People who make soil visible

Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)

Civil society organisations play a critical role in translating soil concerns into public debate, policy advocacy, and collective action. Across Europe, NGOs work to ensure that soil protection remains visible within climate, biodiversity, food, and land-use discussions.

For example, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) has advocated for stronger EU soil protection frameworks, including binding legislation on soil health and limits to land take. Through policy analysis and coalition-building, it connects soil governance to broader environmental and societal priorities.

Similarly, Friends of the Earth Europe addresses soil degradation within campaigns on land use, pesticide reduction, and biodiversity protection. Their work highlights how soil health is linked not only to environmental sustainability, but also to food systems, equity, and long-term resilience.

PAN Europe (Pesticide Action Network Europe) focuses on reducing pesticide dependency across Member States, drawing attention to the impacts of chemical inputs on soil biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and human health.

These organisations demonstrate that soil protection is not only a technical or scientific issue. It is also a matter of civic engagement, public accountability, and societal choice.

In your Soil Diary: are there organisations in your country or region that advocate for soil, land, or environmental protection? Which approaches resonate most with your values or professional interests — policy advocacy, restoration, education, community action? If you wish, share in the forum the organisation(s) that resonated most with you.