Short Description
The SOILSCAPE Open Call aims to incentivize the integration of arts, arts-based, and creative approaches to increase soil literacy, raise awareness and engagement with soil and their preservation. To do so, the project has allocated 2,010,000€ for an elaborate FSTP scheme that will support individual applicants and small consortia (up to three (3) partners) in two call categories.
In order to support the expansion of the Soil Orchestras and the execution of impactful soil festivals, 960,000€ has been allocated to fund an additional three (3) sub-projects in each of the eight (8) Soil Orchestras. Each of these 24 sub-projects can receive up to 40,000€ and will follow an 18 month implementation period.
FSTP Structure of Soil Orchestra and its conductor
1. Italy: Clust-ER Create (CER)
The FSTP for the Italian Soil Orchestra will fund three (3) sub-projects aiming to develop creative tools to increase soil literacy among children and the general public, and that will be demonstrated during the Italian Soilscape Festival. A single project will be selected from each of the following three (3) activity categories:
• Workshop lab tools
• Artistic Show/performance
• Educational video game
2. Germany: German Soil Science Society (DBG)/ University of Göttingen (UGOE)
The FSTP for the German Soil Orchestra will fund three (3) sub-projects aiming to develop creative, arts-based contributions to animate the German Soilscape Festival, which will engage participants with soil-related themes. A single project will be selected from the followin:g each of the three (3) activity categories:
• Performing arts
• Visual arts
• Film
3. Poland: European Rural Development Network (ERDN)
The FSTP for the Polish Soil Orchestra will fund three (3) sub-projects aiming to develop creative, arts-based contributions to animate the Mazovia Soilscape Festival (Poland), aiming to engage participants with soil-related themes. A single project will be selected from the following three (3) activity categories:
• Stage performance
• Exhibition
• Workshop
4. France: Association Française pour l’étude du sol (AFES)
The FSTP for the French Soil Orchestra will fund three (3) sub-projects aiming to develop creative, arts-based contributions to animate at least one (1) edition of the French Soilscape Festival, aiming to engage participants with soil-related themes. The three (3) highest-ranked proposals of different animation types will be selected
5. Bulgaria: Cleantech Bulgaria (CTBG)
The FSTP for the Bulgarian Soil Orchestra will fund three (3) sub-projects aiming to develop creative, arts-based contributions to animate the Bulgarian Soilscape Festival, aiming to engage participants with soil-related themes. The three (3) highest-ranked proposals of different animation types will be selected.
6. Finland: LUT University (LUT)
The FSTP for the Finnish Soil Orchestra will fund three (3) sub-projects aiming to support the development of a strong art-soil ecosystem in Finland and offer creative animation to the Finnish Soilscape Festival. These projects will become ‘artist ambassadors’ for the Finnish ACSO and should develop and deliver creative outputs that engage audiences across Finland through three (3) complementary components:
• Presentations/Demonstrations: Showcase artistic or creative interpretations of soil-related themes.
• Artist ‘Talk Backs’: Facilitate discussions with audiences to share insights and foster dialogue about their work.
• Technical Outreach: Offer educational or skill-based activities to connect artistic practices with soil science and broader community understanding.
7. Switzerland: The Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL)
The FSTP for the Swiss Soil Orchestra will fund three (3) sub-projects aiming to develop creative, arts-based contributions to animate the Swiss Soilscape Festival, which will engage participants with soil-related themes. A single project will be selected from the following three (3) activity categories:
• Visual arts exhibition
• Educational video game
• Film
8. Portugal: The Serralves Foundation (SRV)
The FSTP for the Portuguese Soil Orchestra will fund three (3) projects aiming to develop creative, arts-based contributions to animate the Portuguese Soilscape Festival, aiming to engage participants with soil-related themes. The three (3) highest-ranked proposals of different animation types will be selected.
Eligibility
Both categories of the Soilscape Open Call (SOILSCAPE FSTP and Soil Orchestra FSTP) will accept applications from individual applicants and small consortia consisting of up to three (3) parties that can integrate artistic, creative and/or participatory approaches to raise awareness and engagement with soils and their preservation. Applicants are encouraged to build consortia that bring together soil science with artist/creative partners. Only legal entities from Horizon Europe eligible countries will be accepted.
How to Apply
Online Application
Program Benefits & Awards
In order to support the expansion of the Soil Orchestras and the execution of impactful soil festivals, 960,000€ has been allocated to fund an additional three (3) sub-projects in each of the eight (8) Soil Orchestras. Each of these 24 sub-projects can receive up to 40,000€ and will follow an 18 month implementation period.
Entry Fee
None
Location
Paris, France
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 30 September 2025
Website Link: https://soilscape.eu/open-calls/
