The EU-funded SOILPROM project, carried out by 12 partner organisations across Europe and coordinated by Wageningen University (WU), started on the 1st of September 2024 and focuses on better understanding fate and transport of soil pollutants and upgrading simulation models, linking different environmental compartments.

Aside from project management and dissemination of results, the first 18 months of work on the project consisted of:

  1. Identifying pollutant process knowledge gaps (D1.2),
  2. Implementing monitoring programs across 9 different soil pollution use-cases, und building related stakeholder networks,
  3. Improving pollutant simulation models, linking soil, plant, water and atmosphere compartments (D1.4), and
  4. Designing the structure and functionalities of a soil modelling platform and related decision support system (WP2).

During the panel review assessment meeting, the scientific progress of the project was presented by the overall project coordinator, and the respective work package leaders. The presentation was followed by extensive discussions with the panel review members on project’s approach, ambitions, and objectives.

Alle 10 project deliverables und 11 milestones scheduled for the first 18 months of the project were achieved well on time. Furthermore, no deviations of importance occurred during the first reporting period of the project, both scientifically and financially.

At the end of the meeting, it was concluded by the EC project officer and the external review members that project progress was expected as planned, and congratulations were shared with the participating project partners.

In sum, it was a very constructive and positive outcome of our first SOILPROM assessment. We are proud of all partner’s efforts and the collective work that has been achieved so far!

Mahrooz Rezaei, Overall Project Coordinator

Coen Ritsema, Scientific Project Coordinator