CURIOSOIL's Soil Literacy Assessment !

Resources from the session:

The slides presented
The invitation for the 2025 Spring meeting of CURIOSOIL Community of Practice on 6th June 2025
The recording below:

Be sure to follow our CURIOSOIL LinkedIn page and subscribe to our LinkedIn CURIOSOIL Newsletter.

Introduction to the CURIOSOIL Project

By collaboratively developing educational products, curriculum standards, and teacher training programs, CURIOSOIL aims to increase the appreciation of soil value and to align with the EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe.” This initiative cultivates soil literacy, engages citizens, and promotes sustainable soil practices. The project aims to integrate soil health into EU school curricula by 2030, fostering awareness, knowledge, and behavioural changes for a resilient and climate-smart future.

Running from 2024 to 2028, the project emphasizes different priorities each year. Benefits of participation in the Community of practice include early access to educational materials and financial support for national events. Indeed, a key workpackage “Engaging educational public authorities, policy and decision-makers” will deliver:

15 National workshops for the co-creation of recommendations for policymakers with a target attendance of >100 school and university heads
1 EU Final Conference with 100+ stakeholders and education policymakers
15 National and 1 EU policy briefs with recommendations for policymakers co-developed with school heads and education policy stakeholders

Looking back to the January training: Best Practice Videos & Interviews Shot with Your Cell Phone” from the European Science Communication Institute (ESCI)

The “Training: Best Practice Videos & Interviews Shot with Your Cell Phone“ (29/01/2025), led by Ariane Bethusy-Huc from the European Science Communication Institute (ESCI), provided participants with practical tools to create impactful video content using readily available technology. Ariane emphasized that videos are a crucial medium for communication, education, and community engagement. Recognizing that not all participants have access to professional video equipment, the training was designed to empower them with techniques for producing high-quality videos using their smartphones. Hosted on January 29, 2025, this hands-on session covered strategies for improving interview results, essential technical skills for filming, and affordable accessories to enhance production quality.

Ariane elaborated on the training objectives, which include enabling participants to document their activities, such as workshops, events, and hands-on educational sessions. These videos can serve multiple purposes, from enriching social media campaigns to contributing to Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) that highlight best practices in soil education. Ariane shared examples of compelling footage, such as educators conducting soil experiments, students engaged in gardening, and nonprofit workshops showcasing interactive learning. By equipping attendees with these skills, the training aims to amplify the reach and impact of soil literacy initiatives across the CoP network.

Ariane encouraged the community to leverage this opportunity to showcase their work and inspire others. By fostering a collaborative approach, the training not only enhances individual capacities but also strengthens the collective storytelling efforts of the CURIOSOIL project.

You can find here the summary and recording of the training.

Advancing Soil Education: Insights from the CURIOSOIL Community of Practice Meeting

A presentation led by Harry te Riele from the European School Heads Association (ESHA) focused on policy development, participatory activities, and advancing soil literacy across Europe. Harry outlined how CURIOSOIL aligns with international educational strategies, citing the OECD’s 2023 Education Policy Outlook, which underscores the role of education in facilitating greener societies.

An overview of CURIOSOIL’s long-term vision, spanning from 2024 to 2028 and involving 16 European countries, was presented. The initiative aims to integrate soil science into educational routines, moving beyond traditional agricultural methods toward sustainable development models. Preliminary country analyses conducted in 2024 shed light on existing soil education policies, identifying gaps between theory and practice.

Focus Groups and Participatory Engagement

To refine these country-specific insights, CURIOSOIL is establishing focus groups, with each country represented by three experts in education, policymaking, and soil science. These groups will review and enhance the preliminary analyses, ensuring relevance and accuracy. The first meetings are set to begin on March 6, 2025, and participants were invited to register their interest during the session. This initiative is designed to ensure that soil education strategies are both practical and adaptable to the needs of different regions.

Harry te Riele shared a comprehensive 360-page preliminary report covering soil education in 16 European countries. The document, which will remain a living resource, is slated for finalization by July 2025. CoP members were urged to review and contribute country-specific insights, ensuring that the analysis remains relevant and impactful for future policy development at the EU level.

The Role of Individuals in Societal Transition

Harry te Riele dived into the dynamics of societal change, highlighting how individuals contribute to transformation. Participants were categorized into three groups: optimizers, explorers, and those who balance both perspectives. A poll revealed that 50% of attendees see themselves as overseers, 33% as guardians of trusted values, and 19% as innovators. This exercise underscored the diverse approaches required to implement lasting change in soil education and sustainability practices.

Challenges and Innovations in Soil Education

One of the core discussions revolved around the challenges of integrating soil health into school curricula. Obstacles such as limited resources, lack of teacher training, and inadequate policy support were highlighted. Participants proposed innovative solutions, including partnerships with agricultural experts, experiential learning programs, and urban gardening initiatives. These approaches aim to make soil education more accessible and engaging for students across different learning environments.

Upcoming CURIOSOIL Deliverables and Engagement Opportunities

You can find below CURIOSOIL’s key deliverables for 2025, where we encourage active participation from CoP members:

Primary Education and General Public Assessment Questionnaires: These assessments, set to launch by the end of March 2025, will evaluate soil literacy across Europe.
CURIOSOIL App: A virtual tour of the world’s soil museum, scheduled for beta release in June 2025, will provide an interactive learning experience.
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs): Designed for schools and higher education institutions, these courses are expected to be available by the end of the year 2025.

CoP members are encouraged to provide feedback on these resources before their finalization and translation into multiple languages for broader accessibility.

We emphasize that all CURIOSOIL materials are open-source and available for adaptation, even in countries not originally included in the project scope.

As CURIOSOIL continues its mission, the involvement of CoP members remains crucial. Participants are encouraged to join focus groups, contribute to the development of educational materials, and actively engage in shaping soil education policies. The next phase of the project promises deeper collaboration, enhanced learning tools, and meaningful contributions to global sustainability efforts.

Synergies with Soil Mission projects: LOESS & CURIOSOIL

We would also like to highlight collaboration opportunities with the LOESS project, Literacy Boost through an Operational Educational Ecosystem of Societal Actors on Soil Health, and the potential learnings through the various Mission Soil and soil health-related projects:

You can read about these and all projects related to Mission Soil in their list.