Background In the river Po plain, the organic carbon stock stored in soils varies from 34-60 tonnes per hectare (t/ha). The potential for further uptake if soils are managed appropriately is estimated to be at least 12.8 t/ha of CO2 equivalent. Furthermore, increasing the organic content of soil improves the physical and chemical qualities of soils, leading to enhanced fertility and better absorption of nutrients. This helps ensure that crops can resist environmental stresses, reduces erosion and soil susceptibility to compaction, improves the ability of soils to act as a filter and buffer against pollutants, and boosts soil biodiversity. Better soil management can therefore contribute significantly to increasing the resilience of terrestrial ecosystems in the face of climate change. Objectives The HelpSoil project will test and demonstrate innovative solutions and soil management practices to improve soil quality, and to make agricultural systems more resilient against climate change. The project will cover the whole Po plain (an area of some 46 000 km2) and the Alpine and Apennine foot-hills. Specific project objectives include: Implementing practices to improve the ecological functions of soil - organic carbon sequestration, soil fertility and biodiversity, protection against erosion - in a number of farms, with the goal of increasing agricultural sustainability and competitiveness; Integrating conservation practices and innovative techniques in order to Increase the efficiency of irrigation; improve the efficiency of fertilisers, in particular livestock manure; and limit the use of pesticides. The project will also develop indicators of soil ecosystem functions and new techniques to assess the environmental benefits of the practices tested by the project. Expected results: It is expected that the introduction of farm management practices based on the principles of conservation agriculture will achieve the following results: An increase in the organic carbon content of soil of 0.2-0.7 t/ha/yr; Enhancement of the biological fertility of soil; Less soil erosion; A reduction in greenhouse gases and ammonia emissions; More efficient use of irrigation water and fertilisers; Sustainable use of pesticides; Reduction by 60-70% of fossil fuel consumption for soil works; Enhanced adaptation to climate change of agricultural systems; Greater eco-efficiency and competitiveness of agricultural systems; and Greater stability of crop yields, despite increased climatic variability. In addition, the project will also draft technical guidelines based on its results and adapted to different climatic conditions and cropping systems.