SciTransfer
REWARD · Project

New Payment Models for Farmers Delivering Environmental and Climate Results

environmentTestedTRL 5

Imagine if farmers were paid for the actual health of the soil or the number of bees they save, rather than just following a set of rules. This project creates a system to reward these real-world results using smart funding and digital tracking. It's like moving from a flat salary to a performance-based bonus for helping the planet.

By the numbers
35,000
farmers engaged
14
Innovation Hubs
1,000
actors benefiting from capacity building
15,000
stakeholders reached
5
upscaling roadmaps
11
policy briefs
The business problem

What needed solving

Farmers often lack financial incentives to adopt sustainable practices because payments are based on actions rather than actual environmental results. This creates a gap between policy goals and real-world ecological improvement.

The solution

What was built

The project delivers 5+ scalable funding models, a practical guide for blended/private funding, and an integrated monitoring guide using remote sensing.

Audience

Who needs this

Carbon credit developersAgri-insurance companiesEnvironmental consultancy firmsGreen investment banks
Business applications

Who can put this to work

Agri-Tech
SME
Target: Remote sensing and satellite monitoring provider

If you are a monitoring provider dealing with high costs of verifying farm data — this project developed digital tools and remote sensing tests in 4 Innovation Hubs that make monitoring cost-effective.

Finance
enterprise
Target: Green investment fund or private lender

If you are a fund manager dealing with a lack of structured green assets — this project developed 5+ scalable funding models and a practical guide for blended and private funding.

Agricultural Consulting
any
Target: Farm management consultancy

If you are a consultant dealing with farmers hesitant to switch to green methods — this project developed a training academy and capacity building for 1,000 actors to make the transition profitable.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What is the cost or price of the tools developed?

Based on available project data, specific pricing is not mentioned, but the project focuses on creating 'cost-effective monitoring' using digital tools.

Can this be scaled to an industrial level?

Yes, the project aims to engage more than 35,000 farmers across 14 Innovation Hubs in 11 countries to ensure the models are scalable.

What are the IP and licensing terms for the funding models?

Based on available project data, specific IP or licensing terms are not provided; however, the project produces scalable funding models and practical guides.

How does this align with EU regulations?

The project is designed to contribute directly to the Green Deal and CAP reform by embedding payment schemes into governance structures.

What is the timeline for implementation?

The project runs from 2026-06-01 to 2030-05-31.

Consortium

Who built it

The consortium is broad and multi-disciplinary, consisting of 27 partners across 11 countries. While it is heavily weighted toward 'Other' (13) and research/university entities (12), it includes 2 industrial partners and 3 SMEs, resulting in a low industry ratio of 7%. This suggests the project is primarily driven by policy and academic research with a focus on wide-scale social adoption rather than immediate commercial product development.

How to reach the team

Contact BOERENNATUUR VLAANDEREN in Belgium

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Contact us to find out how to integrate these results-based payment models into your green finance portfolio.

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