From Knowledge to Local Action: The First SoilTribes Community of Practice Micro-Grants

Eight members of the SoilTribes Community of Practice have completed a diverse range of locally driven activities supported through the project’s first Micro-Grants Call.

Concluded in February 2026, the activities transformed soil-related knowledge and ideas into workshops, events, training opportunities, communication initiatives, and other forms of community-based action across multiple countries.

Implemented by INOVA+ within the SoilTribes Financial Support to Third Parties framework, the Micro-Grants offered Community of Practice members the opportunity to advance and share their knowledge through practical activities connected to soil literacy, public awareness, participation, and knowledge exchange.

The first Micro-Grants Call supported eight SoilTribes Community of Practice members in moving from ideas to implementation. Rather than limiting knowledge exchange to discussions or written resources, the beneficiaries developed activities that brought soil-related topics directly to communities and stakeholders.

The supported actions included locally delivered workshops, events, training opportunities, communication initiatives, and other activities adapted to different audiences and contexts.

Eight Beneficiaries, Diverse Approaches

Although united by a shared commitment to soil literacy, the eight beneficiaries used different formats to communicate, educate, and engage.

Some activities focused on creating learning opportunities through workshops and training. Others used events and communication initiatives to increase the visibility of soil-related topics and encourage broader participation.

This diversity reflects the role of the SoilTribes Community of Practice as a multidisciplinary network. Its members bring together different perspectives, professional backgrounds, and forms of expertise while sharing a commitment to strengthening society’s relationship with soil.

Strengthening an Action-Oriented Community of Practice

The first Community of Practice Micro-Grants show how targeted financial support can enable locally driven soil action.

The implementation phase may have concluded, but the experiences and materials created through the first Micro-Grants Call can continue to support the SoilTribes community, encourage new initiatives, and inspire wider participation.