LILAS4SOILS: one year advancing sustainable solutions for healthy and productive soils

Over the course of five years and supported by €11.6 million in funding, the LILAS4SOILS project will create and support 5 Living Labs to test Carbon Farming Practices in 100 demo sites. LILAS4SOILS has a clear mission: to improve soil health and support the transition towards more sustainable farming practices across Europe. Healthy soils are the foundation of resilient food systems, they sustain biodiversity, store carbon, retain water, and ensure long-term agricultural productivity. Yet, they face growing pressures from climate change, overuse, and degradation.

Over the past 12 months, LILAS4SOILS has brought together farmers, researchers, policymakers, agrifood professionals, technology developers and industry partners to co-create practical, science-based solutions that protect and restore soil health. This first anniversary is an opportunity not only to celebrate what has been achieved, but also to highlight the importance of continuing to work together towards healthier soils, more sustainable agriculture and stronger food systems for the future.

In its first year, LILAS4SOILS has achieved significant milestones that are already shaping the future of soil management in Europe:

• Living Labs launched across six countries: Between February and April 2025, five Living Labs in Greece, Portugal/Spain, Italy, France and Israel were officially opened. The launch events were structured as co-design workshops with a total of 471 participants representing (farmers, academia, industry, public authorities, technology developers, agrifood professionals and civil society. Participants set shared visions and discussed, local challenges, and Carbon Farming Practices (CFP) to test and validate.
• Monitoring Reporting and Verification (MRV) Protocol introduced: LILAS4SOILS developed an innovative soil sampling and monitoring protocol tailored to Mediterranean farms, striking a balance between accuracy and cost-effectiveness. More than 50 experts reviewed and provided inputs on the protocol in an online knowledge sharing workshop, ensuring its alignment and contribution to EU carbon farming certification frameworks.
  
• Open Call for Farmers launched: A successful call attracted over 280 applications, from which 50 farmers across Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Greece, and Israel were selected to join the project. Each will apply Carbon Farming Practices (CFPs) to 1–5 hectares of land over four years, receiving €5,000 per year for their active involvement. This strong response underscores both the breadth of interest in regenerative practices and the consortium’s capacity to mobilise diverse farming communities in tackling soil degradation at its roots. Following their selection, the next major step will be the first sampling campaign, scheduled for September/October 2025, which will establish baseline soil data before the full implementation of the practices.

LILAS4SOILS contributed to shape farmers' daily activities. Farmers from the different Living Labs were involved in a co-creation journey and knowledge sharing ecosystem that positively impacted the evolution of their jobs.

LILAS4SOILS project will continue its journey in the upcoming months.

• MRV Protocol Review and First Sampling Campaign: Following the first knowledge sharing workshop, NEIKER (WP4 lead) is currently working on integrating feedback from partners and stakeholders in a revised version. This updated protocol will guide Living Lab leaders in the first sampling campaign, scheduled to start in September/October 2025, covering LILAS4SOILS 100 farms. The data collected will establish robust soil health and carbon stock baselines before the full roll-out of Carbon Farming Practices.
  
• Open Call to select 15 MRV technology companies will be launched in November 2025. We are looking for technological SMEs, start-ups, spin-offs or research teams with promising new technology or devices that need to be tested and validated in real conditions. Selected companies will have the chance to work with LILAS4SOILS farmers and experts over a period of 2 years. Follow us on social media not to miss this opportunity!
• Upcoming European Carbon Farming Summit 2026: Mark your calendars, from 17 to 19 March 2026, the third European Carbon Farming Summit will take place at the Padova Congress Centre in Padua, Italy. Co-hosted by EIT Food (as coordinator of LILAS4SOILS), SAE Innova, Climate-KIC and Confagricoltura Veneto, with the support of Veneto Agricoltura, the Summit will convene 700 experts to shape the future of regenerative agriculture across Europe. This Summit will represent a key opportunity for the LILAS4SOILS community to share results, connect with peers, and influence policy and practice on a scale.

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