The Polish Soil Orchestra, a key initiative under the European SoilScape project, continues to gain momentum. The second working meeting took place at the Michałowce Municipal Office in Reguły on 6th of February, providing a vibrant space for creative and constructive dialogue between science, local government, and the arts.
Defining the Path: Vision and Mission A major highlight of the session was the collaborative development of the Orchestra’s Vision and Mission. By integrating artistic practices with soil science, the group defined how to effectively raise public awareness about soil health. These strategic foundations will guide the Orchestra’s activities leading up to the much-anticipated Soil Festival.
Empowering Local Initiatives: SOILSCAPE Open Call Winners We were proud to introduce the winners of the SOILSCAPE Soil Orchestra Open Call (FSTP – Financial Support to Third Parties). These sub-grants are designed to empower local stakeholders to implement innovative “Soil Orchestra” activities. Congratulations to the winning teams from Podkowa Leśna, Warsaw, and Rzeszów! Their diverse projects will significantly contribute to the project’s goal of enhancing soil literacy across Europe.
Opportunities under the EU Soil Mission The meeting also featured an expert presentation by Bożena Podlaska from the National Contact Point (The National Centre for Research and Development). She shared valuable insights into current and upcoming opportunities under the EU Mission: “A Soil Deal for Europe” (Soil Mission). For organizations looking to participate in Horizon Europe competitions, the National Contact Point remains the primary source of information and application support.
Artistic Integration: The Soil Song In what is becoming a beautiful tradition, the meeting included a performance of the “Soil Song.” This initiative, sparked by Agata Sałachewicz from the Ecological Folk University in Grzybów, helps foster a sense of community among project partners. While the song currently begins with the English lyrics “Roots…”, work is underway to translate it into Polish to make its environmental message more accessible to local audiences.
We extend our gratitude to the Municipality of Michałowice for their hospitality and to all participants for their active involvement and inspiring energy.
See you at the next step of our journey!
