LOESS – for better soil health

LOESS is an EU project aimed at increasing public interest and knowledge about the importance of soil health.  VA (Public & Science) will be coordinating the development and testing of innovative educational materials aimed at school pupils, students and the general public, through dialogue and co-creation with a wide range of stakeholders. The three-year project runs between 1 June 2023 – 31 May 2026.

The LOESS project “Literacy boost through and Operational Educational Ecosystem of Societal actors on Soil health” is being carried out by 20 partner organisations in 15 European countries. It is funded by the European Commission under the EU Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’, which aims to lead the transition towards healthy soils by 2030.

Healthy soils provide us with many essential ecosystem services. Soil filters and absorbs water, which reduces the risk of flooding and drought. It also produces food, biomass and sequesters large amounts of carbon. Through its ability to both act as a carbon sink and absorb water, soil plays a crucial role in regulating the climate.

However, today’s industrial agricultural methods have led to major problems, including erosion, drought, retention and reduced soil productivity. Monoculture, decreased soil organic matter and over intensive farming pose a serious threat to biodiversity. To reverse this trend, increased awareness of the importance of soil health is required i.e. having soils in good chemical, biological and physical balance.

LOESS project activities

• Mapping of existing soil-related materials and educational programmes and identification of educational needs.
• Engagement and connection of relevant stakeholders in Communities of Practice in participating countries.
• Co-creation and piloting of courses, modules, materials and learning tools for soil education.
• Hands-on activities related to soil education through Community Engaged Research and Learning, augmented reality and crowd mapping.
• The development of a European Atlas of soil education and training.
• Campaigns and dissemination activities aimed at schools, universities and members of the public.

VA (Public & Science) is leading the establishment of the Communities of Practices, the development and testing of educational materials and courses, as well as campaigns aimed at the general public.

Project Partners

Associated Partners

• Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary
• Queen’s University of Belfast, UK

If you are interested in finding out more about the project and joining the Swedish Community of Practice, please get in touch with Maria Jacobson at VA.

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