NBSOIL, a pioneering project in soil health and nature-based solutions, showcased its innovative approached at the EU Mission Soil Week, an inaugural event held in the Spanish capital Madrid between 21-23 November.
Held within the framework of the Horizon Europe Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe,’ EU Mission Soil Week was organised by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI), together the EU-funded project PREPSOIL and the Joint Research Centre – EU Soil Observatory (EUSO). NBSOIL is part of the Soil Mission and actively contributes to its goal of achieving healthier soils in Europe by directly addressing soil advisors.
NBSOIL project coordinator Dr. Grzegorz Siebelec, from the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation (IUNG), on 21 November presented the project during the “Breakout session 3 – Farming practices for soil health.” This session shed light on the project’s core objectives and methodologies, emphasising sustainable farming practices for enhanced soil health.
REVOLVE’s Javier Montellano took the stage on 22 November during the “Breakout session 5 – Knowledge transfer to farm advisors” to present the nature-based solutions that form the backbone of the upcoming NBSOIL Academy. This session underscored the importance of knowledge dissemination among farm advisors for effective implementation.
This inaugural edition of the European Mission Soil Week was a significant gathering within the European soil community. It provided a platform for the sharing and promotion of solutions based on the latest research findings and innovations aimed at fostering healthier soils. The event was held in Madrid under the Spanish Presidency of the EU Council and was hosted by INIA-CSIC at the central facilities of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC).
The NBSOIL vision revolves around cultivating a new generation of soil advisors, pivotal in the successful integration and promotion of nature-based solutions. This approach emphasises inclusive knowledge-intensive models where soil advisors are instrumental in bridging the gap between theory and practical application. The recently launched NBSOIL massive online course (MOOC) on nature-based solutions for soil management is an example of that.
As the only Soil Mission project specifically addressing soil advisors, NBSOIL remains steadfast in its commitment to crafting a vision for a new generation of soil advisors proficient in implementing nature-based solutions across various land use sectors from agriculture and forestry to urban and post-industrial. This forward-thinking vision hinges on inclusive models, emphasising the pivotal role of soil advisors in translating theoretical concepts into tangible practices.
