From Cumiana to Este: building soil awareness to secure a sustainable future

Two events, hundreds of children and young people involved, and a shared goal: raising awareness of the value of soil. From school activities to European projects, Re Soil places education at the centre

by Matteo Cavallito

Promoting sustainable solutions in agriculture, strengthening understanding of the central role of soil in climate mitigation, and sharing best practices in the field of the circular economy are the main goals behind the training and awareness-raising activities that have engaged Re Soil in recent weeks.

Stretching from the countryside of Piedmont to the plains of Veneto at the foot of the Euganean Hills, the programme saw the Foundation take part in several events, presenting its projects and activities. At the same time, it reached a wide audience of very young students, who were introduced in a hands-on and engaging way to the basics of responsible soil management and sustainable use of natural resources.

At Cascina Felizia, soil becomes a hands-on experience

One of the most significant events was the third edition of the Giornata di Educazione Ambientale (Environmental Education Day) hosted by Cascina Felizia, part of Re Soil’s Lighthouse Farms network. Held in Cumiana, in the province of Turin, on 25 May, the event brought together around 450 children from several local schools, with the aim of bringing them closer to nature through practical activities and workshops. Topics included biodiversity, ecosystem protection, and the prevention of environmental degradation.

On this occasion, Re Soil set up a dedicated stand focused on soil health, offering educational activities designed to illustrate the key role of soil in food production and climate regulation. The event also provided an opportunity to present two projects of particular relevance for the future of sustainable soil management: ECHO and PieSOIL.

ECHO and PieSOIL: research and innovation for soil health

Coordinated by the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano and funded under the Horizon Europe programme, ECHO (Engaging Citizens in Soil Science: the Road to Healthier Soils) is one of Europe’s leading initiatives in the field of soil health. The project seeks to raise awareness and deepen understanding among European citizens of the importance of protecting soil. The programme, supported by Re Soil through its work in communication, training, outreach and environmental education, is grounded in the principles of citizen science, directly involving citizens in data collection and soil health monitoring.

Re Soil is also actively involved in the PieSOIL project, an Operational Group for Soil Health in Piedmont. Building on the experience of several farms in the Turin metropolitan area, which face daily challenges such as loss of organic matter, soil degradation, climate change impacts and declining biodiversity, the initiative aims to test and promote innovative practices capable of improving soil fertility and enhancing the sustainability of agricultural production. The project also includes environmental and economic assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of the solutions adopted and to develop recommendations for a farming model that is more resource-efficient, resilient and circular.

In Este, a dialogue between soil and the circular economy

At the end of May, Re Soil also took part in the final event of the “Soil” project, promoted by S.E.S.A. Academy and hosted at the Teatro Farinelli in Este (Padua). Over the past few months, the initiative has engaged hundreds of high school students from the area in an educational programme dedicated to understanding and protecting soil through workshops, hands-on activities and creative projects. One of the most significant aspects of the project was its connection with the circular economy: activities such as the separate collection of organic waste and composting, the organisers note, help improve soil health “by returning organic matter and generating environmental value through a virtuous cycle.”

During the event, the Foundation took part in the proceedings, presenting its activities and contributing to the awards ceremony for the best awareness-raising campaigns developed by students.

Educating more aware citizens

The Este event, like the one in Cumiana, reflects a common thread: the central role of education as a key tool for addressing current and future environmental challenges. In both cases, young people were placed at the centre—not as passive observers, but as active participants.

Initiatives of this kind turn complex topics into concrete, accessible experiences that engage students, helping them move from passive spectators to active participants in their own learning journey. By promoting a culture of soil health, Re Soil also advances its broader outreach mission, contributing to the development of a more informed, responsible and environmentally conscious citizenship.