Interreg Euro-MED Project Euro-MED0601855 CARBON 4 SOIL QUALITY PLUS - An Interreg Euro-MED project that aims to advance sustainable soil management through carbon farming

CARBON 4 SOIL QUALITY PLUS (C4SQ+) is an Interreg Euro-MED testing project that builds on the results of the CARBON 4 SOIL QUALITY study phase. Its main objective is to test and validate carbon farming practices under diverse Mediterranean agroecological conditions and support their wider adoption to improve soil quality, increase soil organic matter and contribute to climate change mitigation.

Building on the knowledge, methodologies and recommendations developed during the study phase, the project moves from research to practice through pilot activities implemented across seven Mediterranean countries. Project partners will test different carbon farming techniques in real-life conditions, monitor their effects on soil quality and carbon sequestration, and evaluate their environmental, social and economic impacts.

Particular attention will be given to the development and validation of carbon farming socio-economic models, the establishment of Carbon Farming Living Labs, the engagement of farmers, advisors and other stakeholders, and the creation of practical decision-support tools. Based on the results of the pilot activities, the project will deliver a Mediterranean Carbon Farming Technique Catalogue, a web-based Decision Support Tool, Guidelines for Carbon Farming Socio-Economic Models, training materials, and a Transnational Carbon Farming Strategy to support the wider uptake of carbon farming across the Mediterranean region.

The project brings together nine partners from Slovenia, Italy, Greece, Spain, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Cyprus. The University of Padova participates in the project through the Department of Agronomy, Animals, Food, Natural Resources and Environment (DAFNAE), which coordinates the Work Package dedicated to the selection, testing and monitoring of carbon farming techniques. Among its main contributions, DAFNAE will oversee the preparation of the Catalogue of the Most Appropriate Carbon Farming Techniques for Different Mediterranean Pedoclimatic Zones, complementing soil analyses with spectroscopic measurements carried out in its own laboratories. The department will also support the Italian partner in managing the local Living Lab and will be responsible for the project's communication activities in Italy.

Principal Investigator: Prof. Morari Francesco - Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment – Padua University

Project Duration:01/05/2026 - 31/07/2028

Project Partner:

1. Agricultural Institute of Slovenia KIS - Slovenija (SI)
2. University of Padova UNIPD – Italia (IT)
3. Institute for Sustainable Development ISD - Slovenija (SI)
4. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki - School of Agriculture AUTH - Elláda (EL)
5. Ri.nova Cooperative Society RI.NOVA - Italia (IT)
6. University Ss. Cyril and Methodius - Institute of Agriculture IAS – Severna Makedonija (MK)
7. University of Montenegro, Biotechical Faculty UCG - Crna Gora (ME)
8. Centre of Ecological Research and Forestry Applications CREAF - España (ES)
9. Eratosthenes Center of Excellence ECoE - Kýpros (CY)

Project funded by the Interreg Euro-MED Programme