The scope of this document is to provide a synthesis of the achievements of the EU Soil Observatory (EUSO) during its first year of existence. The EUSO aims to become the principal provider of reference data and knowledge at EU-level for all matters relating to soil. The EUSO will be a dynamic and inclusive platform that supports EU soil-related policymaking by providing its stakeholder base with the knowledge and data flows needed to safeguard and restore soils.
Since its launch on December 4th 2020, most efforts have focused on defining and developing concepts associated with the main tasks of the Observatory (monitoring, dashboard, support to R&I, citizen engagement). Efforts have also been made to consolidate and enhance the capacity and functionality of the European Soil Data Centre (ESDAC), which is at the heart of the Observatory.
Major developments for 2021 included the establishment of an interservice Steering Committee (chaired by the Director of JRC Sustainable Resources Directorate), the support to the EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe", the development of the knowledge base on soil through research at the JRC, and the organisation of the 1st EUSO Stakeholder Forum.
The EUSO Stakeholder Forum was attended by over 1 000 participants over a three-day period in October 2021. In this sense, it succeeded in bringing a EUSO community together and in establishing a two-way dialogue with its user base. A summary of the event is presented in this report. EUSO activities will intensify in 2022.
