About the project

MEDSOILS – CHALLENGE

Introduction

The MEDSOILS CHALLENGE project arises from the urgent need to address the complex and interconnected challenges that soils face in the Mediterranean region, exacerbated by climate change. This project aims to develop a new generation of soil experts equipped with interdisciplinary training and an integrated approach to designing and implementing innovative and sustainable long-term solutions.

Mobility: learning through experience across four countries

One of the most enriching aspects of the MEDSOILS CHALLENGE Master is its international mobility pathway, allowing students to experience soil science in real-life contexts across four different European countries.

Throughout the academic year, students will take part in four short-term mobility stays, each lasting approximately 5 to 7 days. These on-site periods are carefully scheduled between January and June 2027, providing a perfect complement to the online components of the programme.

The journey begins in Turkey 🇹🇷 (January 2027), where students will engage in hands-on fieldwork, including erosion assessments, sampling techniques and data collection in rural settings.

The second mobility takes place in Spain 🇪🇸 (February 2027), focusing on agro-environmental indicators and land evaluation. Here, participants will visit farms, take part in soil lab analyses and work alongside local experts and stakeholders.

In March, the group moves to Slovenia 🇸🇮, where attention shifts to soil governance, policy development and sustainable management practices. This stay includes seminars with policymakers, local organisations and applied case studies.

Finally, in Italy 🇮🇹 (June 2027), students will attend the programme’s closing conference, defend their final group projects, and participate in innovation-focused workshops hosted by the Università della Tuscia.

1. Online Preparation & Introductory Modules

When: October 2026 (4 weeks)

Where: Online (via the programme’s digital platform)

Activities:

  • Welcome sessions and orientation
  • Introduction to Mediterranean soils
  • Fundamental modules: GIS, remote sensing, and basics of soil science
  • Virtual team building and group activities
2. First Mobility: Italy (Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo)

When: January 2027 (approx. 2 weeks)

Where: Viterbo, Italy

Activities:

  • Social activities to encourage networking
  • Intensive face-to-face workshops on soil classification, soil mapping, and field sampling
  • Field visits in the Lazio region to examine typical Mediterranean soils
  • Group work and site-based exercises
  • Sessions on the role of Italian and European institutions in soil management
3. Second Mobility: Turkey (Adiyaman University)

When: February 2027 (approx. 2 weeks)

Where: Adiyaman, Turkey

Activities:

  • In-depth training on soil erosion, degradation processes, and conservation practices specific to the Mediterranean region
  • Fieldwork and practical demonstrations on-site
  • Workshops with local experts and stakeholders
  • Exploration of Turkish approaches to sustainable land management
  • Cultural activities to foster intercultural exchange
4. Third Mobility: Spain (University of Extremadura, Badajoz/Cáceres)

When: March 2027 (approx. 2 weeks)

Where: Extremadura, Spain

Activities:

  • Social integration and networking events
  • Hands-on modules on agro-environmental indicators, soil evaluation, and land management strategies
  • Field investigations in diverse agroecosystems
  • Collaborative projects with Spanish researchers and practitioners
  • Seminars on policy frameworks and the European Green Deal
5. Fourth Mobility: Slovenia (University of Ljubljana)

When: April 2027 (approx. 2 weeks)

Where: Ljubljana, Slovenia

Activities:

  • Training on soil policy, management, and monitoring tools
  • Practical sessions on soil quality assessment and ecosystem services
  • Visits to research stations and case study sites
  • Roundtables with policymakers and industry representatives
  • Closing workshops for sharing lessons learnt

6. Online Collaborative Work & Final Assignments

When: May–June 2027 (approx. 8 weeks)

Where: Online

Activities:

  • Ongoing assessment and feedback
  • Group projects with international peers
  • Online mentoring and progress monitoring
  • Preparation of final thesis or project work
7. Final Mobility: Italy (Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo)

When: July 2027 (approx. 1 week)

Where: Viterbo, Italy

Activities:

  • Final presentations and defence of thesis/project
  • International conference with experts and stakeholders
  • Awarding of certificates
  • Closing ceremony and networking
8. International Internship

When: Flexible, throughout the academic year (minimum 300 hours, 12 ECTS)

Where: Mediterranean region, hosted by selected organisations (can be performed in any of the partner countries)

Activities:

  • Practical work in research institutions, agencies or companies active in soil science
  • Real-world problem-solving and skill development
  • Supervised and evaluated by both university tutors and host organisations
  • Feedback and evaluation reports
Mobility Schedule Flowchart
Italy Viterbo
Jan 2027
Soil classification, mapping & fieldwork
Turkey Adiyaman
Feb 2027
Erosion, conservation, field visits
Spain Extremadura
Mar 2027
Agro indicators, soil evaluation, seminars
Slovenia Ljubljana
Apr 2027
Policy, monitoring, quality assessment
Online
May–Jun 2027
Projects, mentoring, thesis prep
Italy Viterbo
Jul 2027
Final defence, conference, certificates
Internship
Flexible
Practical training (min. 300 h) in any partner country