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. [Click here to read more]
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:
In this page, you'll find a filterable catalogue of insights linked to specific BMC elements and spheres of intervention. You can browse by:
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.
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.
A deeper dive into the methodology and development process behind the BMC.
Detailed instructions and guiding questions for completing each section of the canvas.
Balance land use: avoiding the overutilization of land close to the villages/cities while in remote areas they are abandoned
Behaviours and habits of individuals that negatively affect soil health are difficult to change
Better water retention and reduced runoff, decreasing flood risks
Between 60 and 70% of EU soils are unhealthy
Bridge concrete stakes of urban users with practical solutions of different types of professionals, also in a cross-sectoral perspective
Brownfield land is extremely important for environmental and ecosystem quality and human health. Involving citizens, municipal administration, planners, land developers, researchers, and environmetal officers in the LL co-creation processses might help to optimize the re-use of land in a way that involves soil information, soil ecosystem services, and risk management in the planning
Building/construction professionals (e.g. civil engineers, architects, real state), GIS specialists, urban planners
Bureaucracy and complex regulatory frameworks to secure funding
CAP advisors
CAP advisors
Changes in land management (new ways to reduce livestocks, number and making farm still profitable, fair subsidies, carbon farming, etc.)
Changes in market preferences (increase the price of animal products that are almost organic with animal welfare, labelling, etc.)