GrowLIFE is a Climate and Governance Information project, aiming at fostering behavioural change throughout the food system in order to increase the share of practices that are more environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable. According to the European Environment Agency, agriculture is the fifth sector producing more greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, GrowLIFE represents a response to the European Green Deal, the European Climate Pact, and the Farm to Fork Strategy.
Only an integrated approach, will allow an effective transition to a sustainable and climate resilient agricultural system, from production to distribution and consumption. This entails fostering change in producers, policy makers and consumers. GrowLIFE will contribute to this aim by a) capacitating farmers to employ sustainable agricultural practices (e.g., crop rotation, reduced pesticide use), b) incentivising policy makers to promote sustainability in the food sector (namely, via incentivising short food supply chains; distribution), c) increasing consumer awareness to the importance of a sustainable food system for the future of the planet and d) empowering catering professionals, trend setters of food consumption, to create sustainable meals (consumption). This will be done in 12 municipalities spread across Portugal and employing methodologies that promote peer-to-peer knowledge transfer and multi-stakeholder discussions. GrowLIFE have the potential to elicit significant change in the Portuguese food system and with it ensure a better future for us all.
Project ID
Funding period
1 June 2023 - 31 May 2028Total budget
EU contribution
Funding programme
Call for proposals
Type of action
Type of stakeholder
Project contribution to Mission Soil’s:
Specific objectives
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1. Reduce land degradation relating to desertification
Not targeted -
2. Conserve and increase soil organic carbon stocks
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3. No net soil sealing and increase the reuse of urban soils
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4. Reduce soil pollution and enhance restoration
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5. Prevent erosion
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6. Improve soil structure to enhance habitat quality for soil biota and crops
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7. Reduce the EU global footprint on soils
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8. Increase soil literacy in society across Member States
Partially targeted
Operational objectives
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1. Build capacities and the knowledge base for soil stewardship
Partially targeted
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2. Co-create and upscale place-based innovations to improve soil health in all places
Not targeted
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3. Develop an integrated EU soil monitoring system and track progress towards soil health
Not targeted
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4. Engage with the soil user community and society at large
Partially targeted
Innovation hotspots
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1. Carbon farming
Not targeted
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2. Soil pollution and restoration
Not targeted
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3. Soil biodiversity including the microbiome
Not targeted
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4. Circular economy solutions
Not targeted
Cross-cutting dimensions
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1. Business
Not targeted
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2. Digital
Not targeted
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3. Territorial
Not targeted
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4. International
Not targeted
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