On March 27, 2025, the Polytechnic University of Valencia hosted a special event in celebration of World Soil Day, co-organized by the ECOLOOP-UPV team and the bioSOILUTIONS project. The event, titled “The Importance of Soil Care: How Can We Improve It?”, brought together students, researchers, and professionals to raise awareness about the vital role soil health plays in environmental sustainability and food security.
The day featured a presentation on the ECOLOOP project, highlighting the Living Lab activities being carried out in Valencia. These Living Labs aim to demonstrate how innovative bioenergy and circular economy solutions can contribute to both soil health and decarbonization in rural areas.
In addition to the presentations, attendees took part in a variety of hands-on demonstrations designed to explore the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil. These activities helped participants better understand the processes that support soil vitality and agricultural productivity.
One of the highlights of the event was a session on the role of mycorrhizae in promoting soil biodiversity and long-term sustainability. The session sparked engaging discussion during an open debate, followed by a networking lunch aimed at fostering collaboration between soil health projects and research communities.
Key Takeaways:
- Healthy soil is fundamental to life and food production.
- There is growing recognition at the European level of the need to protect this critical resource.
- Projects like ECOLOOP and bioSOILUTIONS are actively working through Living Labs to test and scale innovative approaches to soil preservation.
The event successfully showcased how collaborative, science-based efforts are paving the way for a healthier, more resilient future for Europe’s soils.
