European Rural Development Network

23/06/2026

The 3rd Bieszczady Midsummer Night Festival (3. Bieszczadzka Noc Kupały) is behind us! 🌿

What a wonderful day of learning, creativity, and community spirit by the San River in Dwernik, Poland!

At the European Rural Development Network tent, we combined soil education with practical examples of social economy and local cooperation. Visitors explored the fascinating world beneath our feet through interactive activities, workshops and conversations.

🎨 Participants discovered the artistic side of soil during the soil painting workshop led by Relict Soil - Expedition and Exhibition (Sylwester Stabryła and Dawid Woroniec).

🌱 Together with the Koło Gospodyń Wiejskich Babiniec - Czarna i Przyjaciele w Czarnej Górnej (Rural Housewives' Circle) children and adults created seed bombs and planted surprise seedlings, learning about biodiversity while having fun.

🪱 Dozens of visitors tested their knowledge in our soil quiz and learned about the amazing organisms living underground.

🔬 Visitors could also collect soil sampling kits as part of the ECHO Soil project and contribute to citizen science efforts aimed at improving our understanding of soil health across Europe.

🤝 We shared information about the Horizon Europe projects, highlighting how healthy soils, social innovation, and rural development can support stronger local communities. With Lokalna Grupa Działania "Zielone Bieszczady" representative Iwona Woch partocipanys could get information about new calls for proposals and the possibility of financing local initiatives by LAG.

✨ Through the ESIRA project, we were also proud to showcase the results of the Babiniec train-the-trainers programme. Visitors could admire beautiful handmade boho mirrors created by the ladies demonstrating how local skills development can lead to creative products and community empowerment.

A big thank you to Przełączenie - Stowarzyszenie Inicjatyw Bieszczadzkich (Association of Bieszczady Initiatives) for the invitation, and to our partners KGW Babiniec – Czarna i Przyjaciele and LAG “Green Bieszczady” for co-creating this inspiring space with us.

SoilScape Project ESIRA Project Polska Orkiestra Glebowa - Soilscape ECHO Horizon Europe Project Gmina Michałowice

23/06/2026

Due to numerous requests, the deadline for abstract submissions for the XXII International Scientific ERDN Conference has been extended to 15 July 2026.

Conference Topic: “Resilient rural areas and sustainable food systems: governance, policy frameworks and structural challenges”

Dates: 29 September – 1 October 2026

Venue: Mitrovica, Republic of Kosovo

Updated Timeline:

New Abstract Deadline: 15 July 2026

Registration Period: 1 June – 31 August 2026

The event is subsidised – there is no registration fee. All submitted abstracts undergo a double-blind peer review process. Submissions must be sent to [email protected] using the official template.

Full details, template downloads, and the registration form are available on the official website: https://erdn.eu/conference-22erdn2026/

12/06/2026

We cordially invite you to the EU Open Training Session within Therbn EU Project

🌱 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥-𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲?

📢Join our 𝐄𝐔 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: "𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲" and discover knowledge exchange approaches, innovative practices and practical solutions from across Europe.

📅 19 June 2026
🕒 10:00–11:30 CEST
💻 Online (MS Teams)

During the session, participants will:

🔹 Learn about and its activities
🔹 Hear insights from sister initiatives, including DIGI-Rangeland and 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐩-𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆
🔹 Explore current challenges and needs in knowledge exchange
🔹 Discover how olive tree prunings can be transformed into renewable energy
🔹 Get introduced to the 𝐄𝐑𝐁𝐍 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦, connecting knowledge, innovation and practice

🔗 Secure your spot here 👉https://l1nk.dev/wnp1cgy

🔎 Learn more here 👉https://l1nq.com/f6h686h

09/06/2026

🌿Funding Opportunity for Farmers, NGOs, and Researchers in Soil Health🌿

An opportunity to get funding and join an international network fighting soil degradation!

The Nemesis project, supported by the EU Mission "A Soil Deal for Europe", has just launched its Open Call 1. The European Rural Development Network (ERDN) is part of this project, and we are looking for new experimental sites to test innovative soil management solutions.

👉What is in it for you?
📌Financial support – Grants up to EUR 100,000 per selected applicant (from a total pool of EUR 500,000).
📌Expert mentoring – Direct access to scientific and technical advice from specialists in soil challenges and geoinformatics.
📌Networking & tools – Collaboration with industry, academia, and local authorities, plus access to co-developed tools and infrastructure.

👉Who can join?
If you are a single legal entity operating a test field, pilot farm, or managed land, you can apply. This includes farmers, cooperatives, local authorities, environmental NGOs, research institutes, and SMEs.

❗️Important Dates:
Applications close on August 1, 2026.
Selected projects will start on October 1, 2026.

Applications must be submitted in English. To download the official guidelines or ask questions, visit the Nemesis website https://www.nemesis-soil.eu/open-calls or email [email protected].

28/05/2026

The 3rd meeting of Polish Soil & Art Orchestra under SoilScape Project was super productive!

Positive creative ferment and plans for the Soil and Art Festival in 2027 🍀🖼🪾🎨👣

23/05/2026

The 5th General Assembly of the ESIRA Project in Druskininkai, Lithuania 🇱🇹 is now behind us!

These were intense and inspiring days filled with knowledge exchange, workshops, and study visits showcasing how the social economy can genuinely support the development of rural areas and local communities.

During the meeting, we had the opportunity to visit many remarkable social initiatives and local organisations in Druskininkai, Viečiūnai, Jovaišiai, and Leipalingis. The discussions on good practices, ESIRA methodologies, and the future development of social innovation in rural areas were especially valuable.

Thank you to all project partners for your active participation, inspiring discussions, and the great atmosphere throughout the event 🤝

Special thanks go to the Lithuanian Team for the excellent organisation of the entire event, the warm hospitality, and the preparation of such inspiring study visits. Thanks to you, we were able not only to work effectively but also to better understand the local communities and the culture of the region 💚

21/05/2026

PL:
📢 Przypominamy – nabór do Crush Course trwa!

📌Szukamy młodych ludzi, którzy rozumieją, że zdrowa gleba = zdrowa przyszłość.

🟢Program dla par (naukowiec + media): W ciągu 40 godzin online (październik–grudzień 2026) nauczycie się wspólnie tworzyć angażujące treści o glebie – filmy, podcasty, social posty.

🟢Efekt?
• Naukowcy zyskują umiejętność trafiania ze swoimi badaniami do szerokiej publiczności
• Twórcy mediów dostają głęboką, rzetelną wiedzę o jednym z najważniejszych tematów XXI wieku

🏆Najlepsze zespoły wygrają 2500 € na wyjazd na festiwal SoilTribes w Europie (luty–maj 2027).

📌Dla kogo? Osoby do 35 lat – naukowcy gleby i specjaliści od komunikacji/medów.

Dlaczego to robimy? Bo gleba wpływa na każdy aspekt naszego życia, a wiedza o niej wciąż nie dociera do ludzi. Chcemy to zmienić – tworzymy nowe pokolenie Ambasadorów Gleby.🌿
DOŁĄCZ DO NAS → https://tiny.pl/cvk1xzjhg
Opowiedz nam o sobie, a my połączymy was w pary.

Ostatnie tygodnie naboru (kończy się 31 maja)
Więcej informacji: https://tiny.pl/krg80c2fm
***
EN
📢 Reminder – the SoilTribes call is still open!

📌We are looking for young people who understand that healthy soil = healthy future.

🟢Programme for pairs (scientist + media): Over 40 hours of online training (October–December 2026) you will learn together how to create engaging content about soil – videos, podcasts, and social media posts.

🟢The result? • Scientists will gain the ability to reach a wide audience with their research • Media professionals will receive deep, reliable knowledge about one of the most important topics of the 21st century

🏆The best teams will win €2,500 to attend the SoilTribes Festival in Europe (February–May 2027).

📌Who can join? People under 35 – soil scientists and communication/media specialists.

Why are we doing this? Because soil affects every aspect of our lives, yet knowledge about it still doesn’t reach people. We want to change that – and create a new generation of Soil Ambassadors.🌿

JOIN US → https://tiny.pl/cvk1xzjhg
We will match you into pairs.

Final weeks of the call (closes 31 May)
More information: https://tiny.pl/krg80c2fm

14/05/2026

PL
🌍 Gleba to nie brud. To podstawa naszego jedzenia, klimatu i życia. A powszechna komunikacja o niej jest… znikoma .

👉Dlatego ruszamy z SoilTribes – unikalnym programem, który łączy młodych naukowców gleby z młodymi twórcami mediów.

W parach będziecie:
• Naukowcy – uczyć się opowiadać o badaniach tak, żeby ludzie chcieli tego słuchać
• Media – zgłębiać prawdziwą wiedzę o glebie, żeby tworzyć rzetelne i porywające treści

Co Was czeka? 40-godzinny kurs online (październik–grudzień 2026) + stworzenie własnego wideo/podcastu + social postcard.
🏆Zwycięskie pary dostaną 2500 € na udział w festiwalu SoilTribes w Europie (2027).

🟢DLA KOGO? Dla osób do 35. roku życia – zarówno naukowców (gleboznawstwo, agronomia, ekologia gleby itp.), jak i twórców mediów.

📌Cel programu jest prosty: sprawić, żeby wiedza o glebie przestała być niszowa i zaczęła realnie zmieniać świadomość społeczeństwa.
Chcesz być częścią tej zmiany?

Formularz zgłoszeniowy → https://tiny.pl/cvk1xzjhg

📌Nabór do 31 maja 2026
Więcej informacji: https://tiny.pl/krg80c2fm

***
EN
🌍 Soil is not just dirt. It is the foundation of our food, climate, and life. Yet the way we talk about it is… almost non-existent.

👉That’s why we are launching SoilTribes – a unique programme that connects young soil scientists with young media creators.

In pairs you will:
• Scientists – learn how to present your research so that people actually want to listen
• Media professionals – dive deep into real soil science to create credible and captivating content

What’s in store for you? A 40-hour online course (October–December 2026) + creating your own video/podcast + social postcard.
🏆Winning pairs will receive €2,500 to participate in the SoilTribes Festival across Europe (2027).

🟢Who can apply? People under 35 – both soil scientists (pedology, agronomy, soil ecology, etc.) and media professionals.

📌The goal of the programme is simple: to make soil knowledge stop being niche and start genuinely changing public awareness.
Want to be part of this change?

Apply here → https://tiny.pl/cvk1xzjhg
📌Deadline: 31 May 2026
More information: https://tiny.pl/krg80c2fm

14/05/2026

#📢Abstract submission is now open – XXII ERDN Conference 2026!

We are pleased to invite you to the international scientific conference: “Resilient rural areas and sustainable food systems: governance, policy frameworks and structural challenges”

📆When: 29 September – 1 October 2026.
🗺Where: Mitrovica, Kosovo.

📌Important Deadlines:
Abstract submission: 15 June 2026.
Registration: Starts 1 June 2026 – 31 August 2026

No conference fee – participants cover travel and accommodation only.

Full details, registration form, abstract template and practical information are available here:
https://erdn.eu/conference-22erdn2026/