Degradation pressures, mainly due to human activities related to overconsumption and industrial processes, affect soil health through physical damage or the introduction of pollutants. In turn, these processes disrupt the capacity of soils to provide a range of ecosystem services, with major economic, environmental, and societal consequences. Action is therefore urgently needed.

The ambitious EU mission “A Pact for Healthy Soils in Europe” aims to create 100 regional “Living Labs” and “Lighthouses”, knowledge, and innovation centers, jointly creating and testing soil management practices and solutions to improve soil health.

The mission’s ambition to achieve visible effects through its eight specific objectives requires a regular and efficient implementation of the Living Labs, as well as a good functioning and effective capitalization of the results. For this purpose, the Living Labs must be well anchored, based on strong and committed communities, aware of the specific needs of soils in the framework of the mission, and access to knowledge and exchange networks.

Under the coordination of BUSINESSMED and as part of the engagement event in Tunisia, the NATI00NS project will assist and mediate the mission, addressing key advocacy messages to national stakeholders.

OBJECTIVES

• To raise awareness of the value of land as the foundation of our economy, social fabric, and ecosystems, and the need to change the way we manage land towards net-zero emission, efficient, smart, and circular production, and consumption systems
• To inform potential applicants of the concept and criteria of Living Labs and Lighthouses as established by the Mission
• To inform potential applicants about the conditions and timetable of the two open calls, followed by the presentation of concrete examples of Living Labs implementation at the national level
• To provide guidance to participants on upcoming activities: the creation of regional and transnational education and training networks through the B2match platform, and guidance on capacity-building opportunities