ECHO: Bridging Citizen Participation and Scientific Analysis in Soil Health

ECHO is a Research and Innovation Action co-funded by the EU under Horizon Europe and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Running from June 2023 to May 2027, ECHO engages European citizens in soil health by raising awareness, generating data, and fostering stewardship. It complements existing soil monitoring efforts while empowering citizens in data collection and decision-making.

Built on three principles—engaging citizens in soil protection, empowering them with knowledge, and enabling their participation in policy—ECHO develops inclusive citizen science initiatives across Europe. The project addresses cultural and language differences, with 28 initiatives assessing 16,500 sites.

A key outcome is ECHOREPO, an open-access data repository benefiting scientists, policymakers, landowners, and the public. ECHO promotes engagement through an interactive platform, an Ambassador network, and the ECHO app. It provides educational materials and creative collaborations to enhance public participation. ECHO collects data on eight key soil health indicators, including pollutants, soil organic carbon, structure, nutrients, pH, biodiversity, vegetation cover, and landscape heterogeneity. Citizens use the ECHO app to record GPS data, photos, and assess soil health. Two additional samples undergo laboratory analysis for microbial diversity and heavy metal content. The app also supports real-time data recording, geolocation tracking, and interaction between Ambassadors and participants.

By 2027, ECHO will expand to all EU countries, providing low-cost tools and standardized protocols. While simplified methods may introduce variability, comparative assessments will refine data integration. Ultimately, ECHO aims to enhance citizen science credibility in environmental monitoring, supporting informed soil health policies and sustainable land management.