Introduction to the Project

SOILL-Startup is the first in a series of support schemes for the implementation of the ambitious objectives of the Horizon Europe Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’ which aims to establish 100 Soil Health Living Labs and Lighthouses (SHLLs/LHs).  

The SOILL-Startup will run in 2024-2025 and aims to support and empower a growing soil health community in Europe. To this end, SOILL-Startup will provide practical support to local and regional stakeholders and capitalise learning from LLs and LHs already established. In a second phase, from 2026-2030, SOILL will pave the way for scaling up the initiative and widening the community in the forthcoming years.  

The project will set up and run an effective and transdisciplinary one-stop-shop to coordinate, support, enlarge and promote the network of 100 Soil Mission Living Labs and Lighthouses to lead the transition towards healthy soils across different settings, geographical and socio-economic contexts all over Europe. 

Project Objectives

Specific objectives of the projects are:

  • Establish a one-stop-shop structure: Create and operate an efficient, agile, transdisciplinary, diffuse, open and fair coordination and support system for the network of 100 SHLL/LHs funded under the Mission Soil. This structure will be created in participatory collaboration with the first waves of SHLLs and key stakeholders and initiatives. 
  • Support the SHLL/LHs in their development and deployment. Monitor and assess the SHLL/LHs activities and performances.  
  • Promote the creation of new SHLL/LHs (networking enlargement), facilitate consortia creation, advice and support possible applicants. 
  • Facilitate synergies and collaboration, as well as the exchange of knowledge, data, results and solutions.  

ERRIN's Role

ERRIN is leading the work on fostering collaboration and synergies within the Soil Health Living Labs (SHLLs) and Lighthouses (LHs) as well as within the wider SOILL community. ERRIN will establish connections, dialogues and partnerships with various stakeholders, including potential applicants, existing SHLL/LHs outside the Mission, relevant projects and initiatives at local, national and European levels, making connections among the EU Missions. ERRIN will also map the needs and identify common interests to set-up as from 2025 onwards Thematic Working Groups to support the transition towards healthy soil.  

  • Joanna Komperda
  • Project and Policy Manager
  • Gianpiero Petruzziello
  • Project and Communications Officer
  • Silvia Ghiretti
  • EU Missions and Policy Officer
  • Astrid Hannes
  • Project and Policy Manager
  • Ryan Titley
  • Director of Projects

Benefit & Links

SOILL-Startup will provide ERRIN members with opportunities to express their specific needs, allowing the project to tailor their support activities to the needs identified at local and regional levels.  

In-kind support will be provided to local and regional authorities to successfully mobilise the stakeholders in their innovation ecosystems, empowering them to commit to a long-term, bottom-up, multi-stakeholder and collaboratively approach to improve the soil health on the ground. This will be a unique opportunity for ERRIN members to learn from pioneering Living Labs and to engage with frontrunning initiatives with a high potential for replication. They will also share effective practices and innovative approaches from the wider SOILL community on how to embed the Soil Mission in regional policies and align with other EU Missions. Networking opportunities will be provided to local and regional stakeholders to build consortia and project proposals to establish long-term partnerships, to replicate good practices and to effectively apply for forthcoming Horizon Europe funding opportunities to establish new Soil Health Living Labs and Lighthouses.  

Latest Updates

recruitment
  • By Teresa Vio

ERRIN is looking for a Head of projects

In view of the upcoming departure of ERRIN's current Director of projects, Ryan Titley, ERRIN is looking for a replacement to start in September 2024. The new colleague will work closely with the ERRIN Director on strategic planning, and lead the implementation and development of ERRIN's current and future project portfolio. Applications are open until 20 May at 17.00 CEST.