessions on topics such as soil health in agriculture, soil health for a sustainable forest-based bioeconomy, healthy soils for healthy communities, and strategies for soil protection and remediation of contaminated sites.
• Go to inspiring field visits: Choose from several exciting field visits to explore examples of sustainable soil management. Participants can visit sites such as an innovative agricultural research centre, an urban reforestation project, a city transforming its landscapes with sustainable spatial planning, and a former industrial area undergoing remediation.

More information and registration here