Mission „Gesunde Böden“

1. We continue proven activities for soil protection
   The Austrian Agri-Environmental Programme (ÖPUL), established in 1995, has contributed significantly to improving the fertility of agricultural soils. Measures implemented by the federal provinces, the Chambers of Agriculture, and the initiatives of many individual farms highlight the high importance of soil protection in Austria. We aim to continue supporting these efforts to the fullest extent possible.

    

2. We aim to reduce land consumption and soil sealing
   Curbing additional land use and soil sealing is the core objective of the Soil Strategy for Austria, developed within the framework of ÖROK and adopted by the federal provinces in 2024. To achieve this goal, the strategy includes effective measures in the areas of “protection of open and green spaces,” “prevention of urban sprawl,” and “efficient inner development.”

3. We want to make information accessible to everyone
   Soil protection in Austria is promoted by various stakeholders at many levels. What is still missing is a shared platform that makes existing information easily accessible to all interested parties. To address this, established information services should be expanded and interconnected.

    

4. We consider soil monitoring essential
   Monitoring provides a crucial foundation for informed decision-making. The Mission „Gesunde Böden“ aims to focus on this topic in line with decisions taken at the EU level, particularly regarding the Soil Monitoring and Resilience Directive.

5. We strengthen awareness and deepen knowledge
   A key prerequisite for the sustainable management of soil is raising awareness of its importance for food security. Within the framework of the Mission „Gesunde Böden“, educational projects will be expanded and successful existing formats continued — both in schools and in extracurricular contexts.

    

6. We recommend a national research initiative on soil
   The implementation of the Mission should be supported through dedicated funding priorities that enable stakeholders to advance research, technology, and innovation in the field of soil.

7. We support stakeholders in project submissions
   To give Austrian institutions and actors a strong chance of successfully participating in European Mission Soil calls, they require targeted support at the national level.

    

8. We want to highlight good practice examples
   The success of the Mission „Gesunde Böden“ depends on the engagement of practitioners. Many innovative initiatives are already taking place across Austria. The goal is to bring experts and practitioners to the forefront, for example as active soil ambassadors, to showcase their best practices and inspire others.

A key objective of Austria’s Mission „Gesunde Böden“ is to connect and strengthen collaboration among the many actors already committed to soil protection. We invite you to join us in advancing the Mission „Gesunde Böden“ together!

At the European level, numerous projects — including several with Austrian participation — are continuously being funded. These can be found on the European Mission Soil Plattform. Are you interested in contributing to European Mission projects? Contact the FFG experts responsible for the respective europäischen Missionen.

Our Call to Action is addressed to local authorities, agricultural enterprises, private initiatives, spatial planners, research institutions and organizations from the agricultural and environmental sectors, as well as to other interested stakeholders and citizens.

Even the longest journey begins with a single step. We have defined the goals for the Mission, and now implementation will proceed step by step. This process requires the joint effort of many.

Write to us or give us a call — we would be happy to explore opportunities for collaboration and include you in our network.

• AGORA Green Deal
• Agrana
• Amt der Burgenländischen Landesregierung
• Amt der Kärntner Landesregierung
• Amt der Niederösterreichischen Landesregierung
• Amt der Oberösterreichischen Landesregierung
• Amt der Steiermärkischen Landesregierung
• Amt der Tiroler Landesregierung
• Arbeiterkammer Wien (AK Wien)
• Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT)
• Bio Austria
• Bioforschung Austria
• Bundeministerium für Frauen, Wissenschaft und Forschung (BMFWF)
• Bundesamt für Wasserwirtschaft (BAW)
• Bundesanstalt für Agrarwirtschaft und Bergbauernfragen (BAB)
• Bundesforschungszentrum für Wald (BFW)
• Bundesministerium für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Klima- und Umweltschutz, Regionen und Wasserwirtschaft (BMLUK)
• Fachverband der Chemischen Industrie Österreichs (FCIO/WKÖ)
• FFG
• FH Wels
• Forschungsinstitut für biologischen Landbau (FIBL)
• Grand Farm
• Höhere Bundeslehr- und Forschungsanstalt (HBLFA) Francisco Josephinum Francisco Wieselburg
• Höhere Bundeslehr- und Forschungsanstalt (HBLFA) für Landwirtschaft Raumberg-Gumpenstein
• Klimabündnis Österreich
• Land Salzburg
• Land Vorarlberg
• Ländliches Fortbildungsinstitut (LFI)
• Landwirtschaftliche Fachschule Hollabrunn (LFS Hollabrunn)
• Landwirtschaftskammer Niederösterreich
• Landwirtschaftskammer Oberösterreich
• Landwirtschaftskammer Österreich
  Landwirtschaftskammer Steiermark
• FH Wiener Neustadt
• Natur im Garten
• Netzwerk Zukunftsraum Land
• Österreichische Agentur für Gesundheit und Ernährungssicherheit (AGES)
• Österreichische Raumordnungskonferenz (ÖROK)
• Paris Lodron Universität Salzburg
• Ressourcenplanung Salzburg (Verein)
• Stadt Wien (MA 22)
• Technische Universität Graz (TU Graz)
• Technische Universität Wien (TU Wien)
• Umweltbundesamt
• Umweltdachverband
• Umweltinstitut des Landes Vorarlberg
• Universität für Bodenkultur Wien (BOKU)
• Universität Wien
• Wirtschaftskammer Österreich (WKÖ)
• Zentrum für Soziale Innovation (ZSI)