The soil collage 

• 50 printable cards (A4 format)
• scissors, paperboards, felt-tip pens, any other desired creative materials
• optional: soil samples

All materials (description, cards, and facilitation guide...) are freely available for download from the ADEME and FAO websites in the six FAO languages. The material can be printed with a standard printer.

The 1-hour Soil Collage activity is a simplified version of the full workshop, designed so that a professor or facilitator with no prior soil expertise can run it. Participants work in groups to explore what soil is, how it functions, the services it provides, the threats it faces and possible solutions. Full step-by-step instructions can be used and available in the Facilitation Guide.

• Welcome and set-up (5 min) – The professor explains the purpose of the activity and forms groups of 5 to 8 students around a table or a large paper board.
• What is soil? (12 min) – Students discover and place the first set of cards (soil components) and connect them together through discussion.
• How do soils work? (13 min) – The professor introduces the next set of cards (soil functions); students connect them to the previous cards.
• Ecosystem services and threats (25 min) – Students discover a selection of cards on ecosystem services and threats and connect them to complete the board.
• Step back and name the collage (5 min) – Students take a step back and collectively choose a title that sums up what the board shows. The group takes a photo of the finished collage for the contest submission.

Based on what they have learned, students identify one soil-related issue on or around their campus and propose a simple, realistic action to address it. The activity can be completed immediately after the Soil Collage, during a later session or as group work outside class.

Students should briefly answer four simple questions:

1. What is the soil issue?
2. Where is it and why does it matter?
3. What could we do about it?
4. How would this action help the soil?

Examples of possible questions (non-exhaustive, to be adapted to local context) include:

• Identify one specific, localised soil-related issue on their campus (for example: compacted soil, a sealed/impermeable area, a poorly maintained green space, low soil biodiversity, or food served in the school/university canteen sourced from practices that degrade soils...).
• Describe where the issue is located, what was observed, and why it matters for soil health, drawing on the cards discussed during the workshop.
• Propose one to three realistic actions that students could help implement, and briefly indicate who could take part (students, student associations, campus administration, etc.).
• Concrete implementation of the proposed action(s) is encouraged whenever possible, but is not required within the short time available. A well-argued, realistic written plan is a valid submission on its own. Examples of possible actions (non-exhaustive, to be adapted to local context) include:• Low effort: awareness panels near a campus green space; mapping degraded or sealed soil areas (photos, field notes); an information stand at a student event.
• Moderate effort: a shared compost bin to return organic matter to the soil; partial de-sealing and planting of a paved area; marked pathways to reduce trampling; a pesticide-free green space charter proposed to campus management.
• Higher effort (requires campus approval): a teaching garden or living-soil test plot; a rainwater harvesting project to limit erosion; a partnership with campus technical services to amend degraded soils a partnership with campus to change canteen sourced food...

Each group submits one entry, either directly or through its teacher/facilitator.

1. One or more photos of the completed Soil Collage.
   
2. A short description (maximum 500 words) answering the four questions:
   • What is the soil issue? 
   • Where is it and why does it matter? 
   • What action(s) do you propose? 
   • How will they help the soil? 
   
3. Optional: a short video, drawing, photo, soil observation or other creative output.

Submissions may be provided in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, or Spanish. Guidance will be provided for safe and ethical photo use.

How to submit
Teachers or facilitators submit the group’s entry through a short online form, including:

• University/institution name
• Country
• Contact email
• Name of the group/team
• Photos of the Soil Collage
• Short description of the proposed soil action
• Optional creative material
• Acceptance of participation term

All shortlisted candidates will receive a certificate of recognition.

Shortlisted participants will also receive a selection of FAO-branded gadgets.

Regional finalists and the global winner will be announced during the official World Soil Day 2026 celebration on 5 December.

Selected entries may also be featured on FAO/GSP and partner communication channels.