Soybean is not only a major source of protein for food and feed worldwide but also, by interaction with nitrogen (N)-fixing rhizobia in the root nodules, a sustainable alternative for N fertilizers. The growing global demand for plant-based protein, coupled with the need to reduce reliance on imports from deforestation-prone areas, drives expansion of soybean cultivation into higher latitudes. Indeed, to meet European demands for sustainable soybean products, production must extend to north-western regions of the continent. However, existing soybean varieties and commercial rhizobia inoculants are not adapted to these environmental conditions, resulting in insufficient nodulation and consequently inconsistent high-protein bean yields. Our goal is to identify the soybean-rhizobia matches most suitable for high-latitude regions of North-western Europe. We will achieve this through in field screening and detailed assessment of the performance of best matches under adverse environmental conditions. Our research will uncover the genomic regions governing efficient nodulation through GWAS analysis in soybeans and explore the potential of native plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as helper strains. Additionally, we will conduct comprehensive analyses of efficient interactions using (meta)transcriptomics in nodules. ILVO possesses the EUCLEG collection of soybean genotypes tailored for North-western European breeding, while the Goormachtig lab has isolated indigenous rhizobia from gardens across Flanders through a citizen science project. By combining our resources, we will pinpoint the optimal soybean-rhizobia combinations, gain profound insights into the genetic underpinnings of these interactions, and uncover PGPRs that enhance the symbiotic relationship. Our project paves the way for sustainable high-protein soybean production in North-western Europe, with the potential to benefit high-latitude regions worldwide.