From 3–5 June 2025, the Waste4Soil Consortium convened in Lahti, Finland, for a three-day project meeting hosted by the LAB University of Applied Sciences. The event brought together project partners from across Europe to reflect on progress, visit field sites, and collaboratively shape the next phases of work in support of innovative solutions for soil health.
Strengthening Collaboration Across Work Packages
The meeting opened on the LAB campus with a warm welcome from the hosting team, led by Anne-Marie Tuomala, and included opening remarks by Project Coordinator Kyriakos Panopoulos.
The session provided a valuable opportunity for all Work Package (WP) leaders to present key updates and outline upcoming activities.
Later in the afternoon, the General Assembly convened, allowing consortium members to align on deliverables, governance topics, and strategic priorities. The day concluded with a group dinner at LAB, creating space for informal networking and knowledge exchange.
Field Demonstrations
The second day began with a workshop focused on business model co-creation and sustainable investment, enabling partners to explore pathways for scaling circular and soil-friendly solutions.
In the afternoon, participants visited field sites to gain first-hand insights into real-world applications of sustainable practices, including:
- Setälä-Eerola Farm
- Fazer Food Factory
- Stora Enso Heinola Fluting Mill and OxyPower HTC™ facility (C-Green)
These visits showcased diverse perspectives on sustainable production, resource valorisation, and soil and waste management innovation.
The day ended with a joint reflection session on project progress and planning for upcoming tasks and activities.
Joint Workshop with Sister Project DeliSoil
On the final day, consortium members travelled to meet partners from the DeliSoil – EU Mission Soil Project at the Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE) in Jokioinen.
The joint workshop, titled “Soil Health Indicators & Soil Improvers”, was co-hosted by DeliSoil and Waste4Soil with the shared aim of promoting soil health and fostering sustainable, bio-based systems across Europe.
Workshop highlights included:
- Knowledge exchange on soil health indicators
- Presentations of innovative soil improvers and organic amendments
- Strengthening synergies between the two projects
Participants also had the chance to visit Biopaja – Solutions for the Circular Bioeconomy (LUKE) and Elonkierto, gaining insight into the practical implementation of circular bioeconomy principles.
Key Highlights and Outcomes
The Lahti meeting delivered several key takeaways:
- Enhanced collaboration between Work Packages and Living Labs
- Insightful field demonstrations and real-world applications
- A structured plan for communication, dissemination, and outreach activities
- Valuable guest contributions that deepened discussions and broadened perspectives
- Strengthened ties with our sister project, DeliSoil
The Waste4Soil consortium leaves Lahti with renewed momentum and a shared commitment to advancing soil health through innovative, inclusive, and circular bioeconomy solutions across Europe.
