EU global footprint on soils

The main goal of this opportunity is to advance the Mission "A Soil Deal for Europe" by reducing the global impact of EU consumption on soils, especially outside the EU. It aims to improve access to knowledge and data about how EU demand for bio-based products affects soil health in other countries. The opportunity also seeks to raise awareness among businesses, stakeholders, and citizens about these global impacts, and to promote innovative solutions that can be replicated to reduce harm. Focus areas include developing a solid framework to measure the EU's global soil footprint, exploring the broader impacts of better production systems, and encouraging international cooperation to address soil health challenges. Particular attention is given to working with partners in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa, and to collaborating with international organizations.

• Develop a robust framework or tool to quantify the EU’s global soil footprint through its demand and imports of bio-based products (e.g. food, feed, fibre, wood, biomass).

• Establish a baseline and tracking system to monitor EU-driven impacts on soils in non-EU regions.

• Analyze the social, economic, and environmental consequences of EU demand on global soil health—including sustainable production systems internationally.

• Promote scalable practices and management strategies that reduce negative global soil impacts, with uptake pathways at policy and business levels.

Example Projects:

• A partnership between EU and African researchers to study how EU imports of soybeans affect soil health in Africa.
• A project that develops new guidelines for European companies to reduce their soil footprint when sourcing bio-based products from Latin America.
• A collaborative initiative with international organizations to create a global database on soil health impacts linked to EU consumption.

• Personnel costs
• Subcontracting
• Travel and subsistence
• Equipment (depreciation or rental)
• Consumables and materials
• Dissemination and communication
• Access to research infrastructure
• IPR and certification
• Audit costs
• Indirect costs (25% flat rate)
• Internally invoiced services

• Budget for this Call: 6.000.000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 1

• The proposal must respect page limits and formatting rules.
• Applicants must be from eligible countries, with special rules for some non-EU/non-Associated Countries.
• Applicants must demonstrate financial and operational capability to deliver the project.
• Projects must be submitted through the official system and follow all submission instructions.
• Proposals are evaluated based on set criteria and thresholds.
• Legal and financial arrangements must be established as required.
• Collaboration with international partners and organizations is encouraged, especially with those from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa.