🌱 CROSSING TERRITORIES: COMMON ROUTES - Rethinking soil democracy, from local realities to shared commitments

🌱 CROSSING TERRITORIES: COMMON ROUTES - Rethinking soil democracy, from local realities to shared commitments

What does it take for communities to have a real say in the future of their land? And what role can partnerships between Africa and Europe play in making this possible?

These questions shaped our second exchange, bringing together experiences from Nigeria, Niger, Malawi and the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. Across these different territories, the discussion connected the everyday realities of farming and soil degradation with broader questions of land rights, participation, funding and the relationships between communities and the institutions that influence their lives.

Farmers are dealing with declining soil fertility, erosion, water scarcity and increasingly difficult growing conditions. In Nigeria, acidic soils and severe gully erosion are affecting agricultural land, while limited resources make it difficult for farmers to respond. In Malawi, the loss of fertile topsoil and declining maize yields are putting pressure on livelihoods, with the rising cost of chemical fertilisers adding to the challenge. In Niger, sandy soils and limited rainfall make it difficult to retain water and maintain soil fertility. Yet farmers are already working with their land in ways that offer valuable lessons, from zaï pits and half-moons to composting, manure application and the protection of naturally growing trees.

These experiences reminded us that solutions already exist within communities, even when the means to put them into practice remain limited. Access to suitable tools, soil testing, practical training, appropriate fertilisers and long-term support can help farmers build on what they already know and adapt restoration practices to their own conditions. The discussion also highlighted the importance of farmer field schools and knowledge-sharing platforms where practical experience can circulate between communities.

In Kakuma, the conversation raised difficult questions about land access and the position of refugees. People may depend on the land and have a strong interest in restoring their environment while facing restrictions on ownership, documentation, funding and participation. Recognising refugees as active partners in soil restoration means creating real opportunities for them to contribute their knowledge, shape local initiatives and take part in decisions, with particular attention to women and young people. Their ability to participate in environmental action is closely linked to their access to resources, employment and decision-making.

These realities brought us back to the meaning of soil democracy. Communities need secure land rights, protection against disputes and harmful practices, and a genuine role in decisions about how their territories are managed. Small-scale farmers, women and young people must be able to influence the policies that affect their livelihoods. Governments have an important responsibility to protect land and soil, while ensuring that the people who depend on them are included in decisions about their future.

The session also led to a set of mandates to be presented to other mediterranean COP members during our upcoming Soilathon and to be discussed deeply with European institutiosn and organizations during our CROSSING TERRITORIES third session. Participants called for more direct funding for African organisations and community-led initiatives, simpler application procedures for smaller and youth-led organisations, and greater investment in communities most affected by soil degradation. They also called for stronger African institutions, long-term support for local initiatives, and funding arrangements that enable communities to lead their own work rather than depend indefinitely on external programmes.

A recurring theme was the need to rethink how partnerships between Africa and Europe are built. Cooperation should be based on equal relationships, shared responsibility and mutual trust, with African communities and institutions involved in defining priorities, designing projects and evaluating their results. Funding and research should respond to local realities, with commitments followed through and resources reaching the people and organisations doing the work.

And this exchange also turned the question of knowledge around. What can Africa teach Europe? Farmers and communities across the continent have developed valuable knowledge about water conservation, soil fertility, drought adaptation and land restoration. These experiences can offer lessons for European territories facing similar pressures, particularly in southern Europe. The discussion called for genuine two-way knowledge exchange between African and European farmers, researchers and communities, recognising local and Indigenous knowledge alongside scientific research. Technologies and agricultural practices should be developed together with farmers, taking into account local soils, climates, infrastructure and the resources people can realistically access.

The conversation also challenged some persistent assumptions about Africa: that the continent has a single story, that it is only a victim of climate change, or that knowledge and solutions must come from Europe. Nigeria, Niger, Malawi and Kenya each face distinct realities, and the experience shared during the session showed the importance of recognising both these differences and the expertise that exists within communities.

The aim is to build partnerships in which African communities are recognised as knowledge holders, decision-makers and leaders of their own initiatives, while European institutions contribute through fair funding, collaboration and shared learning. This also means investing in soil education, practical restoration methods, accessible technologies and the long-term capacity of local organisations, while addressing the underlying causes of degradation, from erosion and deforestation to declining fertility and water scarcity.

Soil democracy connects the health of the land with the rights, knowledge and livelihoods of the people who depend on it. The discussion opened up a broader reflection on how decisions are made, how resources are distributed and how cooperation can help communities shape their own futures.

💬 What role can the EU play in supporting soil health and local communities across Africa?

💬 What would a truly equal partnership between African and European communities look like in your territory, and what could each learn from the other?

CALL TO ACTION: If your organisation works on soil health, agriculture or community development in Europe or the Mediterranean, what experience, knowledge or practical solutions could you share to support African communities facing similar challenges?

Share your perspective and continue the conversation on SoilTribes Commons:

👉 https://commons.soiltribes.eu/assemblies/routesroots/f/75/debates/19