Heavy foot traffic and improper waste disposal from ecotourism activities compact soil and introduce pollutants, degrading soil health
Forestry land use type
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.
Invasive plant species outcompete native vegetation, leading to soil degradation and reduced biodiversity
Forestry land use type
Environmental Factors
Resilience on monocultures as pests are increasing in coniferous monocultural production systems
Forestry land use type
Environmental Factors
Reduce desertification
Forestry land use type
Environmental Sustainability
Conserve soil organic carbon stocks
Forestry land use type
Environmental Sustainability
Consider watershed relationships in agricultural and urban water management (irrigation, drainage)
Forestry land use type
Environmental Sustainability
Invent new energy sources
Forestry land use type
Research & Development
Implement erosion prevention techniques to stabilize the soil and prevent nutrients loss (e.g. reforestation, planting cover crops, constructing terraces, and maintaining riparian buffers)
Forestry land use type
Research & Development
Adapt forest management to climate change (drought, excessive water, fire) with diversification
Forestry land use type
Economic, Policy & Regulatory Support
Maintain ecosystem services provided by forest soils, essential for sustainable forest management
Forestry land use type
Economic, Policy & Regulatory Support
Increase energy independence of farmers' own solar panels (e.g. small energy generators)
Forestry land use type
Economic, Policy & Regulatory Support
Additional tools for on farm demo activities and events
Variable Costs
Forestry land use type