Ihobe, the Basque Government's environmental Ihobe has signed up to the European Mission Soil Manifesto. The declaration - signed by 527 entities and 2,468 people so far - is a call to action to respond to the urgent need to protect and improve soil health in Europe and beyond. The manifesto is also an invitation to local and regional policy-makers, stakeholders and citizens to gather together in an active community to care for soil health.

The Basque Country, as a signatory of the Mission Soil Manifesto, is expressing its support for the European Mission 'A Soil Deal for Europe' and its goals; it is now a member of a community of practice that champions the importance of soil health and is concerned about the future of soil in Europe and around the world.

By joining this initiative, Ihobe will have first-hand access to knowledge on soil health and the Mission's activities, and to the results of the latest research; it will also have the opportunity to take part in different events to share best practices.

Investing in soil health is crucial to set about climate change and the loss of diversity; tackle the problem of the deterioration of water quality; address world food security; and guarantee the resilience of farmers and communities, inter alia.

Investing in soil health is crucial to set about climate change

European Mission Soil Manifesto

The European Mission Soil Manifesto was launched in April 2023 under the aegis of the European Commission and of the European Regions Research and Innovation Network (ERRIN), that consider this declaration a key milestone for the success of the EU 'A Soil Deal for Europe' Mission.

The most recent Manifesto signatories include, along with Ihobe, the Agriculture Department of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol (Italy); the Aland Foundation for landscape restoration (Spain); the European Network of Living Labs-ENoLL (Belgium); the Humus+ NGO (Austria); the Academy of Entrepreneurship research organisation (Green) and the Coastal Biotech non-community private company (Tanzania).

The member entities play a key role in raising awareness about Mission Soil and in promoting sustainable land management practices. In turn, companies and organisation can contribute to the Mission's goals by financing or implementing soil health initiatives and/or research projects