What this journey is about
Life on Earth depends on healthy soils. However, according to EU Soil Observatory (EUSO) dashboard, more than 60% of EU soils are considered unhealthy due to current management practices, pollution, urbanisation and the effects of climate change. To tackle this, the European Union, as part of the Mission Soil, is creating a diverse network of actors, the Mission Soil Living Labs and Lighthouses to address this challenge by 2030.
This network of Soil Health Living Labs (LL) and Lighthouses (LH), is embarking on an ambitious journey to support the transition towards healthy soils. They play a crucial role in accelerating the adoption of sustainable practices by users and in fostering the development of solutions tailored to specific local conditions.
But they can't do it alone; which is why SOILL (2024-2028) was established, guided by the Soil Mission Implementation Plan, to set up and run an effective, agile, transdisciplinary, diffuse, open and fair one-stop-shop structure to coordinate, support, enlarge, and promote a network of up to 100 LL and LH and ensure their co-created user-centred, harmonized, reliable, impactful, replicable, and sustainable lead of the transition towards healthy soils. As part of this support, Climate KIC is leading on capacity building support, including the development and delivery of the first ever SOILL Learning Journey.
When interacting with the SOILL-LJ, users will notice that it is designed in chronological stages and steps based on the lifespan of a typical Soil Health LL or LH. For each stage, users will be directed to an open catalogue of tools and resources, which are free to access and use. For selected Soil Health LLs and LHs, a series of online trainings and capacity building activities are being designed and delivered around this journey, where specific trainings, coaching and peer exchange are provided. The SOILL-LJ serves as a knowledge framework for navigating resources and information, which can be accessed at the right time.
The first version of the SOILL LJ was developed by Climate KIC in November 2024 based on feedback received from the 2024 Mission-funded Living Labs and has since been updated in 2025. Further revisions and edits are expected, as needs emerge. Should you have feedback or questions, feel free to contact us through the dedicated SOILL Helpdesk (select Capacity Building topic).
Who is the SOILL Learning Journey for?
The SOILL LJ targets all individuals and organisations that are part of the network of Soil Health LLs and LHs. It is important to note that this does not only include those LLs and LHs that are funded through the Soil Mission. This network includes three recognised types of LL and LHs as outlined in the visual below. For a more detailed description of Soil Health LLs and LHs, please visit our website here.
Within this broader network, the SOILL LJ has been designed to attract a large diversity of profiles across Europe involved in the operations of a LL/LH. These may include those involved in governance, day-to-day management, communications, those working with key stakeholders or with specific subject matter expertise.
Life on Earth depends on healthy soils. However, according to EU Soil Observatory (EUSO) dashboard, more than 60% of EU soils are considered unhealthy due to current management practices, pollution, urbanisation and the effects of climate change. To tackle this, the European Union, as part of the Mission Soil, is creating a diverse network of actors, the Mission Soil Living Labs and Lighthouses to address this challenge by 2030.
This network of Soil Health Living Labs (LL) and Lighthouses (LH), is embarking on an ambitious journey to support the transition towards healthy soils. They play a crucial role in accelerating the adoption of sustainable practices by users and in fostering the development of solutions tailored to specific local conditions.
But they can't do it alone; which is why SOILL (2024-2028) was established, guided by the Soil Mission Implementation Plan, to set up and run an effective, agile, transdisciplinary, diffuse, open and fair one-stop-shop structure to coordinate, support, enlarge, and promote a network of up to 100 LL and LH and ensure their co-created user-centred, harmonized, reliable, impactful, replicable, and sustainable lead of the transition towards healthy soils. As part of this support, Climate KIC is leading on capacity building support, including the development and delivery of the first ever SOILL Learning Journey.
The vision of the SOILL Learning Journey (SOILL LJ) is to provide a structured, long-term approach to capacity building, designed to guide and equip Soil Health Living Labs and Lighthouses with the direction, tools, knowledge, and frameworks necessary to thrive and achieve their goals. Ultimately the SOILL LJ aims to support a Living Lab or Lighthouse from the moment they discover SOILL, until they become a mature and stable Living Lab or Lighthouse, with improved soil health and scaling of their approach.
When interacting with the SOILL-LJ, users will notice that it is designed in chronological stages and steps based on the lifespan of a typical Soil Health LL or LH. For each stage, users will be directed to an open catalogue of tools and resources, which are free to access and use. For selected Soil Health LLs and LHs, a series of online trainings and capacity building activities are being designed and delivered around this journey, where specific trainings, coaching and peer exchange are provided. The SOILL-LJ serves as a knowledge framework for navigating resources and information, which can be accessed at the right time.
The first version of the SOILL LJ was developed by Climate KIC in November 2024 based on feedback received from the 2024 Mission-funded Living Labs and has since been updated in 2025. Further revisions and edits are expected, as needs emerge. Should you have feedback or questions, feel free to contact us through the dedicated SOILL Helpdesk (select Capacity Building topic).
Who is the SOILL Learning Journey for?
The SOILL LJ targets all individuals and organisations that are part of the network of Soil Health LLs and LHs. It is important to note that this does not only include those LLs and LHs that are funded through the Soil Mission. This network includes three recognised types of LL and LHs as outlined in the visual below. For a more detailed description of Soil Health LLs and LHs, please visit our website here.
Mission Soil Living Labs and Lighthouses
Living Labs and Lighthouses that are specifically funded under the dedicated topics of the Mission Soil. Fully compliant with the criteria of the Mission Soil.
European Soil Living Labs and Lighthouses
Living Labs and Lighthouses that exist within the broader European landscape that are fully aligned to the Mission Soil criteria but do not receive direct funding from the dedicated Mission Soil topics.
Emerging Soil Living Labs and Lighthouses
Potential and emerging Living Labs and Lighthouses including on-the-ground experiments and pilot projects, not yet fully aligned to the Mission Soil criteria.
Within this broader network, the SOILL LJ has been designed to attract a large diversity of profiles across Europe involved in the operations of a LL/LH. These may include those involved in governance, day-to-day management, communications, those working with key stakeholders or with specific subject matter expertise.