On 30 May 2024 the first initiation meeting for the establishment of a National Node for Sustainable Soil Management Practices in Bulgaria was held. The meeting was held remotely.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Academy of Agriculture and its institutes, representatives of agricultural universities, representatives of acting operational groups and the national AKIS coordination unit. What unites the participants in the meeting is the expertise that each of them has in the field of sustainable soil management - developments, collaborations, relationship building between different actors and the desire to exchange knowledge, support each other and work together.

The event is the initiating event for the establishment of the National Hub and precedes the meeting to be organised in September 2024. It was more exploratory in nature and participants presented their experiences and practices they are working on.

The meeting included a presentation on the project and two practices developed by operational groups relevant to sustainable soil management.

In the form of a discussion, an exchange of information on identified needs and barriers faced by participants was initiated:

- Lessons learnt from the establishment of operational groups and the implementation of innovative projects under the RDP 2014-2020 - sharing of information by representatives of operational groups and the ACIS National Coordination Unit

- Improved cooperation between different actors - how an idea and/or problem can be developed into an innovative practice;

- Enhanced opportunities to test innovative practices - support tools, knowledge and skills;

- Relevant measures of future activities and support mechanisms - how Soil-X-Change, Soil-X-Change Net and the National Hub can be useful.

In conclusion:

The Soil-X-Change project has the potential to contribute to increasing knowledge about soil health and to the implementation of sustainable soil management practices.

Increased interest from representatives of scientific organisations and participants in operational groups to support the planned actions of the project and to share practices they are working on.

Representatives of the AKIS coordination body have also expressed their support.

Participants expressed the view that at the September meeting, which will be organized within the project and which will be attended, the opportunities for meaningful dialogue and for sharing experiences and practices on sustainable soil management will be wider and more meaningful.

In addition to research institutes and agricultural universities, invitations for the September meeting will be sent to farmers' associations, young and active farmers and more operational groups will be given the opportunity to participate.