iCOSHELLs Consortium Meeting in Bilbao: A Multidisciplinary Journey of Collaboration and Innovation

Last week, the iCOSHELLs consortium gathered in the Basque Country for an inspiring three-day meeting hosted in and around Bilbao by the Basque Living Lab. The event brought together all Living Labs and most project partners for a rich exchange of ideas, experiences, and perspectives. It was an opportunity not only to advance the project’s work but also to strengthen the human connections and shared purpose that drive iCOSHELLs forward.

After one year of collaboration, the first day focused on project management and coordination, setting the foundations for the next steps. Partners discussed progress across work packages, shared updates from their Living Labs, and aligned future objectives. This opening day emphasised the value of teamwork and transparency in ensuring the project’s long-term impact.

Immersing in the Basque Living Lab

The second day offered an immersive exploration of the Basque Living Lab, revealing the multidisciplinary essence of iCOSHELLs.

The group began the day at the Forua City Council, where the mayor warmly welcomed the consortium in Euskera, Spanish, and English, a gesture that perfectly captured the inclusive and multicultural spirit of the project. The journey continued with the presentation of the Basque Living Lab and a visit to the Landaberde site, where participants witnessed practical examples of soil and ecosystem restoration.

Next came the visit to the Urdaibai Bird Center, a lighthouse site of a Basque stakeholder, where biodiversity conservation and community engagement take center stage.

In the afternoon, partners joined a co-creation session at Ikastola San Fidel, participating in a playful escape room activity focused on soil literacy, an innovative and educational way to engage all generations in understanding the importance of healthy soils.

Later, a Txakoli wine tasting served as both a cultural and technical exchange. Through the lens of local viticulture, participants discussed soil health challenges and solutions in the agricultural sector, linking research, tradition, and practice.

The day concluded with a memorable concert blending flamenco and txalaparta (a traditional Basque percussion instrument) symbolising the end of the apple cycle. A poetic and vibrant moment aligned with the New European Bauhaus values of sustainability, beauty, and cultural connection.

Sharing and Shaping the Future

The final day focused on the presentation of all Living Labs and an interactive iCOSHiNE workshop. Participants exchanged experiences and progress updates, gaining a clearer understanding of each other’s activities. The workshop provided a valuable space to share insights and lessons learned, co-develop new ideas, and reflect collectively on the project’s Soil Health Monitoring methodologies and the first preliminary exploitable results emerging from the work so far.

The Bilbao meeting was far more than a technical gathering. It was a celebration of collaboration, creativity, and shared purpose, showcasing how iCOSHELLs unites disciplines, cultures, and communities around a common goal: to restore and care for our soils through innovation and collective action.
Meeting in person also offered a powerful reminder of the human side of the project, an inspiring and motivating opportunity to reflect together on what it means to be part of the iCOSHELLs community and to strengthen the shared “Living Labs identity” that connects us all.

Pictures by Gorka Nalda