LILAS4SOILS will engage with a wide range of agriculture stakeholders to co-createm, implement and vaklidate results of Carbon Farming Practices in real life settings, contributing to ensure their uptake and large-scale impacts.
Establish five Living Labs (LL) in Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Greece, and Israel following the European Networks of Living Labs guidelines and lessons from previous projects such as NATI00NS, PREPSOIL and SOILL. The LLs will enable the co-creation, implementation and measurement of Carbon Farming Practices in 100 demo-sites across a variety of agricultural land uses and pedo-climatic regions. The LLs use a participatory approach, engaging stakeholders from the Quintuple Helix of Innovation.
QHI is a multi-actor approach which includes researchers, farmers (landowners/managers), and representatives of the agri-food industry, regional administrations and civil society. This collaborative effort ensures that the developed CFP are tailored to local needs and conditions, promoting wider adoption and long-term sustainability.
In each Living Lab, conduct participatory and transdisciplinary research and innovation (R&I) activities through co-creation workshops to find practical solutions for implementing Carbon Farming practices (CFPs). start by identifying soil challenges that we will adapt and validate with farmers. We will consider regional drivers and pressures when identifying and analysing macro-environmental barriers and opportunities, as well as technical, economic, or social limitations for carbon farming adoption.
The project will regularly discuss progress at demo sites with LL stakeholders and develop joint solutions to any issues. During the workshops, we will also assess challenges to scaling up carbon farming in the participating countries.
Transform Mediterranean farming by implementing 19 innovative Carbon Farming Practices across 85-100 demo sites, including both conventional and organic systems. 50 sites have already been identified and more will be added via an Open Call during the first year of the project. Lighthouses will be selected as key demonstration sites, serving as training centres and showcasing the viability of these practices for soil health improvement. Contribute to creating a vibrant network of LL thanks to regular interaction within and between LLs to compare and share experiences.
The demo-sites with highest performances in terms of soil health improvement will be pointed out as Lighthouses and will act as a demonstrator of the viability of the CFPs applied for training activities, facilitating and encouraging farmers’ uptake.
Establish carbon farming baselines at demo sites and its own sampling protocol building on established protocols and the results from related projects like MRV4SOC, MARVIC, and AI4SOILHEALTH. LILAS4SOILS methodology will take into account accuracy as well as cost and complexity of soil health measurements.
The project will assess changes in soil organic carbon, water capacity, and environmental co-benefits over time. Innovative soil monitoring technologies will be selected through an Open call and tested to assess their potential to overcome conventional limitations. Modelling will simulate carbon sequestration potential and soil emissions. LILAS4SOILS will model carbon sequestration dynamics, NH4 and N2O soil emissions, and NO3 leaching. All data will be shared with the European Union Soil Observatory, ensuring open access and sustainability of project results.
Test and implement Carbon Farming Practices with farmers active involvement from the start. Easy-to-understand materials, workshops, and demonstrations will facilitate adoption.
LILAS4SOILS will also develop accessible resources like practice abstracts, guidelines, and video tutorials to support farmers and landowners. Knowledge transfer activities, including workshops and demonstrations at lighthouse sites, will promote CFP adoption.
The project will evaluate the potential for replicating successful practices in other EU regions. Stakeholder input, including farmers and political authorities, will inform policy recommendations presented in dedicated workshops. LILAS4SOILS will collaborate with various EU initiatives and networks to maximize impact and knowledge sharing.
Carbon farming practices will be tested and implemented with farmers' active involvement from the start. Easy-to-understand materials, workshops, and demonstrations will facilitate adoption.
LILAS4SOILS will also develop accessible resources like practice abstracts, guidelines, and video tutorials to support farmers and landowners. Knowledge transfer activities, including workshops and demonstrations at lighthouse sites, will promote CFP adoption.
The project will evaluate the potential for replicating successful practices in other EU regions. Stakeholder input, including farmers and political authorities, will inform policy recommendations presented in dedicated workshops. LILAS4SOILS will collaborate with various EU initiatives and networks to maximize impact and knowledge sharing.
Ensuring the sustainable project implementation in line with the timetable, resources, objectives and success indicators. The LILAS4SOILS consortium will proactively monitor, mitigate and manage potential risks, implement measures to ensure compliance with data and ethics requirements and promote a culture of sustainability in the day-to day running of the project.
European hub driving agri-food innovation through multi-stakeholder ecosystems. EIT Food is a Knowledge Innovation Community (KIC) of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), financed under Horizon Europe. As the world’s largest and most dynamic food innovation community, EIT Food is building a future-fit food system that produces healthy and sustainable food for all. EIT Food brings all players together (industries, startups, universities and research centres) to guide and accelerate the innovation process that will transform the food system.
Project coordinator and Leader of WP3 on the Coimplementation and macro-analysis of Carbon Farming Practices (CFPs) and WP8 on Sustainable Project Management and Coordination.
Regional research and technology organisation (RTO) working in close connections with farmers, end-users and other agri-food stakeholders to promote innovation and technological development in the agricultural sector and processing industries. It is involved in research and development, quality certification, and infrastructure development initiatives.
Co-leader of the Iberian Living Lab.
Non-profit organization dedicated to innovative and sustainable food production, working with a broad network of agri-food stakeholders in Portugal, including policymakers, eager to establish partnerships, disseminate knowledge, and drive the implementation of policies based on local farmers’ needs.
Co-leader of the Iberian Living Lab.
Non-profit innovation cluster of innovation for ecology smart agrifood chains. Agri Sud-Ouest Innovation brings together most of the economic, political, research and training players in the South-West’s agriculture and agri-food sector.
Leader of the Southern France Living Lab.
University with more than 20 years of experience in EU projects, coordination of a robust platform of farmers, researchers, and other stakeholders committed to carbon farming, and soil physico-chemical and biological analyses.
Leader of Soil Health & Regenerative Agriculture (SHARE) Innovation Lab (in Italy) and Leader of WP2 on Co-development of Carbon Farming Practices (CFPs) and cross-fertilisation between Living Labs
University of agricultural sciences with extensive experience in EU projects with a focus on monitoring systems for GHG emissions and climate variables in crops.
Leader of Greek Living Lab and Leader of WP5 on Knowledge Transfer and Cooperation outside The Living Lab
Local authority of the Upper Galilee region with close relationships with farmers in the area, and capabilities for decision-making and public engagement. Supporting regulations, policies and environmental planning.
Leader of the Upper and West Galilee Living Lab and Leader of the WP1 on Co-design of Carbon Farming Living Labs structure and participatory approach
NEIKER is a public research company with strong expertise in edaphology and soil health, as well as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of agricultural activities. NEIKER also participates in ongoing EU-projects on soil health monitoring (AI4SOILHEALTH) and carbon farming (LIFE CARBON FARMING).
Transversal partner and Leader of WP4 on Monitoring Carbon Sequestration and Impact Assessment of Living Labs
Spin-off of the Università degli Studi di Milano with a well-rounded expertise on monitoring and modelling of CFSs and crop variables, performing calculations using software services based on ARMOSA model. The team of CarbonChange is composed of experienced agronomists, soil scientists and software engineers and developers.
Transversal partner leading the modelling of future trends of carbon sequestrations under WP4
BGI is a world-class and venture builder, equipping innovators from all over the world with the right knowledge, tools and networks to succeed, creating a more sustainable and innovative world for all. Agrifood is a leading vertical for BGI, and Ecosystem building and stakeholders engagement a core area of work for our teams
Transversal partner and Leader of WP7 on Communication, dissemination and stakeholder monitoring
SME with expertise on targeted business models with a certified carbon certificate programme and expertise on MRV techniques relevant for certification processes. Ability to provide insurance to farmers, trade of carbon sequestration certificates, and consultancy for land investors.
Transversal partner and Leader of WP6 on Exploitation of CFPs and long-term sustainability of Living Labs
Global leading company in the dairy and food industry with a broad network of farmers across the EU and strong connections to agri-food stakeholders. Capacity to test solutions and business models, and to develop a practical use case with integration to the value chain.
Farmers connection for the Southern France Living Lab and Leader of a commercial case study and market analysis under WP6
Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) giving scientific support for agri-food policies in Spain. It coordinates the overall Spanish participation in European Join Program on Soil (EJP SOIL) focused on climate-smart sustainable management of agricultural soils, and technical coordinator of the national programme for the impact assessment of CAP National Strategic Plan.
Transversal partner leading the cross-fertilisation activities between LILAS4SOILS Living Labs (WP2) and with other EU initiatives (WP5)
Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) involved in scientific research to promote effective agri-food policies, with connection to national and regional authorities, high experience in agricultural soil monitoring and currently participating in EU projects also related to soil carbon sequestration.
Academia and research connection in the Iberian Living Lab and leading on the identification of macro-environmental barriers and opportunities for implementation of carbon farming practical solutions under WP2
Research and educational organisation linking industry and academia, able to design and test CFPs and develop trainings to disseminate knowledge across Living Labs. Demo-sites provider, with available remote sensing equipment for crops and soils, analytical labs, sensors and other monitoring systems for GHG emissions.
Academia and research connection in the Greek Living Lab, leading on the macro-analysis of the implemented CFPs under WP3
Association of Agri-Food Cooperatives acting as representative body of the agricultural sector in the region, giving technical advice, advocating for the interests of the more than 190 associated cooperatives and organising regional events and projects.
Farmers connection for the Iberian Living Lab
SME specialized in regenerative agriculture with consultancy and expertise in research & development activities to train and support the development of skills and empowerment of farmers, technicians, and managers.
Farmers connection for Southern France Living Lab and leading the identification of Lighthouses for demonstration activities under WP3
Agricultural organization gathering and representing farming companies, protecting farmers and businesses at a national and regional level, offering consultations between social partners and the Government.
Farmers connection for the Soil Health & Regenerative Agriculture (SHARE) Innovation Lab.
National association of agricultural cooperatives in Greece, promoting collaboration and knowledge transfer among members and abroad, and ensuring the application of internationally standardized methods for quality assurance (ISO).
Farmers connection for the Greek Living Lab.
Israel largest agricultural cooperative with over 3800 ha of diverse crops and livestock, with strong research activity in the field of soil microbiome, impact of agricultural practices on crops and transfer of agricultural products to markets.
Farmers connection for the Upper and West Galilee Living Lab
Agricultural public responsible for carrying out technical and promotional activities for the development and innovation of the agricultural and forestry sectors. It is responsible for the regional soil information system and participant in EU, national, regional projects.
Regional authority partner for Soil Health & Regenerative Agriculture (SHARE) Innovation Lab and leader of the evaluation of lessons learnt and business model development under WP6.
Public authority with close relationships with farmers and capacity for decision-making. Authorized Regional Advisor for Innovation, New Technologies and Digital Governance. Deputy Governor for Agriculture & Rural Development.
Regional authority partner for the Greek Living Lab
Local authority of the Upper Galilee region with close relationship with farmers in the area, and capabilities for decision-making and public engagement. Supporting regulations, policies and environmental planning.
Regional authority for the Upper and West Galilee Living Lab
Not-for-profit organization focused on conservation agriculture, bringing together 19 national associations of farmers to promote the adoption of best practices through training and technical workshops
Transversal partner leading the policy advocacy and uptake of CFPs under WP5
