Catalogue of Real-World Business Model Insights for Soil LLs and LHs

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.   []

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.

 

High energy costs for green houses

(Post-)Industrial land use type
Economic, Policy and Regulatory Barriers

Historical waste deposits and contaminated sites can pose risks to their surroundings such as densely populated areas, ecosystems and cop production on arable land

(Post-)Industrial land use type
Environmental Factors

Combination of challenges related to multifunctionality of land use and variability of challenges (e.g. contamination, resource use, sealing of land, etc. under the pressures of climate change)

(Post-)Industrial land use type
Environmental Factors

Degradation of soil health and reduction of agricultural productivity due to poor water management practices by industrial activities, resulting in soil salinization and waterlogging

(Post-)Industrial land use type
Social & Behavioural Factors

Negative social and environmental impacts due to industrial activities causing contamination and degradation, including reduced agricultural productivity and health risks to local communities

(Post-)Industrial land use type
Social & Behavioural Factors

Reduce soil pollution by mitigating negative externalities (e.g. pollution, contaminations, emission) and enhance restoration

(Post-)Industrial land use type
Environmental Sustainability

Conserve and increase soil organic stocks

(Post-)Industrial land use type
Environmental Sustainability

Reduce the EU global footprint on soils

(Post-)Industrial land use type
Environmental Sustainability

Transit to healthy soils to facilitate the restoration of the natural system, and thereby its potential to deliver ecosystem services

(Post-)Industrial land use type
Environmental Sustainability

Use green, gentle and sustainable remediation

(Post-)Industrial land use type
Research & Development

Use nature-based solutions and de-sealing where possible to limit excessive heat and rainfall

(Post-)Industrial land use type
Research & Development

Stop soil sealing and increase reuse of urban soils

(Post-)Industrial land use type
Economic, Policy & Regulatory Support