European crop production is to remain competitive while reducing environmental impacts, requiring development and uptake of effective soil improving cropping systems. The overall aim of SOILCARE is to identify and evaluate promising soil-improving cropping systems and agronomic techniques increasing profitability and sustainability across scales in Europe. A trans-disciplinary approach will be used to evaluate benefits and drawbacks of a new generation of soil improving cropping systems, incorporating all relevant bio-physical, socio-economic and political aspects. Existing information from literature and long term experiments will be analysed to develop a comprehensive methodology for assessing performance of cropping systems at multiple levels. A multi-actor approach will be used to select promising soil-improving cropping systems for scientific evaluation in 16 study sites across Europe covering different pedo-climatic and socio-economic conditions. Implemented cropping systems will be monitored with stakeholder involvement, and will be assessed jointly with scientists. Specific attention will be paid to adoption of soil-improving cropping systems and agronomic techniques within and beyond the study sites. Results from study sites will be up-scaled to the European level to draw general lessons about applicability potentials of soil-improving cropping systems and related profitability and sustainability impacts, including assessing barriers for adoption at that scale. An interactive tool will be developed for end-users to identify and prioritize suitable soil-improving cropping systems anywhere in Europe. Current policies and incentives will be assessed and targeted policy recommendations will be provided. SOILCARE will take an active dissemination approach to achieve impact from local to European level, addressing multiple audiences, to enhance crop production in Europe to remain competitive and sustainable through dedicated soil care.

"The background of the project was a reflection over the importance of efficient transfer of knowledge implemented by scientific institutions of agricultural sector. A question about know-how of effective and successful transmission of ideas from the world of science to practice was a key issue for the project preparation and realisation. The project addresses the national and international needs of staff qualifications enhancement. The main project goal is elevation of qualifications by improvement of knowledge, skills and competences of people in charge of organisation and execution of educational services within the agricultural sector. The target group of the project is not large in numbers, but activity of these people has a vast impact on the whole agricultural sector. Raising qualifications of employees engaged into realization of trainings, conferences or seminars effects in higher level of ""products"", which they provide. As the final result, the recipients of the educational services receive offer, which is better fitted to their needs and more suitable to their expectations. The successful transfer of educational know-how exemplified by good practices brings amelioration in trainings level, innovations in the substantive matters as well as the forms of the educational processes bring enhancement of qualifications of trainees, which is further reflected in standards of activities and projects undertaken by participants of educational services . The extended impact on economy, legislation, ecology and welfare enforces a constant care of increment within capabilities of institutions and people engaged in educational activities. The project realisation impacted the most staff of each partner, including personnel responsible for organisation and execution of educational services, scientists, the institutions' management bodies (target groups of the project). The higher the qualifications of staff involved in the provision of educational services, the better trainings and higher levels of trainees and their impact on the wider environment. The second objective of the project was to establish the network for mutual contact of scientists and employees of engaged institutions. The network provides smooth flow of information, ideas and inspirations between partners of the project as well as potential new members joining the multilateral teamwork. Additional value of the project are personal contacts, which are always the root of further successful cooperation.All activities predicted for the project life time (14 months) were done and properly implemented. There were no delays in the project schedule (which is reckoned as a success itself considering a very tight calendar during the project)."