On Thursday, February 27, 2025, the first workshop within the SUS-SOIL project was held at the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences. The workshop was organized by the University of Sarajevo, specifically in cooperation between the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences and the Faculty of Forestry.

The total number of participants was 63, of which 35% were landowners/managers, 25% from academia, 25.8% from public administration, and 12.9% from the industry. The workshop was rated as highly successful, bringing together a wide range of participants, including representatives from the municipalities of Bugojno, Živinice, and Ilidža, the academic community, decision-makers, civil society, industry, and agricultural producers.

During the workshop, the key objectives and expected outcomes of the project were presented, emphasizing the importance of an innovative and integrated approach to overcoming challenges in land management in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The need for connecting with research centers in the EU and beyond was also highlighted. The adopted methodological approach for selecting soil sampling locations and the methods to be used for analyzing collected samples were presented. Additionally, the significance of involving all stakeholders and establishing infrastructure to integrate local users, decision-makers, the scientific community, and industry representatives into the process of integrated land management and associated ecosystems was discussed.

All participants expressed satisfaction with the presented activities and goals of the project, highlighting its importance for improving land management in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

During the workshop, participants had the opportunity to actively engage and share their views on the business aspects of land management, soil health, and the development of a digital web platform, which will be an integral part of the SUS-SOIL project and the Living Lab that will be established as one of its outcomes. This platform plays a crucial role in ensuring the exchange of information and data in a simple and visually accessible format, facilitating decision-making and improving soil resource monitoring.

It was concluded that the "Living Lab" approach enables collaboration between scientists, decision-makers, industry, and community representatives for sustainable land management. Furthermore, integrated management of agricultural, forest, and urban land is essential for ecosystem preservation and achieving climate goals. Within the "Living Lab," the developed digital platform and precise monitoring systems will help optimize land use and support data-driven decision-making, ensuring long-term sustainability.

Participants agreed that the next steps will include organizing workshops in each of the participating municipalities between May and June 2025. The aim is to precisely define soil sampling procedures, select research locations, and establish demo sites with experimental trials in accordance with project criteria.

It was emphasized that the collaboration between the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Sarajevo lays the foundation for integrated and innovative solutions based on concrete research. Given the importance of environmental protection, the project aims to include activities not only on agricultural land but also on forest and urban soils. The participation of the Institute for Agropedology, the leading institution for soil monitoring in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is particularly significant, as its scientific and professional support significantly strengthens the project’s capacities.

All participants stressed the importance of continuing and expanding this approach in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a particular focus on ensuring continuous soil monitoring and improving sustainable land management in accordance with the principles of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN). It is expected that the knowledge gained and practices implemented through this project will serve as a model for wider application across the country. This will enhance efforts to preserve soil resources, improve ecosystem conditions, and strengthen the ecosystem services that contribute to the quality of life of citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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