Future Soil Literacy

Soil quality — Apr 13, 2026
Healthy soils play a fundamental role in climate protection. Yet decision-makers as well as the general public still frequently overlook this valuable resource. The project ‘Future Soil Literacy’ uses a variety of methods to provide the knowledge and tools to bridge this awareness gap.

Soils sequester large amounts of carbon, regulate the water cycle, close nutrient cycles and safeguard biodiversity. This makes them not only important for the climate, but also the foundation of our food security and health. Yet their significance is often underestimated outside specialist circles. The complex processes taking place in the soil remain invisible to the majority of people.

This is where the project Future Soil Literacy comes in. It conveys knowledge about soils in an accessible, interactive and creative way. The aim is to raise awareness among decision-makers, public sector staff and citizens about the importance of healthy soils and to motivate them to actively champion their protection and sustainable use.

To achieve this, the project develops creative and participatory learning formats in collaboration with the Italian organisation Stranaidea. Theatre-based educational methods are implemented to illustrate the topic. The in Vorarlberg based associaton Bodenfreiheit  imparts valuable soil knowledge through interactive workshops, excursions and public lectures. This empowers participants to pass on their knowledge within their communities, institutions and networks.

Duration
01/03/2026 – 30/11/2027

Objectives

  • To impart soil knowledge and raise awareness of soils and their sustainable management through creative methods
  •  To motivate people and provide them with the tools to pass on soil knowledge in their professional and/or private lives

Activities

  • Public lectures and excursions to impart soil knowledge
  • Creation of a soil profile as an educational tool
  •  Creation of a ‘sponge city’ profile for teaching and learning purposes
  •  Design of a training module using theatre-based methods to promote and disseminate soil knowledge and awareness
  • Specialist events for staff in public administration


Project partners

  • CIPRA International (project lead)
  •  CIPRA Italy
  • Bodenfreiheit, association for the conservation and protection of soils
  • Stranaidea, a social cooperative specialising in non-formal adult education

Project languages
English and the respective national languages (German, Italian)

Contact
Marion Ebster-Kreuzer, marion.ebster@cipra.org

Funding
Erasmus+


Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.