HIGHLIGHTS#3 – Jan to May 2026
Welcome to the third edition of our HIGHLIGHTS series, your quarterly overview of the latest developments, achievements, and activities from our Living Labs and partners. This period has seen continued progress in innovation, stronger collaboration, and meaningful impact through a variety of initiatives and events. Read on to explore their latest stories.
iCOSHELLs visit to Cartagena & Almería
RISE project coordinators visited the GREENNOMED Living Lab, which brings together farmers and researchers to test regenerative practices and smarter fertigation solutions in Mediterranean production systems, where soil organic matter and biodiversity are under increasing pressure.
Read more about the visit here
Co-creation in post-mining areas in Greece
The second Co-Creation Session of the iCOSHELLs project was organised by CluBE and hosted by the University of Western Macedonia on 18 December, within the Greek Mine Soil Health Living Lab.
The session aimed to strengthen soil literacy beyond academia by bridging scientific knowledge with real regional challenges. Participants were introduced to the objectives of the iCOSHELLs project, with a particular focus on soil health and the role of Living Labs in post-mining areas.
Overall, the event fostered active engagement among participants and contributed to the co-creation of future Living Lab actions.
Discussing the Natural and Social Balance of Urdaibai
As part of our Basque Living Lab activities, Mikel Magunazelaia, Mayor of Forua, participated in a roundtable session on “the natural and social balance of Urdaibai,” organised by the Aranzadi Science Society, .
From Security-ICT to Soil Solutions
With the support of the Basque Employment Service, work is underway to explore technologies from the Security-ICT sector that could be applied to soil security and Nature-based Solutions (NBS). This initiative focuses on identifying innovative dual-use technologies with potential benefits for soil health.
Soil Health Monitoring Across Living Labs
CETENMA, together with the iCOSHELLs consortium, has developed a practical and resource-efficient approach to monitor soil health. The methodology relies on a core set of physical, chemical and biological indicators, enabling Living Labs to effectively track changes over time.
Data collected at baseline are currently being analysed by the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid to assess soil health prototypes and support the development of predictive models.
In parallel, Living Labs are identifying the two to three most promising prototypes through a self-guided co-creation process. This selection is based on a structured methodology proposed by CETENMA, which considers environmental, social and economic aspects, as well as feasibility and replication potential.
3rd iCOSHINE on Soil Literacy
Following earlier sessions on soil structure and soil health monitoring, the third iCOSHINE cross-Living Lab exchange focused on soil literacy modules and pop-up events. The session took place online on 19 March 2026 and brought together a wide range of stakeholders.
Participants shared insights and explored interactive approaches to strengthening soil literacy, contributing to a richer exchange of experiences across Living Labs.
Read more about the session here
Our Living Labs on the spot by SOILL – Soil Health Living Lab STEPUP
As part of the SOILL-STEPUP initiative, the Soil Health Living Lab has conducted three interviews featuring our Greek, Basque, and GREENNOMED Living Labs. These conversations highlight key challenges, showcase good practices, and provide insights into ongoing activities on the ground.
The videos offer a first-hand perspective on how Living Labs operate and contribute to improving soil health across different regional contexts. Watch the interviews here to learn more about their work and experiences.
GREENNOMED Living Lab Strengthens Its Role in Europe
The GREENNOMED Living Lab is gaining momentum at the European level. The CETENMA team has been appointed co-chair of the SOILL Working Group on Living Lab Foundation Governance, alongside Professor Bartzanas from the Agricultural University of Athens.
This milestone highlights the growing recognition and influence of our Living Lab within the European research and innovation landscape.
We invite you to join the working group and contribute to shaping the future of Living Labs: https://soill2030.app/
Keep an eye out for the next issue of HIGHLIGHTS, as we continue to spotlight collaboration, innovation, and tangible solutions from Living Labs across Europe.
