Spreading Open and Inclusive Literacy and Soil Culture through Artistic Practices and Education

Project Information

SOILSCAPE

Grant agreement ID: 101156511

DOI

10.3030/101156511

EC signature date 21 May 2024

Start date 1 June 2024

End date 31 May 2028

Funded under

• Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

Total cost

€ 5 997 878,75

EU contribution

€ 5 997 878,75

Coordinated by

ASSOCIATION FRANCAISE POUR L'ETUDE DU SOL
France

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SOILSCAPE (Spreading Open and Inclusive Literacy and Soil Culture through Artistic Practices and Education)

Reporting period: 2024-06-01 to 2025-11-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Soils are the silent foundation of life, supporting food production, biodiversity, and climate regulation. Yet across Europe, they are rapidly degrading due to erosion, contamination, and the loss of organic matter. Despite their vital role, soils remain largely invisible in public debates and local decision-making, leaving communities unaware of the risks and the urgent need for action.
SOILSCAPE addresses this gap by uniting soil science with social sciences, humanities, and the arts. These disciplines are key to exploring the cultural, emotional, and societal dimensions of our relationship with soil. By transforming scientific evidence into compelling narratives, art, and experiences, the project aims to make soil visible, relatable, and actionable, shifting attitudes and inspiring concrete action.
To achieve this, SOILSCAPE is building a network of over 120 partners in eight countries, engaging more than 320 citizens, professionals, and artists. It will fund 36 innovative art-soil initiatives and create tools like a multilingual soil literacy portal, festivals, and certifications. These efforts are designed to raise awareness, foster community ownership of soil-friendly practices, and integrate sustainable soil management into policies and organizations.
The project’s impact is expected to be significant. By scaling its approaches to 30 regions by 2028 and collaborating with global networks like UNESCO and the Coalition of Action for Soil Health, SOILSCAPE aims to leave a lasting legacy. Its work will not only improve soil literacy but also empower communities and policymakers to prioritize soil health for future generations.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The first 18 months of SOILSCAPE have laid the groundwork for an innovative, arts-driven movement aimed at redefining how Europe understands and values its soils. By bringing together scientists, artists, and communities, the project has begun to weave a “Soil Symphony”—a metaphor for harmonizing diverse voices to celebrate and protect soil health.
To start, the team explored how people across Europe perceive, understand, and interact with soil. Through surveys, interviews, media analysis, and creative mapping, it identified gaps, best practices, and cultural frames around soil stewardship. A thorough review of existing research helped align the project’s vision, while a shared glossary ensured consistent terminology and understanding across all participants.
Building on this foundation, SOILSCAPE is developing a dynamic “starter kit” to inspire the creation of eight “Soil Orchestras” across Europe, from France to Finland. These orchestras combine art, science, and community action to spark new conversations about soil. The project is also pioneering innovative tools, such as an online soil culture portal, a “soil celebration choreography,” a soil health calculator, and interactive soil trails, all designed to make soil science engaging and accessible to everyone.
Communication has been a cornerstone of the project’s early success. Tailored Soil Media Kits for journalists, NGOs, and influencers help spread the message, while an awareness campaign supports an open call for proposals, launched in June 2025, to gather new ideas and collaborations. To ensure lasting impact, SOILSCAPE is developing pathways for change, starting with ethnographic research in France to capture local and traditional knowledge about soils. This work will soon expand to four additional countries, enriching the project’s understanding of soil’s cultural and ecological significance.
In terms of outreach, SOILSCAPE has already made a strong impact with a cohesive visual identity, a new website, and an active presence on six social media platforms. Over 160 cooperation activities have engaged networks such as UNESCO’s, amplifying the project’s reach. Behind the scenes, regular team meetings and ethical oversight have kept the project on track, ensuring alignment with its mission to inspire and inform.
SOILSCAPE is more than a project—it is a growing community that uses creativity and collaboration to place soil at the heart of Europe’s future

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

SOILSCAPE is pioneering a transformative approach to soil literacy by blending art, science, and community engagement to make soils visible, relatable, and actionable. Unlike traditional soil education efforts, the project has developed innovative methodologies that tap into emotions, culture, and collective storytelling to foster deeper connections with soil.
One of its most groundbreaking achievements is the creation of a multidimensional understanding of how people perceive, value, and imagine soil. Through creative workshops, surveys, and interviews, SOILSCAPE has uncovered the cultural and emotional dimensions of soil, revealing not just what people know, but how they feel about it. This insight has directly shaped the project’s communication strategies, ensuring they resonate with diverse audiences.
The project has also launched Soil Orchestras—a first-of-its-kind model that brings together artists, scientists, and local communities to co-create participatory actions for soil advocacy. With eight Orchestras already active and over 150 members involved, this approach democratizes soil stewardship, turning abstract concepts into tangible, community-driven initiatives. These Orchestras prove that soil can be a source of inspiration, collaboration, and cultural pride.
SOILSCAPE’s Soil Media Kits and upcoming festivals are redefining how soil is communicated. By embedding soil in artistic and cultural contexts, the project moves beyond utilitarian narratives, fostering a deeper, more emotional connection to the land. These tools, combined with a strong digital presence and strategic partnerships (e.g. UNESCO, AFES, ICRAF), have already demonstrated global traction, with over 160 cooperation activities in the first 18 months alone.
To ensure lasting impact, SOILSCAPE’s results lay the foundation for a paradigm shift—where soils are recognized not just as resources, but as cultural and ecological keystones. However, to scale this vision, further support is needed in areas such as expanding networks, sustaining momentum, and integrating soil literacy into policy frameworks.

Pictures from the in presence meeting that happened in the 8 Soil Orchestra countries in 2025