Apply for the Land and Soil Management Award 2026/2027 - a European prize of €5,000 plus a diploma of recognition for outstanding land-use and soil-management practices that reduce soil threats.
Organised by the European Landowners’ Organization (ELO) under the auspices of the European Commission (DG Environment, DG Agriculture and the Joint Research Centre), with partners including BOKU Vienna, Syngenta International AG, and the University of Ljubljana’s Centre for Soil and Environmental Sciences. Winners are promoted as European good-practice examples.
Deadline: 31 January 2027. The award is presented at the Forum for the Future of Agriculture on 20 April 2027 (Brussels). This Opportunity Station guide is original copy based on official ELO materials. It is not a reprint of any third-party blog.
Quick Facts - Land and Soil Management Award 2026/2027
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Award | Land and Soil Management Award (European Landowners’ Organization) |
| Host Landmark | Atomium / Brussels, Belgium 🇧🇪 |
| Prize | €5,000 + diploma of recognition for the winning project |
| Focus | Practices mitigating soil degradation, erosion, organic-matter loss, contamination, compaction, biodiversity loss, salinization, sealing, flooding, landslides |
| Ceremony | Forum for the Future of Agriculture - 20 April 2027 |
| Eligibility | Farmers, landowners, land managers, farmer groups in Europe (solo or with research institutes, universities, and/or companies) |
| Deadline | 31 January 2027 |
| Official Gateway | ELO award page |
Why This Award Matters
- Highlights outstanding soil- and land-protection achievements across Europe
- Encourages new concepts of sustainable land management and their on-farm implementation
- Raises awareness of soil functions at local, national, and European scale
- Promotes the winning project as a European good-practice model
Benefits
- €5,000 cash prize for the winning project
- Diploma of recognition (jury may also award additional recognition diplomas)
- European-level visibility and promotion of the winning practice
- Stage presentation at the Forum for the Future of Agriculture (20 April 2027)
Eligibility
- Farmers, landowners, land managers, or groups of farmers
- May apply alone or in collaboration with research institutes, universities, and/or private companies
- Must be based / operating in Europe (including extended European territories as per ELO guidance)
- Project should demonstrate practices that mitigate one or more soil threats listed above
How to Apply
- Review the official Land and Soil Management Award page and past winners for examples of competitive projects.
- Prepare a clear project dossier describing your land/soil practices, results, and impact.
- Submit via the ELO award process by 31 January 2027 (see the official page for the current submission route).
- Questions for the award coordinator: emmanuelle.mikosz@elo.org.
ELO office: 67 rue de Trèves, 1040 Brussels · Tel. +32 (0)2 234 30 00.
Official Links
Land and Soil Management Award 2026/2027 - European Landowners’ Organization
European Landowners’ Organization (ELO)
Award coordinator: emmanuelle.mikosz@elo.org
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the application deadline?
31 January 2027.
What does the winner receive?
€5,000 and a diploma of recognition; the project is promoted as European good practice.
When is the award ceremony?
At the Forum for the Future of Agriculture on 20 April 2027.
Who can apply?
Europe-based farmers, landowners, land managers, and farmer groups - alone or with research institutes, universities, or companies.
Where do I apply?
Through the official ELO page: europeanlandowners.org/awards/land-and-soil/.
