In the framework of Horizon Europe, the European Union Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027), the European Commission launched the Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’, aiming to establish 100 Living Labs and Lighthouses to drive the transition to healthy soils by 2030.  

The NATI00NS project’s main aim is to promote the Mission Soil Living Labs topics as part of the 2023-2024 Work Programme of Horizon Europe. NATI00NS is organising national events, providing access to materials and information as well as stimulating discussions on the set-up of Living Labs (LLs) to address specific soil needs in different local and regional contexts. 

NATI00NS partners, the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL) and BioSense Institute, are organising three webinars to further promote the Horizon Europe topics. The webinars contribute to raising the awareness of stakeholders on the specific concept of regional soil health Living Labs, the funding available under the Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’ Living Lab topics as well as the application process.   

The webinars target potential and future applicants, as well as local, regional, and national stakeholders interested in setting up a soil health Living Lab. 

The webinar The Living Lab essentials – how to set up a Living Lab took place on 22 June 2023 10:00 – 11:30 CEST. This first webinar covered all the basic aspects of Living Labs, taking into consideration all land use types and Mission Specific objectives. In particular, speakers explained in detail how to set up a Living Lab, their criteria and essential characteristics as well as how to implement efficient and effective stakeholders’ engagement methodologies and multi-stakeholder partnerships.