The European Mission Soil Week 2024, held from 12-14 November in Brussels has been an incredibly energetic event, full of interactive sessions and opportunities to learn and exchange ideas. With over 250 participants, the event brought together stakeholders, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to exchange knowledge, foster collaboration, and align efforts toward achieving the ambitious targets of the EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe.”
SOILL-Startup: Supporting the Soil Health Living Labs
SOILL-Startup is a cornerstone initiative supporting the establishment of 100 Soil Health Living Labs (SHLLs) by 2030. These Living Labs, local research and innovation ecosystems, are designed to drive Europe’s transition to sustainable soil management by promoting innovative solutions and fostering collaboration among land managers, researchers, businesses, and communities.
Trust-IT Services, a key partner in SOILL-Startup, leads the project’s communication, dissemination, and outreach efforts, ensuring the initiative’s activities resonate with diverse audiences and stakeholders.
Celebrating the Launch of the First 25 Soil Health Living Labs
During the Mission Soil Week, the first 25 Mission Soil Living Labs were officially acknowledged for the groundbreaking impact they will bear at local and - via scalable and replicable good practices and innovations - European Level. Trust-IT Services contributed to organising the Living Lab Ceremony, symbolising the start of these Living Labs’ activities. Lab representatives received bespoke plaques and pins, designed by SOILL-Startup, celebrating their commitment to advancing soil health across Europe.
SOILL-Startup Annual Engagement Event
Taking advantage of the Mission Soil Week’s momentum, Trust-IT Services participated in the coordination of the SOILL-Startup Annual Engagement Event on 11 November, a day before the main conference. Held at Atelier 29 in Brussels, the event brought together representatives from the 25 Living Labs, policymakers, and Mission coordinators, offering a platform for knowledge exchange and community building. The aim of the event was to gather SOILL-Startup partners, European Commission representatives who are involved in the Mission Soil to various degrees and the Living Lab representatives. The event contributed to strengthening the sense of community and belonging to the same common cause, besides introducing the Living Lab representatives the support services SOILL-Startup will provide to allow them to thrive.
Innovative Communication & Stakeholder Engagement
During the European Mission Soil Week, Trust-IT Services spearheaded impactful communication efforts, including the design and distribution of plantable project cards with QR codes directing users to the SOILL-Startup website. These eco-friendly materials highlighted SOILL-Startup’s innovative branding identity and approach to stakeholder engagement and sustainability.
Trust-IT Services also presented SOILL-Startup during the project trail, a guided tour through exhibitor booths. Here, attendees were encouraged to join the SOILL ecosystem by completing the Stakeholder Mapping Form - tool crucial for connecting the soil health community and fostering partnerships across Europe.
Trust-IT’s Role in SOILL-Startup and Beyond
As a leader in digital communication, Trust-IT Services ensures the SOILL-Startup project maintains a strong and user-friendly digital presence. From designing the project’s website to developing the Stakeholder Mapping Form, Trust-IT integrates advanced UX principles to create seamless and engaging experiences for users.
SOILL-Startup builds on the groundwork of earlier projects, such as PREPSOIL and NATI00NS, ensuring continuity and leveraging established networks to advance the EU Mission Soil’s objectives. Together, these initiatives form a robust network propelling the mission’s vision of sustainable soil health forward.
The European Mission Soil Week 2024 underscored the vital role of collaboration in addressing Europe’s soil health challenges. With Trust-IT Services leading the SOILL-Startup’s communication and engagement strategy, stakeholders are invited to actively participate in shaping a sustainable future for European soils.
Explore the SOILL-Startup website and contribute to the Stakeholder Mapping Form. Your input is invaluable in building a dynamic and collaborative community dedicated to healthier soils across Europe.
