HIGHLIGHTS#1 – May to September 2025

We are pleased to present the first edition of our HIGHLIGHTS series, a quarterly collection showcasing the latest news, achievements, and activities from our Living Labs and partners.

Between May and September 2025, our community has been actively advancing innovation, collaboration, and real-world impact across diverse initiatives and events. Explore their stories below!

Testing of soil health solutions runs smoothly in Bulgaria

The Bulgarian Living Lab completed soil sampling and soil analysis in collaboration with 10 viticulture producers (test-sites) under the guidance of the AUP researchers and experts through on-site field-visits. Key soil indicators such as soil nutrients, soil physical properties, soil biological activity and metagenomic parameters were analysed.

CSCP launches iCOSHINE

iCOSHINE sessions provide a pan-European platform to explore synergies and trade-offs at both the Living Lab and solution level, ensuring a systemic perspective on soil health innovation. In September took place the first session that introduced the concept and facilitated knowledge exchange and extracting learnings across the Living Labs.

GREENNOMED becomes official!

GREENNOMED celebrates the registration of its trademark at the EUIPO, securing legal protection throughout the EU until 2034. This milestone reinforces the Living Lab’s commitment to innovation and sustainability in environmental and soil health, and aims to inspire other Living Labs in developing growth strategies. Partners are now refining the LL business model, while CETENMA develops the LL Development Plan, incorporating valuable feedback from the SOILL project’s Monitoring & Evaluation Report.
In addition, on 8 May 2025, the Southeastern Spain Living Lab held a productive meeting with 50 stakeholders to discuss the relevance of its proposed solutions and identify the crops where these solutions should be tested. During this period, partners also carried out baseline soil analyses at the LL agricultural sites, under the supervision of the LL coordinator.

1st Co-creation session in the Greek Living Lab

The 1st co-creation session of the Greek Mine Soil Health Living Lab led by CluBE was held online on 27 June 2025 and brought together a diverse group of stakeholders: researchers, citizens, land users, and community representatives, to discuss soil contamination challenges and explore phytoremediation solutions.

Through presentations, interactive tools like Mentimeter, and open dialogue, participants evaluated potential plant species, exchanged perspectives on scientific and practical considerations, and clarified concepts such as the value chain. While no final decisions were reached, the session fostered active engagement, revealed valuable insights, and laid a strong foundation for future collaborative decision-making and sustainable land management practices.

Swedish farmers exploring soil solutions

Between May and September 2025, the Swedish Living Lab carried out soil sampling for baseline analysis on the farms, revealing differences in crops, management strategies, and the presence of worms.
The second co-creation workshops took place at two major farm exhibitions, Borgeby and Brunnby, where participants met technical providers, students, researchers, and the public. The workshops fostered discussions on challenges and potential solutions for improving soil health.

iCOSHELLs presented on earth.org thanks to ESCI

The first iCOSHELLs featured article was published on earth.org on 18 September. It highlights the urgent need to restore Europe’s soils and showcases iCOSHELLs’ role in developing innovative, locally tailored solutions through our six Living Labs across Europe. The piece also introduces tools like the “Catalogue of Soil Health Indicators,” which standardises monitoring and ensures scalability of solutions.

The Basque Living Lab engages community and students

In June 2025, the Basque Living Lab hosted two co-creation sessions that blended science, art, and community engagement. On June 18th, the Forua-Urdaibai Exhibition at the DOCK in Bilbao showcased a year-long collaborative journey exploring soil health, biodiversity, and cultural identity in the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve. Students, professors, local citizens, and LL partners presented artworks, paintings, and drawings accompanied by an immersive soundscape, highlighting how art can foster soil literacy and ecological awareness.
The following day, the second co-creation session at San Fidel School focused on selecting sites for baseline soil sampling. With guidance from CETENMA, participants combined scientific methods with local knowledge, while children engaged in hands-on citizen science activities, testing soil and water quality and decorating the space with educational posters. These sessions demonstrated how technical planning, creativity, and community participation can work together to promote environmental action.

Sustainable Soil Restoration in Western Macedonia

As part of the 89th Thessaloniki International Fair, CluBE was proudly represented by George Martinidis at an event organised by CERTH (Centre for Research & Technology Hellas), dedicated to the management and restoration of degraded soils. During the event, iCOSHELLS and the Greek Living Lab on former lignite sites in Western Macedonia were presented, along with its innovative solutions, including phytoremediation practices aimed at environmental restoration and sustainable development

iCOSHELLs at the Mission Soil Podcast!

In the third episode of the Mission Soil podcast, iCOSHELLS joined our Sister Living Lab projects to discuss innovative approaches in soil restoration and sustainable land management. Erik Sindhoj represented iCOSHELLS, sharing the project’s key aims, achievements, and progress to date, alongside Sonia Pietosi from LILAS4SOILS and Cristina Carlos from LivingSoiLL. The discussion highlighted the practical solutions being implemented within the iCOSHELLS Living Labs, fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration across the EU soil community.
Listen to it here!