SOILSTICE: Strengthening Our Institutions and Localities for Soil Transformation, Inclusion, and Civic Engagement

2026-2029

Healthy soils underpin food security, biodiversity, climate resilience and community
wellbeing, yet across Europe, action to protect them remains fragmented.

SOILSTICE is changing that, putting healthy soils at the heart of local action. Bringing together soil scientists, local and regional authorities, policy networks and grassroots organisations, the project turns European soil ambitions into practical, participatory solutions on the ground.

At its core are Territorial Management Agreements (TMAs), a new governance approach that brings communities, municipalities, farmers and land managers together to protect and restore soil health.

By strengthening soil literacy, building local capacity, engaging citizens and connecting local action with European policy, SOILSTICE creates lasting systems for soil stewardship that can be replicated across Europe.

Over three years, the project will co-create 40 TMAs across at least 11 countries, engage more than 10,000 citizens, and train at least 200 local authority representatives, strengthening territories, empowering communities, and protecting the soils we all depend on.