The primary aim of iCOSHELLs is to bolster the restoration of soil health across the EU, that is the continued capacity of soils to support ecosystem services. This mission is pursued by establishing 6 Soil Health Living Labs (SHELLs) spanning various climatic zones - namely Sweden, Spain, Spain-France, Italy, Greece, and Bulgaria. These labs serve as hubs for the development of innovative solutions tailored to the EU's soil objectives, with a particular focus on objectives 4, 6, and 8. Through collaborative efforts encompassing research, practice, and policy, solutions will be conceptualized, trialled, and authenticated within the SHELLs. This ensures the seamless integration of topperforming solutions not just within the SHELLs regions but also in external regions. Simultaneously, iCOSHELLs will ensure the long-term sustainability of the SHELLs and lays the foundation and curates best practices for future SHELLs and Lighthouses (LHs), striving to meet the EU's target of 100 LLs and LHs by 2030.
In essence, iCOSHELLs revolves around two pivotal objectives: the sustainable operation of SHELLs and the pioneering of solutions to enhance soil health. This vision is brought to life through a comprehensive framework of technical and operational objectives, ranging from stakeholder engagement to policy recommendations, all meticulously curated to champion the cause of soil health.
In essence, iCOSHELLs revolves around two pivotal objectives: the sustainable operation of SHELLs and the pioneering of solutions to enhance soil health. This vision is brought to life through a comprehensive framework of technical and operational objectives, ranging from stakeholder engagement to policy recommendations, all meticulously curated to champion the cause of soil health.