Living Laboratory Founding Workshop: TRAILS4SOIL Project

 

On Thursday, February 5, 2026, the Department of Agronomy at the UL BF will host a founding workshop for the living laboratory as part of the TRAILS4SOIL project. 


The workshop is designed as an interactive process aimed at establishing long-term cooperation between researchers, farmers, advisors, decision-makers, and other relevant stakeholders.



Below is some information for stakeholders.


You are cordially invited!
 

INFORMATION SHEET FOR STAKEHOLDERS

About the research – What is TRAILS4SOIL?

This research is part of the European project TRAILS4SOIL, funded by the HORIZON Europe programme. The main objective of the project is to collaborate with local farmers, industry, public authorities, academic institutions and civil society to demonstrate the potential of regenerative and conservation agricultural practices (ReCAP) to restore soil health and ensure long-term productivity and economic viability of farms.

Five Living Labs have been established, where we will work together with farmers and local communities to test the effectiveness and socio-economic impacts of different practices in order to address the following soil health and sustainability challenges:

  • sustainable permanent cropping systems in Mediterranean climates, regenerative approaches to organic farming systems, improving soil health to support climate change adaptation, innovative solutions for the conservation of black soils, conservation agriculture integrating crop and livestock production to improve soil health.

In each Living Lab, we will collaborate with interested local stakeholders who will help co-select, co-test and co-evaluate different practices. Stakeholders will be involved in the project through a series of workshops and demonstration events (and, if desired, interviews) over a five-year period (2025–2030).

Before deciding to take part as a stakeholder, it is important that you understand why the research is being conducted and what it involves. Please take the time to read this information sheet and then decide whether you wish to participate. You will be able to provide your consent on a separate form.

Who is leading the research?

The overall TRAILS4SOIL research project is coordinated by the University of Córdoba (Spain), while stakeholder engagement is co-led by the University of Gloucestershire (United Kingdom). The main lead in each Living Lab is its Living Lab leader.

In Slovenia, the lead institution is the University of Ljubljana, and the Living Lab leader is Dr Rok Mihelič
(e-mail: rok.mihelic@bf.uni-lj.si, tel. +386 1 320 3201).

Why have I been invited to participate?

The TRAILS4SOIL project recognises that challenges related to sustainable soil management are highly context-specific, and therefore effective solutions must be adapted to local conditions. The project believes that achieving real positive impact requires local communities, landowners and other stakeholders to be actively involved in decision-making processes and to help shape practices, tools and guidelines tailored to their specific circumstances.

As a stakeholder in our Living Lab, you will be invited to:

  • share your views on which practices should be tested, help evaluate the results of the trials, provide feedback on policy recommendations.

A maximum of two workshops or demonstration events per year are planned over the five-year period. If you wish, you may also participate in interviews on these topics. If you are a landowner, you will also have the opportunity to participate in testing practices on your own land.

GA no. 101218949 — TRAILS4SOIL — HORIZON-MISS-2024-SOIL-01

What are the benefits of taking part?

Participation in the research may bring several benefits:

  • You will gain insights into soil management issues in your region and possible practices to increase soil resilience. You will receive results and practical recommendations for transitioning to more regenerative and/or conservation-oriented farming. You will become part of a network of stakeholders in your region and across Europe, enabling the exchange of experiences related to regenerative and conservation practices. Participation also allows you to influence the development of local, national and European agricultural policies related to regenerative and conservation agriculture.

What if I decide that I no longer want to participate?

Your participation in the research is voluntary. You may decide to withdraw at any time. However, the TRAILS4SOIL project reserves the right to use the data you have provided up to the point of withdrawal, in accordance with ethical guidelines.

What will happen to the data I provide?

We take the protection of your data very seriously. Before analysis, your name will be replaced with a unique code to ensure anonymity. Personal data will be stored securely and confidentially in accordance with EU/UK GDPR regulations.

Data from workshops and interviews will only be shared with other members of the project team. Your personal data will be securely stored by the lead institution of the Living Lab and will be deleted after the end of the project. Your responses may be stored anonymously in an online repository, in line with EU policy.

Data that could reveal the identity of individuals or farms will not be disclosed unless you explicitly give your consent. At the start of each workshop, you will be asked for permission to take photographs or make audio recordings.

Analysed data will be presented in reports, scientific publications, policy briefs, information sheets and other media, such as the project website.

Are there any risks associated with taking part in the research?

The main potential risk is the possibility of identification in reports; however, through strict separation of personal data from content-related responses and full anonymisation, we believe this risk to be very low. If you have additional concerns regarding anonymity, please inform us and we will provide further clarification.

Who has reviewed and approved the research from an ethical perspective?

The research has been approved by the Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI) at the University of Gloucestershire (United Kingdom) and by the University of Ljubljana. All necessary measures have been taken to ensure that data collection fully complies with EU and UK data protection legislation.

Who can I contact if I have questions or concerns?

For further information, you may contact:

Dr Rok Mihelič, University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty
e-mail: rok.mihelic@bf.uni-lj.si, tel. +386 1 320 3201

Dr Jane Mills, Co-lead for stakeholder engagement, University of Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
e-mail: jmills@glos.ac.uk