SoilTribes microgrant project | PAAT

BioPalette: When
Soil Becomes
Colour

An EU-funded art-science project by PAAT that transforms hidden soil health processes into bio-based living prints, public workshops and open tools for soil literacy.

BioPalette makes the living system beneath our feet visible and lovable. Through bio-based inks, recycled papers, print-lab workshops and travelling micro-exhibitions, the project turns soil degradation and restoration into colour, pattern and participation.

What is BioPalette?

Soil degradation is often invisible: pollution, salinity, compaction, erosion and declining organic matter happen beneath the surface. BioPalette translates these processes into visual artworks called living prints. Each print is paired with a story card and QR-linked micro-lesson so citizens can understand soil health and take practical action.

Data-to-colour grammar

Salinity
Hue gradients

Organic carbon
Tone depth

Compaction
Line density

Pollution
Layered overprints

How it works

Collect soil stories

The project starts from local soil challenges and simple indicators: salinity, organic carbon, compaction, pollution and restoration practices such as composting, mulching and ground cover.

Translate data into colour

A simple data-to-colour grammar maps soil indicators to visual forms: salinity becomes hue gradients, organic carbon becomes tone depth, compaction becomes line density and pollution becomes layered overprints.

Print, learn and act

Citizens, teachers and facilitators co-create living prints using safe plant and microbial pigments. Workshops transform soil science into hands-on learning and soil-friendly behaviour pledges.

Project activities

BioPalette combines awareness, capacity-building, participatory processes and artistic prototyping.

Bio-Ink Prototypes

Development of safe plant and microbial pigment formulas linked to soil health and restoration narratives.

Living Prints

Creation of evolving printed artworks on recycled papers using stamping, silkscreen and monotype techniques.

Micro-Exhibitions

Travelling displays for schools, libraries, cultural venues and public spaces, supported by story cards and QR micro-lessons.

Print-Lab Workshops

Hands-on workshops where citizens, youth and teachers create soil stories and learn practical restoration actions.

Teacher and Facilitator Training

Capacity-building sessions and ready-to-use lesson plans for educators, cultural mediators and municipal staff.

Open Replication Pack

A public package with protocols, bill of materials, safety notes, templates and guidance for European uptake.

Expected results

people reached in person

+ 0

workshop participants

+ 0

citizen soil pledges

+ 0

6-month timeline

Inception and Co-design

Governance, ethics, KPIs, procurement and project handbook.

Bio-Ink Prototyping

Formula testing, visual grammar, safety protocols and kit design.

Content and User Testing

Story cards, tutorial scripts, educator testing and communications pack.

Pilot Activations

Micro-exhibitions, pop-ups, workshops and first engagement metrics.

Iteration and Replication

Kit refinement, translation, open licensing and partner pipeline.

Final Showcase and Close-out

Final showcase, M&E report, policy note, replication pack and sustainability plan.

EU funding acknowledgement

Interested in hosting BioPalette?

Are you a school, library, cultural venue, municipality or community group interested in bringing BioPalette to your space? PAAT is building a network of local hosts and facilitators for workshops, micro-exhibitions and future replication.