By addressing a specific request from the European Parliament, the European Commission (EC) Joint Research Centre (JRC) aims at enhancing the understanding of drought effects and impacts on soil productivity in the European Union (EU), more in general on soil health, and at looking at measures that can reduce the associated risks. Such evidence will contribute to shape the path of the EU towards building drought resilience and enhancing its preparedness. It will also contribute to the objectives of the recently launched Water Resilience Strategy.