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On 27 May in Brussels, a meeting of the promoters of seven EU initiatives to identify opportunities and develop operational recommendations for the advancement of the rural bioeconomy. Image: © 2026 BBioNets consortium Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International CC BY-NC 4.0 DeedBBioNets consortium Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International CC BY-NC 4.0 Deed

From local action to European strategy: a Policy Lab for the bioeconomy

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On 27 May in Brussels, a meeting of seven EU-funded initiatives. The aim: to bridge the gap between local experimentation and European policymaking, and to deliver actionable recommendations for the rural bioeconomy
A temporary soybean crop on a rye field in Dallas County, Texas. In the U.S., the area planted with cover crops has exceeded 7 million hectares in recent years, representing a 17% increase in just five years. Photo: NRCS/SWCS, Lynn Betts Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 LicenseNRCS/SWCS, Lynn Betts Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 License

For better soil health, cover crops come out on top

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A U.S. study has examined 50 years of best practices: cover crops ensure more consistent effects, while tillage, rotations and drainage show less uniform impacts across different contexts
Vaste aree della Grande Pianura ungherese sono sempre più soggette a processi di aridificazione. FOTO: GaborLajos via Wikipedia

Thermal waters against desertification: the Hungarian experiment

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In the Central European country, a grassroots project is bringing together citizens and local farmers. The goal: redirect thermal waters to the fields, restoring natural cycles and countering the drying out affecting agricultural land in the Great Plain
When introduced into urban settings, forest soil microbes can help promote people’s well-being by rebalancing the domestic microbiome. Image: Santeri Viinamäki Attribution 4.0 International CC BY 4.0 DeedSanteri Viinamäki Attribution 4.0 International CC BY 4.0 Deed

The forest at home: in Finland, soil microbes improve human health

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A Finnish study shows how introducing forest soil into domestic environments increases the microbial diversity of indoor air, with potential protective effects on the immune system of infants growing up in enclosed spaces
Mangrove swamp in Bahia. These plants cover 1.4 million hectares in Brazil, making it the second-largest mangrove area in the world after Indonesia. Photo: Jonathan Wilkins Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 DeedJonathan Wilkins Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 Deed

A new index measures soil health in mangrove forests

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Brazilian researchers have developed an indicator to measure the ability of mangroves to provide ecosystem services, ranging from biodiversity conservation to carbon sequestration. The greater the soil degradation, the lower the score
Peatlands used for paludiculture are home to about three times as many birds as drained grasslands, reaching levels similar to those of natural wetlands. Photo: Melissa McMasters Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 DeedMelissa McMasters Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

Adapted farming in peatlands is also good for biodiversity

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Peatlands converted to paludiculture support three times as many birds as drained grasslands, with levels similar to those found in natural wetlands, according to a British study
Insect frass is a natural soil amendment that improves soil fertility and is attracting increasing interest in agriculture. Photo: Angal insect Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International CC BY-SA 4.0 DeedAngal insect Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International CC BY-SA 4.0 Deed

Insect frass improves soil health and protect crops

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An American study shows how insect frass can increase nutrient efficiency and reduce pest damage in crops, contributing to a more sustainable, circular agriculture
The ECHO project initiative, which is also coordinated by Re Soil Foundation, invites schools and citizens to raise awareness about the importance of soil through creative, scientific, and educational projectsECHO

The ECHO Soil Challenge aims to raise awareness about the value of soil

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Launched by the ECHO project and coordinated by the Re Soil Foundation, this initiative invites schools and citizens to promote the importance of soil as a resource through creative, scientific, and educational projects. Applications are open until November 9 this year
Actions that have a significant impact on the soil, such as deforestation, intensive agriculture, urbanization, and habitat fragmentation, stimulate the spread of zoonotic diseases, transmitted in particular by rodents, bats, and mosquitoes. Photo: Pexels free to use CC0Photo: Pexels free to use CC0

Land use change poses a risk to human health

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Actions that impact the soil, such as deforestation, intensive agriculture, urbanization, and habitat fragmentation, stimulate the spread of diseases transmitted by rodents, bats, and mosquitoes, according to a study by Stirling University
Announced in February this year, the SOUL bioproducts project brings together 16 partners from five EU countries, including Spain's Fundación AITIIP (coordinator of the initiative) and Italy's Novamont, Re Soil Foundation, and Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna. In the photo: SOUL experts at the kick-off meeting. Image: SOULSOUL

SOUL project gets started, five EU countries will test new bio-based products

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The initiative brings together 16 partners for the development and field testing of new-generation products designed to biodegrade in the soil at the end of their life cycle, thus minimizing their environmental impact

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It’s beneath our feet but we never think about its value. We tread on it, we mistreat it, but a healthy, fertile soil means life. It’s time to take care of the soil and each one of us can and must make a difference.

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