PSOILICY’s main aim is to strengthen the connection between soil sciences and policy by operationalising and upscaling soil-health (SH) science-policy interfaces, supporting the establishment of SH national hubs, and developing innovative tools that translate soil knowledge into actionable, evidence-based and context-relevant policies and practices. As a basis for action, PSOILICY will use systematic evaluation, stocktaking, strategic coordination, and capacity building to understand stakeholder needs and ensure that existing soil science-to-policy mechanisms are harmonised and strengthened. The PSOILICY methodology will be rolled out in three main phases:

(1) FOUNDATIONAL focusing on building common ground and solid foundations through a co-design approach;

(2) PROTOTYPING focusing on developing the initial co-design of a SH Knowledge Exchange Network, a SH Policy Guidance Platform, the options for SH Science Service and establishing a network of SH national hubs;

(3) CONSOLIDATION focusing on up-scaling and testing the concepts and consolidating the outcomes for sustainability planning.

The project is reinforced by the following assets:

i) it is embedded in an integrative, multi-scale, participatory, Soil nexus approach;

ii) it bridges complementary research and practice communities and approaches to build a systemic, constructive, multi-actor approach to both soil policies and SPI, from design to implementation;

iii) it builds on existing dynamics (e.g. Soil Mission projects, EU-wide soil hub/mirror groups).

PSOILICY will equip the European Commission, Member States, policy makers, and stakeholders with the means to turn the Soil Monitoring Law’s requirements into actionable decisions. In doing so, the project will directly contribute to putting the necessary knowledge, tools, and governance structures firmly in place, thereby playing a key enabling role in accelerating progress towards the EU’s SH targets – such as 75 % healthy or improving soils by 2030.