The ambitions of the SOILCRATES project are to improve soil literacy by establishing four sustainable and dynamic Living Labs (LLs), to monitor soil health and biodiversity beyond the state-of-the-art, and to enhance soil structure and health.
Ballyhoura Development is one of three community partners that will be working with farmers, agri-businesses, other community partners, and state agencies to establish the Irish Living Lab across the Ballyhoura region and broader County Limerick. Cloughjordan Eco Village will be leading efforts to establish the Living Lab in Co Tipperary, and Loop Head Together will support communities in Co Clare.
TUS (Technical University of the Shannon) is the Lead Partner in Ireland, responsible for coordinating the SOILCRATES project.
SOILCRATES aims to work with stakeholders on the ground to:
The key objective of the project is the establishment of a number of Living Labs in partner countries, including Ireland. A ‘Living Lab’ is a community of partners who conduct research and innovation in a real-life environment. It brings together academic partners, community actors, state agencies, and the private sector so that solutions to significant issues can be worked on in partnership with those with the most important stake in solving them. Farmers from all farming systems, sizes, and production types play key roles in the Living Lab.
Being part of the Living Lab offers opportunities to:
For further information, please contact Rhiannon Laubach at [email protected] or 087-1940608.
Find Out More
Read an RTE News Article