LOESS is an EU project aimed at increasing public interest and knowledge about the importance of soil health. Public & Science) Sweden will be coordinating the development and testing of innovative educational materials aimed at school pupils, students and the general public, through dialogue and co-creation with a wide range of stakeholders. The three-year project runs between 1 June 2023 – 31 May 2026.
The LOESS project “Literacy boost through and Operational Educational Ecosystem of Societal actors on Soil health” is being carried out by 20 partner organisations in 15 European countries. It is funded by the European Commission under the EU Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’, which aims to lead the transition towards healthy soils by 2030.
Healthy soils provide us with many essential ecosystem services. Soil filters and absorbs water, which reduces the risk of flooding and drought. It also produces food, biomass and sequesters large amounts of carbon. Through its ability to both act as a carbon sink and absorb water, soil plays a crucial role in regulating the climate.
However, today’s industrial agricultural methods have led to major problems, including erosion, drought, retention and reduced soil productivity. Monoculture, decreased soil organic matter and over intensive farming pose a serious threat to biodiversity. To reverse this trend, increased awareness of the importance of soil health is required i.e. having soils in good chemical, biological and physical balance.
LOESS project activities
- Mapping of existing soil-related materials and educational programmes and identification of educational needs.
- Engagement and connection of relevant stakeholders in Communities of Practice in participating countries.
- Co-creation and piloting of courses, modules, materials and learning tools for soil education.
- Hands-on activities related to soil education through Community Engaged Research and Learning, augmented reality and crowd mapping.
- The development of a European Atlas of soil education and training.
- Campaigns and dissemination activities aimed at schools, universities and members of the public.
Public & Science Sweden is leading the establishment of the Communities of Practices, the development and testing of educational materials and courses, as well as campaigns aimed at the general public.
Project Partners
- Wissenschaftsladen Bonn e.V, Germany (Coordinator)
- European Schoolnet (EUN), Brussels
- University of Innsbruck, Austria,
- University of Sassari, Italy
- Justinmind, Spain,
- Technological University Dublin, Ireland,
- University of St. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava, Slovakia,
- Wageningen University, the Netherlands,
- Centre for the Promotion of Science, Serbia,
- Social Innovation Institute, Lithuania,
- Adam Mickiewicz University, Poland
- Controvento social cooperative society NPO, Italy
- Catalan Association of Public Universities (ACUP) Spain
- ANS Educational Consultancy Ltd, Turkey
- University of Brescia, Italy
- University of Vechta, Germany
- Apopsi, Greece
- Vetenskap & Allmänhet, Sweden
Associated Partners
If you are interested in finding out more about the project and joining the Swedish Community of Practice, please get in touch with Maria Jacobson at Public & Science Sweden.
Further information
Read more about the project at https://loess-project.eu/
Follow the LOESS project at LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and on FlickR.
The LOESS project is financed by the EU’s research and innovation programme Horizon Europe GA No. 101112707
Read the latest from the project
Discover the LOESS Soil Atlas – a toolbox for soil education across Europe
Healthy soils are essential for food production, clean water, biodiversity and climate regulation. Yet across Europe, soils are under increasing pressure. Improving soil literacy – understanding how soils function and… Läs mer
Teeming with life: LOESS brings the hidden world of soil to light during Swedish Researchers’ Night
Just like the soil it celebrates, the EU project LOESS is teeming with life as it enters its third and final year. The scent of compost, the intricate networks of… Läs mer
LOESS International Online Summer Camp: Students share visions for Europe’s soils
From Germany to Türkiye, Italy to Serbia, students who had spent their summer digging into soils in their home countries came together on 24 September 2025 – this time online… Läs mer
Skapad:
2025-10-06Uppdaterad:
2025-10-06Kategorier:
Activity summaries, EU-projekt, Jordhälsa, LOESS, Nyheter, ReferatBringing Soil to Life at Frihamnsdagarna in Gothenburg
On 29 August, Public & Science Sweden organised its first campaign activity on soil health as part of the EU LOESS project. The event took place during Frihamnsdagarna in Gothenburg,… Läs mer
Skapad:
2025-09-16Uppdaterad:
2025-09-17Kategorier:
Activity summaries, EU-projekt, Jordhälsa, LOESS
