The European Regional Soil Partnership was formed under the umbrella of the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) in October 2013. The Steering Committee of the partnership will hold its first meeting on 19-20 February 2014 in Potsdam, Germany. The aim is to conduct profound planning of organisational issues, covered themes and common projects. Moreover, suggestions for potential partners of the European Regional Soil Partnership will be discussed.
The members of the Steering Committee are:
- European Commission (Joint Research Centre)
- Soil Science and Conservation Research Institute, Slovakia
- Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), Germany
- Eurasian Centre for Food Security (ECFS), Russian Federation
- European Soil Bureau Network (ESBN)
Together with the Regional Soil Partnerships in Asia, Africa, South America, Central America, the Caribbean and the Near East the European Regional Soil Partnership will serve as a hub to channel regional soil issues to the Global Soil Partnership. The terms of reference and rules of procedure of the GSP declare that the establishment of such Regional Soil Partnerships is an essential step in the facilitation and effective implementation of actions. The Regional Soil Partnerships should provide guidance on regional goals and priorities and the required implementation mechanisms. In particular, they should facilitate links with national and local soil management programs and activities with a view to strengthening work on soils and to develop synergies with other relevant initiatives and activities.
Contact:
Elisa Gärtner
Global Soil Forum
Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS)
Phone: +49 331 28822-318
Email: Elisa.Gaertner@iass-potsdam.de