image: Soils for Europe 2026 conference logo
Credit: Pensoft Publishers, SOLO project
Soils are the foundation of life on Earth. They provide food, regulate water, store carbon, host immense biodiversity, and underpin human wellbeing. In Europe, soils are facing increasing pressures from climate change, unsustainable land management, urbanisation, and pollution. As a result, soil degradation threatens the resilience of ecosystems, the security of food production, and the achievement of the European Green Deal.
In 2021, the European Union launched the Soil Strategy for 2030 and the Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe”, setting ambitious goals for soil health and sustainability. Yet, bridging the gap between science, policy, and societal action remains a challenge. The Soils for Europe conference, organised by the SOLO consortium in partnership with other Mission Soil projects, responds to this need by creating a space for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration across all Soil Mission Objectives, disciplines and sectors.
Taking place from 7-11 September 2026, in Coimbra, Portugal, the conference will cover all Mission Objectives and include cross-cutting sessions, showcasing the latest research being developed across Europe. Mission Soil projects will present their most recent work, allowing attendees to discover the newest innovations and initiatives.
The conference will also feature a “Living Labs Day,” dedicated to exhibiting the work of the many Living Labs across Europe focused on soil health. Representatives from these will have the opportunity to present their projects, innovations, and activities, and to engage directly with conference participants.
The event targets a broad audience, including researchers and academics in soil science and related fields, policymakers at European, national, and regional levels, land managers, farmers, foresters, and other practitioners, civil society organisations and NGOs, industry and private-sector actors involved in sustainable soil management, and students and early-career professionals who represent the next generation of soil experts.
You can find out more on the conference website and by keeping an eye on SOLO’s LinkedIn and X channels for news and updates - the call for abstracts will open soon!
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Funded by the European Union under grant agreement No. 101091115, SOLO (Soils for Europe).
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.