From policy to shared responsibility

Responsibility Beyond Institutions

Change towards good soil practices does not emerge exclusively from governmental regulation. Across Europe, individuals, grassroots groups, schools, artists, community practitioners, and civil society organisations contribute to how soil is understood, valued, and cared for. Through their activities, they shape individuals' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours related to soil — often described as soil literacy. These actors may operate outside formal governance structures, yet they influence awareness, practices, and public discourse. Their actions often make soil visible in contexts where policy and science alone have limited reach.

Shared responsibility, different degrees of influence

While many actors share responsibility, their capacity to influence soil outcomes differs. Governments regulate. Municipalities plan. Professionals design and manage. Businesses structure production and supply chains. Professional educators shape understanding. Citizens influence demand, norms, and participation.

Recognising these differences helps avoid two common misunderstandings:

• that individual behaviour alone can solve systemic challenges
• that individuals have no meaningful role

In reality, individuals play a significant role between these two positions.

Individual choices and actions do matter

Choosing locally sourced products, supporting diverse plant growth in gardens, using public transportation, or participating in community initiatives can contribute to greater awareness and a stronger recognition of the important role soil plays in everyday life.

In your Soil Diary: try to remember one activity from this week that revealed soil's hidden role in your everyday life.

At the same time, long-term soil protection depends on broader frameworks — spatial planning, infrastructure design, economic incentives, sectoral policies. Individual actions and soil protection frameworks interact and reinforce one another.