SOILS FOR EUROPE 2026: Putting Soil Living Labs in the Spotlight
7–11 September 2026 | Coimbra, Portugal | Living Lab activities: 7–8 September 2026
This September, the European soil community will come together in Coimbra for the SOILS FOR EUROPE Conference, bringing together researchers, practitioners, policymakers and other stakeholders working towards healthier and more sustainable soils across Europe.
As a consortium partner of SOILL-Stepup, the European Landowners’ Organization (ELO) is pleased to support the project’s efforts to strengthen the visibility, exchange and collaboration of Mission Soil Living Labs across Europe.
As part of the conference, SOILL-Stepup will put Mission Soil Living Labs in the spotlight, providing dedicated opportunities to showcase their work, exchange practical experience and build new connections across the European soil community.
On 7 September, the session “Living Labs as Bridges between Science, Policy, and Territory” will bring together Mission Soil Living Labs to share how they are addressing soil health challenges in practice. Through concrete examples from different European territories, the session will explore how Living Labs connect research, governance and local actors and contribute to the agroecological transition.
On 8 September, “Living Labs in the Spotlight” will take the Living Lab experience outdoors as part of the Open Fair. In an interactive marketplace setting, Living Labs will showcase practical tools, pilot actions and results, engage directly with conference participants and the wider public, and explore opportunities for future collaboration.
The two activities offer a unique opportunity to discover how the Living Lab approach is translating the ambitions of the EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe” into action on the ground and to connect with the people making it happen.
