SoilTribes funding opportunity for soil literacy projects. What are you waiting for? Apply now! Deadline: 10 October

Soil can’t wait. Neither should you.

Soil. It’s under our feet every day, quietly making sure we eat and breathe. Yet, despite being the backbone of our ecosystems, it’s often treated like, well… dirt. That’s where the SoilTribes project comes in, and we have just launched an Open Call for Grants that could put your next big idea in the spotlight.

What’s going on?

SoilTribes, part of the “A Soil Deal for Europe” mission, is offering lump sum grants for innovative projects that:

  • Restore soil health 🌍
  • Engage communities 🤝
  • Boost soil literacy 📚

In plain words: We want your genius ideas that bring people together, whether through science, art, or creativity, to protect one of the planet’s most precious resources.

Show me the money (and the Lots)

The call is divided into two neat piles, think of them as different plots of land to plant your idea:

  • Lot 1: Development of new ideas
     For those quirky, experimental, or early-stage concepts that deserve to sprout.
  • Lot 2: Improvement & scale-Up
    For the seasoned changemakers who already have roots and are ready to grow bigger.

And within these Lots, you can choose strands like communication campaigns, arts & culture events, or hands-on citizen engagement. Basically, if your project helps people care about soil, you’re in the right place.

Grant size, budget, project duration smaill, 25000, 6 months medium, 50000, 9 months large, 100000, 12 months

Who can apply?

Pretty much anyone with a legal status in an EU Member State, Horizon Europe Associated Country, or OCT. From NGOs to startups, artists to researchers, local councils to universities, if you’ve got soil passion, you’ve got a shot.

Just one rule: whether you apply solo or in a consortium, make sure at least one partner is from the cultural or creative sector. Because soil stories deserve a creative spark.

Why should you care?

Because no soil = no food = no fun. It’s that simple. SoilTribes wants projects that make people stop scrolling and start caring. Imagine a street art campaign, a community garden revolution, or an interactive soil science festival. The opportunities are as fertile as the soil you’ll help protect.

Important dates (mark your calendar, soil hero)

  • 📅 Call opens: 11 August 2025
  • ⏳ Deadline: 10 October 2025, 17:00 CET
  • 🥳 Results: Mid-December 2025
  • 🚀 Projects start: February 2026

Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, SoilTribes is hosting free webinars to answer your burning questions.

Ready to Dig In?

FAQ

An individual running their own business without a separate legal personality (e.g. sole trader, self‐employed etc.), is an eligible applicant. Please note that if selected, they will be asked to provide business data and attach copies of official support documents to prove legal registration.

Yes, for-profit creative organizations are eligible to apply.

An organization is considered part of the Creative Sector if its core activities fall within cultural, artistic, design, media, or other recognized creative industries. This designation can also be reinforced if the organization’s NACE code falls within the “90s range,” covering Section S of NACE Rev. 2.1, which includes divisions such as:
90 – Artistic creation and performing arts,
91 – Libraries, archives, museums and other cultural activities, and
92–93 – Entertainment, amusement, recreation, and sports-related activities

Selected applicants may be asked to provide supporting documentation of their sector-related activity.

All partners can be located in a single country, forming an international consortium is not mandatory. However, all projects must demonstrate its European Added Value, generating value beyond the national, regional or local context through transferability, scalability or other relevant dimensions that allow broader uptake or learning from the project’s results.

Yes, applicants may submit the same project to multiple open calls. However, please note the no double funding rule: it is strictly prohibited to cumulate funding from the EU budget. Any given action may receive only one grant from the EU budget, and cost items may under no circumstances be declared under two different EU grants. In this context, both SoilTribes and Soilscape are running simultaneous calls. The project consortia are coordinating to ensure that the same project is not accepted in both calls.

Project activities must take place in one of the Member States of the European Union and its Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) or Associated Countries to Horizon Europe. All projects must demonstrate strong European added value.

Yes, an organization may take part as a partner in multiple proposals, as long as it can clearly demonstrate the necessary capacity and resources. Please note, however, that the maximum funding SoilTribes can grant to any single third party is EUR 100,000.

For Medium and Large (consortium) projects, it is mandatory that at least one partner belongs to the Cultural and Creative Industries. However, this partner does not need to be the lead applicant. For Small projects, if the application is submitted by a single beneficiary, that organization must be from the Cultural and Creative Industries. If the Small project is submitted by a consortium, then at least one partner must be a CCI, even if the lead is not.

No. A larger consortium is not considered more beneficial or competitive. What evaluators will be looking for is whether the proposed project team and consortium partners have the capacity, expertise, and experience to successfully carry out the project.

The sub-grant is paid in three instalments:

  • First payment: 50% advance, made after signing the Sub-Grant Agreement.
  • Second payment: 30% as an interim payment, based on the maximum amount specified in Article 3 of the agreement.
  • Third payment: 20% as the balance (final payment), based on the maximum amount specified in Article 3.

For sub-grants of EUR 100,000 and EUR 50,000, a financial viability check will be carried out. Depending on the outcome of this verification, the payment scheme may be adjusted.