Did you know ?
In a world, where soil degradation became a priority concern, hundreds of soil scientists raised the alarm. Yet widespread gaps in societal awareness and education on the importance of soils for humans and the ecosystems slowed progress toward sustainable soil management. From this challenge, a transformative story began to unfold – a collaborative journey to increase soil literacy and care for our ecosystems.
19
Pioneers
The SOILSCAPE consortium unites 19 partners, harmonizing their expertise across sectors in a collaborative symphony
The SOILSCAPE story began with 19 pioneers, like musicians tuning their instruments, united by a shared goal – to raise soil awareness, boost soil literacy and promote soil preservation across Europe and beyond. Together, they formed a dynamic ensemble of eight Soil Orchestras and Community Working Bands, each playing its part in harmonizing science, art and society. Each Soil Orchestra highlights the essential connection between soil, science, art and community, inspiring hundreds of arts-based initiatives. Together, this Symphony tackles the challenge of shifting societal perceptions, engaging artists, citizens, soil experts and institutions through innovative communication campaigns, participatory art-science activities, cultural initiatives and creative, science-driven soil projects.
8 Soil Orchestras
The heart of SOILSCAPE lies in its network of eight Soil Orchestras, spanning between Bulgaria, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Portugal and Switzerland. Each Soil Orchestra serves as a hub for artistic expression, scientific collaboration and public engagement, making soil literacy a vibrant part of our cultural landscape.
French Orchestra
Orchestra conductor: Association Française pour l’Etude du Sol
email: megane.roncier@afes.fr
contact person: Mégane Roncier
Portuguese Orchestra
Orchestra conductor: Fundação de Serralves
Swiss Orchestra
Orchestra conductor: Forschungsinstitut für Biologischen Landbau Stiftung
email: bernadette.oehen@fibl.org
contact person: Bernadette Oehen
email: robert.home@fibl.org
contact person: Robert Home
Polish Orchestra
Orchestra conductor: European Rural Development Network
email: katarzyna.gizinska@erdn.eu
phone: +48 607 255 888
contact person: Katarzyna Gizińska
Italian Orchestra
Orchestra conductor: CLUST-ER Industrie Culturali E Creative
email: comunicazione@create.clust-er.it
phone: +39 051 6398099
contact person: Giulia Grassini (giulia.grassini@create.clust.er.it), Massimo Garuti (massimo.garuti@create.clust-er.it)
Finnish Orchestra
Orchestra conductor: LUT University
email: helina.melkas@lut.fi
phone: +358 40 5881400
contact person: Helinä Melkas
German Orchestra
Orchestra conductor: Deutsche Bodenkundliche Gesellschaft
email: nikola.patzel@dbges.de
phone: +49-7551-944-776
contact person: Dr. Nikola Patzel (m)
Bulgarian Orchestra
Orchestra conductor: Cleantech Bulgaria
email: veliana@cleantech.bg
phone: +359 2 426 27 59
Open calls
SOILSCAPE provides platform for artists to bring their unique creative approaches to raise awareness about soil health and preservation. Through artistic expressions such as visual art, performance, storytelling, sound or interactive installations, artists can reveal the beauty and importance of soils. By tapping into the emotions of human experience, creative work can deepen public understanding and spark meaningful engagement with soil conservation issues. This approach encourages communities to see soil not just as a resource but as a living, breathing part of our ecosystems that require care and protection.
The SOILSCAPE Open Calls were launched in June 2025. 36 selected projects are being implemented from March 2026 until August 2027, bringing together artists, soil professionals and communities across Europe to explore soil through art, science and citizen engagement.
News
Stay tuned for the latest news, events and updates from SOILSCAPE! Here, we will showcase exciting project milestones, upcoming Soil festivals and ways for you to get involved.
Project partners
