This event supported the establishment and development of Mission Soil Living Labs and aimed to help prospective applicants prepare strong proposals for the 2026 funding opportunities dedicated to the setup of Mission Soil Living Labs. This online thematic engagement event focused on sustainable soil management practices, aiming to bridge scientific knowledge, practical implementation, and policy priorities, and - above all - help participants identify collaboration opportunities for consolidating consortia. SOILL-Stepup intended to provide applicants with an overview of the current Mission Soil funding opportunities and the SOILL support services available to them. The engagement event facilitated networking and consortium-consolidation through a structured pitching session. The event was primarily designed for stakeholders interested in applying to Mission Soil topics funding the establishment of Living Labs and Lighthouses. Regional and local authorities and public agencies working on land use, agriculture, environment, or climate action were thus welcome to join as researchers, universities, and applied research organisations. The event content was of interest for land managers and advisory services (farmers, cooperatives, foresters, planners), but also SMEs, start-ups, and innovation providers offering soil-relevant solutions, as well as NGOs, networks, and associations supporting sustainable land management. Participants gained practical insights into key soil management approaches and how they translated into Living Lab action. They also received clear guidance on how SOILL supports applicants (through tools such as the Helpdesk and the B2Match matchmaking platform) and had the opportunity to connect directly with potential partners.