LivingSoiLL Celebrates the European Researchers’ Night 2025: Bringing Soil Health Closer to People

On 26 September 2025, the European Researchers’ Night once again brought science closer to citizens across Europe, a special evening dedicated to sharing research, innovation, and curiosity with the public. The LivingSoiLL project proudly joined this celebration through activities led by its partners in Italy and Spain, engaging audiences of all ages around one key message: healthy soils are essential for a sustainable future.

In Italy, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Science (DiSAFA) at the University of Turin participated in the UNIGHT – Notte Europea delle Ricercatrici e dei Ricercatori, inviting visitors to explore the hidden world beneath our feet. The focus was on soil health. Visitors could also observe instruments such as soil temperature and humidity sensors, lysimeters, and a gas collection chamber, which were used to demonstrate what soil is, how it forms, the essential functions it performs, and the processes that can lead to its degradation in different environments. The team also explained how these tools help monitor soil conditions and support sustainable management.

Meanwhile, in Spain, the University of Vigo (UVigo) participated in the G-Night – Noite Europea das Persoas Investigadoras, where the LivingSoiLL team invited families to join the workshop “Reviving the Soil with Worms.” This hands-on activity focused on transforming organic waste into valuable resources through vermicomposting. Participants learned how different types of organic waste and earthworms can help restore soil life, improve soil health, and contribute to a more sustainable environment. The activity was a great success, with all sessions fully booked and enthusiastic participation from people of all ages eager to understand how small actions at home and in the garden can help revive the soil.

By taking part in this initiative, the LivingSoiLL teams contributed to a collective movement that involved thousands of researchers across Europe showing that science is not only about knowledge, it is about people, collaboration, playing a key role in advancing the project’s goal of strengthening soil literacy in communities.