Sunk investments in unsustainable practices
Common to all LLs
Economic, Policy and Regulatory Barriers
Practical Guidance for Sustainable Strategies
The PREPSOIL Business Model Canvas (BMC) for Soil Living Labs (LLs) and Lighthouses (LHs) is a tailor-made tool created to support these initiatives in designing strategies for long-term stability. Built with the specific needs of Soil LLs and LHs in mind, the canvas offers a structured yet flexible framework to guide decision-making and communicate value to stakeholders. [Click here to read more]
Real-World Insights, Rooted in Practice
As part of the PREPSOIL process, practical insights were gathered across a range of activities supporting LL and LH business model development. These examples reflect the lived experience of LLs and have been mapped to the various elements of the BMC.
To help users navigate this knowledge, the insights have been classified based on their relevance:
- Common to all LLs – insights that apply regardless of the LL’s theme or land use context
- Common to Soil LLs – applicable to any LL focused on soil-related challenges
- Land use-specific – tailored for LLs working in agriculture, forestry, (post-)industrial, or (peri-)urban settings
Explore the Filterable Catalogue
In this page, you'll find a filterable catalogue of insights linked to specific BMC elements and spheres of intervention. You can browse by:
- Land Use Focus – agriculture, forestry, (post-)industrial, or (peri-)urban
- Element – e.g., Key Stakeholders, Value Proposition, Revenue Streams
- Sphere of Intervention – thematic focus within each element
For example, an agricultural LL looking for real-world insights of private sector engagement can select “Agriculture” under the Focus filter, and “Private Sector” under the 4. Key Stakeholders element.
These insights are intended to guide and inspire LLs and LHs as they build their own business models—recognizing that each lab’s ambition, capacity, and local context is unique.
Projects funded under the EU Mission Soil initiative should also ensure that their business models reflect the objectives outlined in the Mission Soil Implementation Plan, as well as the land use type they aim to address. This focus is essential for shaping effective and sustainable strategies.
Additional Resources
PREPSOIL Report on LL/LH Business Model Plans (D4.2)
A deeper dive into the methodology and development process behind the BMC.
Business Model Canvas for Soil Living Labs and Lighthouses: A Guide for Users
Detailed instructions and guiding questions for completing each section of the canvas.
Bureaucracy and complex regulatory frameworks to secure funding
Common to all LLs
Economic, Policy and Regulatory Barriers
Lack of evidence-based data proved by R&D results
Common to all LLs
Research & Knowledge gaps
The EU CAP does not take into account the particular and local characteristics and needs of different territories and regions
Common to soil LLs
Economic, Policy and Regulatory Barriers
Cost of soil sampling
Common to soil LLs
Economic, Policy and Regulatory Barriers
Between 60 and 70% of EU soils are unhealthy
Common to soil LLs
Environmental Factors
Climate change (pollution, floods, heat waves, etc.)
Common to soil LLs
Environmental Factors
Land scarcity
Common to soil LLs
Environmental Factors
Behaviours and habits of individuals that negatively affect soil health are difficult to change
Common to soil LLs
Social & Behavioural Factors
Complexity to address soil health issues due to path dependencies
Common to soil LLs
Economic, Policy and Regulatory Barriers
Invasive plant species outcompete native vegetation, leading to soil degradation and reduced biodiversity
Agricultural land use type
Environmental Factors
Reduced yields caused by low biodiversity, compaction of soil, reduced humus layer, and erosions
Agricultural land use type
Environmental Factors