Location of activities and scope
Italy and Cyprus, Transnational
Strand 3 – Deploy innovative, creative and participatory methodologies for engaging citizens in soil protection and preservations
Executive Summary
SOIL-XR builds on two Living Lab in Sicily and in Cyprus. Both will serve as hubs for participatory soil monitoring, engaging students, young people, and local communities in the collection and interpretation of physical, chemical, and biological data. The goal is to foster a new generation of “soil enthusiasts” with practical scientific skills and a deep awareness of soil’s ecological and cultural value. In parallel, a virtual Living Lab will be co-created through a participatory process with educators and scientists. This immersive augmented reality (AR) platform will allow users to explore soil cycles, pedogenesis, and the effects of climate and human activity. The result will be an inclusive, non-invasive, and replicable educational solution. The project contributes directly to the Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe” by strengthening soil literacy and promoting citizen engagement. 3 youth main targets are involved, such as secondary students, VET and University students. 3 target specific learning processes will be applied during the living lab and workshop activities. While for the AR co-creation tool also technicians, scientists, and older people will be involved having and not soil related skills, to develop a user-friendly product.
Soil is not merely a substrate, it is the planet’s living membrane. It accumulates memory, supports biodiversity, regulates water, and stores carbon. It is both ecological infrastructure and cultural archive, yet remains invisible in policy, education, and public awareness. When we say “soil”, we evoke a nexus of biological, social and climate systems, vital, but eroded by neglect. Recognising soil means recognising our interdependence: between generations, between landscapes, between rights and responsibilities. For us, soil is not only what lies beneath our feet, but also what holds us together. Investing in soil literacy means reweaving the contract between people and the planet.
