How it started
The foundations of SOIL:OurInvisibleAlly were laid during a previous Interreg project, Links4Soils (2016-2020), which set out to 1) collect knowledge about Alpine soils and their management, 2) build a network of scientists and practitioners working with Alpine soils and 3) generate information to help decision-makers in the region.
Where it’s going
SOIL:OurInvisibleAlly is a 3-year project (2024-2027) embedded within the Alpine Space Program of the European Union’s Interreg initiative. It can be considered a sequel to Links4Soils as it builds on the insights and outputs of the latter. However, SOIL:OurInvisibleAlly wishes to go further by adding a new medium to its communication strategy. Through the introduction and promotion of artistic and cultural interpretations of soil, the project would like to reach beyond scientific audiences to also include the wider public that is yet to discover the relevance of soils for climate change mitigation and both human and planetary health.
Intervention logic
Work package I
Collect and synthesize relevant scientific information, practical knowledge and learnings from best practice examples
Work package II
Showcase sustainable soil management practices through on-site case studies that fit the local context of project partners
Work Package III
Involve and train multipliers* to build the foundation for knowledge transfer beyond the project’s official duration
Expected outcomes
SNOWBALL-EFFECT
The “train the trainers” approach triggers a snowball effect, whereby knowledge about sustainable soil management is passed on to an ever wider audience beyond the project’s original audience and beyond its funding period.
PARADIGM SHIFT
The transnational dissemination of knowledge and the simultaneous involvement of different multipliers (e.g., decision-makers, educators, forestry and farmers’ associations, etc.) will lead to a long-term paradigm shift that will make sustainable soil management the “new normal”.
Project Partners
1. Slovenian Forestry Institute (Lead Partner)
SFI is a public research institute of national importance, which conducts basic and applied research on forests and forest landscapes, forest ecosystems, wildlife ecology, hunting, forest management, and other uses of the resources and services forests provide. The scientific knowledge from these fields helps further the research on forest biodiversity and its management in relation to climate change.
Contact person: Primož Simončič
Website: https://www.gozdis.si/en/
2. Art and Nature Foundation (Co-Lead)
SKN works as an interdisciplinary platform combining art & culture, sensory experience, research, communication as well as outreach activities towards society and today’s and tomorrow’s decision makers. Its premises serve as a living lab for designing climate resilient landscapes.
Contact person: Sinan von Stietencron & Réka Rozsnyói
Website: https://kunst-und-natur.de
3. Agriculture Institute of Slovenia
KIS is Slovenia’s leading national research institute on agriculture. It is involved in the SOIL:OurInvisibleAlly project through its Department of Agricultural Ecology and Natural Resources (DAENR), which is responsible for soil quality monitoring in Slovenia and the collection, harmonization and evaluation of soil data. Additional focus topics include soil informatics as well as pest, disease and sustainable weed control in agro-ecosystems.
Contact person: Eva Zagorac
Website: https://www.kis.si/en/
4. Salzburg Institute for Regional Planning and Housing
SIR is supporting all 119 Salzburg municipalities in the fields of spatial planning, community development, energy efficiency & supply, climate & environmental protection, nature conservation, municipal buildings, municipal & regional infrastructure and housing & mobility, thus guaranteeing long-term use of outputs. SIR is member of AlpPlan Network & EUSALP AG7.
Contact person: ?
Website: www.sir.at
5. Climate Alliance Tyrol
The Climate Alliance supports municipalities, businesses and schools in developing and implementing local climate protection and adaptation measures. It serves as a bridge to bring lessons learnt and do-how of effective climate action to change-makers within local organizations.
Contact person: Julius Hecher
Website: https://tirol.klimabuendnis.at/
6. National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment
The INRAE Grenoble regional centre, Laboratory Ecosystems and Society in Mountains Research Unit (LESSEM) focuses on applied research for concrete solutions to aid decision makers, support EU, state and communal public policies and lead to action. It is one of the French actors of following the three-pronged approach science – decision – action.
Contact person: ?
Website: https://www.inrae.fr/en/about-us
7. University of Turin
The Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (DISAFA) is one of the 27 departments of the University of Torino, with about 200 permanent and ca. 110 non permanent-staff persons. Current research (basic and applied) encompasses biological, ecological, technological, and management aspects of agricultural and forest systems, as well as food sciences. DISAFA has a wide array of laboratories & technical facilities. DISAFA has expertise in soil science, soil ecosystem services, sustainable soil management, capacity building, and soil awareness raising.
Contact person: Silvia Stanchi
Website: https://en.unito.it/
8. County Administration of Landsberg am Lech
As the central central administrative authority for the Landsberg am Lech district, the County Administration is responsible for various public services and governance tasks including public safety, building permits, health services, environmental protection, social welfare, and youth support.
Contact person: Nikolaus Storz
9. Autonomous Region of Aosta Valley
The regions Department of Planning, Water Resources and Land has expertise in the fields of soil, geology, water resources and hydrogeological risks. It is in charge of the coordination of the regional observatory of soil consumption (land take) and is actively involved in the Soil Protection Working Group.
Contact person: Evelyne Navillod & Samantha De Bianchi
10. Consulting for Naturland (Association for Organic Agriculture)
Consulting for Naturland works primarily on advising organic farmers and those who wish to convert to organic agriculture. The organization also conducts applied research to build background knowledge on sustainable crop & livestock production and organizes knowledge dissemination events such as farm & field visits, seminars and workshops.
Contact person: Dr. Bettina Fähnrich
Website: https://www.naturland.de/de/erzeuger/praxisforschung/soil.html
11. Slovenia Forest Institute
12. Orobie Valtellinesi Parc
The Orobie Valtellinesi Park is a regional protected area spanning 44,000 hectares. Its focus topics include environmental protection, the enhancement and preservation of natural, historical, and cultural resources as well as environmental education and outreach.
Contact person: Magali Corti
Website: https://www.parcorobievalt.com/