Another successful edition of the European Mission Soil Week (EMSW) just came to an end!
The EMSW 2025 took place on 5-6 November 2025 at Aarhus University, Denmark. This third edition was organised by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, the Danish Ministry of Green Transition and Aarhus University, under the auspices of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU.
Designed as a major European gathering that brings together the European soil community, this year’s edition focused on investments and business models for soil health, reflecting the urgency to mobilise public and private capital across land-use sectors.
More than 50 speakers were involved, including the Permanent Secretary of State of the Danish Ministry of Green Transition, COPA-COGECA (the Committee of Professional Agricultural Organisations-General Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives), the Novo Nordisk Foundation, Arla Foods, the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking, EIT Food, etc. The audience brought together a diverse community of practice spanning researchers, policymakers, land managers, civil society, farmers, foresters, finance and industry representatives, with participants joining from across Europe.
Participation and reach were strong. The EMSW welcomed about 300 in-person attendees on both days. Online, the event drew approximately 900 viewers watching live across the two days.
The programme of the first day featured high-level speakers from the European Commission and from the private sector, giving an update on the Mission’s progress and on forthcoming actions to unlock investment for soil health.
The second day focused on the role of healthy soils as part of sustainable multifunctional landscapes and highlighted the Danish ‘tripartite agreement’ as an inspirational example for the green transition in agriculture.
The event was an opportunity to hear about the latest updates on EU policies for monitoring and improving soil health, such as the recently adopted Soil Monitoring Law or the next Common Agricultural Policy 2028-2034.
Fifteen Mission-funded projects showcased their advances across circular economy solutions, carbon farming and measurement, biodiversity and ecosystem services, pollution remediation and restoration, soil data and indicators, and awareness and citizen engagement (ARAGORN, Bin2Bean, BIOservicES, CREDIBLE, CURIOSOIL, DeliSoil, ECHO, EDAPHOS, ISLANDR, LOESS, MRV4SOC, MaRViC, SOB4ES, SoilWise, Waste4Soil). The format enabled concise exchanges on methods, findings and next steps, illustrating how research is being translated into practice.
A conference specifically on financing the transition to more competitive and resilient agriculture was announced to take place in second quarter of 2026.
Recognition of community efforts ran throughout. Mission Ambassadors shared experiences that build soil literacy and inspire action, and there was a moment dedicated to recognised new Mission Soil Living Labs and progress towards the Mission’s 2030 objectives. Practical sustainability touches, such as tote bags, seed pencils and wooden pins, complemented the event’s message of stewardship and helped sustain a collaborative atmosphere.
