Western Macedonia Soil Living Lab

The Western Macedonia (WM) Soil Living Lab is a regional open innovation ecosystem dedicated to improving soil health, restoring degraded land, and advancing the circular bioeconomy in Western Macedonia, Greece. Coordinated by the Cluster of Bioeconomy and Environment of Western Macedonia (CluBE), the Living Lab brings together researchers, public authorities, businesses, farmers, land managers, and citizens in a collaborative environment for co-creation, experimentation, and knowledge exchange. 
 
The WM Soil Living Lab integrates three complementary Living Labs: iCOSHELLs, focusing on post-mining land restoration; URSOILL, addressing urban soil regeneration through nature-based solutions; and Waste4Soil, developing circular bio-based soil improvers from organic residues. Together, they create a holistic framework for tackling complex soil-related challenges across agricultural, urban, and post-industrial landscapes. 
 
Through real-life pilot sites, participatory methodologies, and scientific monitoring, the Living Lab develops and validates innovative solutions that support environmental restoration, biodiversity, sustainable land management, and regional resilience. Aligned with the EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe,” the WM Soil Living Lab serves as a replicable model for place-based innovation and sustainable territorial transformation. 

Areas of work:

• Agriculture and (Agri-) Food
• Circular Economy
• Education and/or Vocational Training
• Environment/Climate Change
• Forestry
• Regulatory Learning Research
• Rural
• Social Innovation and Inclusion
• Soil
• Urban
• Zero Pollution and Decarbonization