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

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Practical Guidance for Sustainable Strategies

The Business Model Canvas (BMC) for Soil Living Labs (LLs) and Lighthouses (LHs) was developed by the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL) under the EU funded project PREPSOIL. It 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.

Share Your Expertise

To enrich the catalogue with new, practical insights, we invite soil experts, Mission Soil projects, Living Lab practitioners, and related initiatives to share their experiences and examples connected to key BMC elements and intervention areas. You can contribute your inputs and insights through this link.

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.

 

40% of arable land suffering from soil erosion

Agriculture
Environmental Factors

A percentage from production

Common to all LLs
Cross Financing

Academia and vocational education

Common to all LLs
Research Institutions, Academia

Acknowledge cultural identity, ownership, and a sense of belonging to an area

Agriculture
Collaborations & Partnerships

Activities at canteens and restaurants (e.g. menu with farmers)

Urban
Engagement Activities

Activities at canteens and restaurants (e.g. menu with farmers)

Agriculture
Engagement Activities

Activities at canteens and restaurants (e.g. menu with farmers)

Forestry
Engagement Activities

Adapt forest management to climate change (drought, excessive water, fire) with diversification

Forestry
Economic, Policy & Regulatory Support

Additional tools for on farm demo activities and events

Variable Costs
Agriculture

Additional tools for on farm demo activities and events

Variable Costs
Forestry

Additional tools for on farm demo activities and events

Variable Costs
Forestry

Address key soil health related problems considering circular economy (e.g. implementing a system that converts agricultural waste - such as crop residues and animal manure - into organic fertilizers through composting and anaerobic digestion)

Common to soil LLs
Environmental Sustainability