Novasoil is an EU project dedicated to “Innovative business models for soil health”, it is paving the way for innovative solutions by creating sustainable business models that protect and restore soil health.
The final project meeting was held on 28 October 2025 in a hybrid format in Brussels and online. It aimed to present a general overview of the final results of the activities carried out during the thirty-six months of the project.
The NOVASOIL digital solutions
- NOVASOIL Tool-Box: The project’s main Key Exploitable Result, an open-source Digital Decision-Support System designed to promote soil health incentives. This modular, user-friendly platform integrates analytical tools, databases, and visualization features to evaluate the technical, economic, and environmental viability of innovative soil health business models. By entering local data (soil type, climate, market, policies), users such as farmers, investors, and advisors receive tailored recommendations on the most suitable models (e.g., carbon farming, ecosystem service payments).
- Business models co-designed with key actors: A collaborative, multi-actor methodology engaging researchers, farmers, industry, financial experts, and policymakers to co-create and test practical soil health business models. This iterative process ensures models are scientifically robust, socially accepted, economically viable, and ready for real-world application.
- Policy Recommendations: A set of policy briefs, consultation reports, and an Innovation Policy Roadmap derived from project findings on soil health business models and incentives. Targeted at EU, national, and regional decision-makers, these outputs aim to guide future policies, including the CAP and the EU Soil Health Mission.
Project Insights: Challenges and Lessons Learned
As our three-year journey progresses, the Novasoil project has identified several key challenges and generated valuable insights that can inform future strategies for improving soil health:
Challenges:
- Choosing the right tree models for soil health business implementation can be complex and context-specific.
- Market instability: No fixed prices for soil-enhancing products or services can create uncertainty for farmers and investors.
- Diverse perceptions and preferences: Soil health priorities and approaches vary significantly across countries, making harmonized strategies challenging.
Consultation Outcomes & Lessons Learned:
- Successful Dissemination & Communication Strategy
Over 150 key actors are actively engaged through our Community of Practice, ensuring cross-sector collaboration.
The project has achieved worldwide impact, with knowledge and practices shared beyond Europe.
- Insights on Value Chains and Policy Incentives
Current agricultural value chains and policy frameworks do not fully reward or de-risk the transition to soil-health-improving practices.
However, the project has identified certain incentives that are more effective in promoting soil health, providing guidance for policymakers and stakeholders to shape supportive strategies.
NOVASOIL continues to turn knowledge into practical solutions, bridging research, policy, and farming practices to foster sustainable and resilient soils for the future.
Find out more about Novasoil
This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101091268.
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