The EU's "A Soil Deal for Europe" mission aims to establish 100 Living Labs and Lighthouses by 2030, promoting sustainable land and soil management. This ambitious goal needs a societal shift towards greater soil literacy. Achieving this requires comprehensive education and targeted training to inform and engage citizens, policymakers, and stakeholders.

To this end, the Soil Literacy Think Tank led by ICLEI and co-led by LEITAT is thrilled to announce the publication of a scoping document on soil literacy. This pivotal work emphasises the need for awareness and education about soils, which are often undervalued despite being vital to environmental and planetary health.

Soil literacy involves recognising the critical role soils play in our environment, food systems, and overall planetary health. The paper underscores the urgent need to enhance public understanding and appreciation of soils to drive sustainable and circular bioeconomies.

Key insights from the scoping document include:

1. Connecting Soil Literacy to Personal Values and Local Concerns: Effective soil literacy initiatives must resonate with people's values and local issues. By linking soil health to physical and mental well-being, beautiful landscapes, and high-quality food, we can make the importance of soil tangible and relevant to everyone.
2. Educational Integration and Behavioural Change: Embedding soil health in educational curricula is crucial for fostering behavioural changes towards sustainable practices. This involves both general education for the public and specialised training for those directly managing soils.
3. Understanding Attitudes, Behaviours, and Competencies (ABCs): To promote soil health, it is essential to comprehend the attitudes, behaviours, and competencies that impact soil interactions. This understanding can guide policy responses and educational efforts, ensuring they are effective and targeted.

In 2023, ICLEI and LEITAT initiated Soil Literacy Think Tank comprising diverse stakeholders, including soil researchers, social scientists, and communications experts. This dynamic group is tasked with identifying research and innovation knowledge gaps to produce a roadmap for the European Commission about the mission objective soil literacy. During 2024, our efforts will focus on expanding the list of knowledge gaps, including potential bottlenecks and actions to address them. This work is being undertaken as part of the Soils for Europe (SOLO) project.

If you are an expert in soil science, education, policy, or related fields, ICLIE invites you to join the SOLO project Think Tank. Your insights and expertise are invaluable as we strive to enhance soil literacy and promote sustainable land and soil management practices. Contact Roger Roca Vallejo to learn more. Read the scoping document on soil literacy here.

Together, let's build a future where soils are valued and protected for the benefit of all.