The DVL public goods bonus - on its way
From an idea to a model for the future – an innovative funding approach, developed by joint efforts of professionals and academics.
The public goods bonus (PGB 3D) of Deutscher Verband für Landschaftspflege (DVL) has evolved through an iterative political and technical process. From the very beginning, the concept has been scientifically supported, tested and approved in practice, and continuously optimized. The result is a mature and field-proven support instrument for sustainable and future-ready agriculture.
Step 1: Public Goods
should be made visible
As the debate over the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post-2020 intensified, political pressure grew to link public funds more consistently to public services. Deutsche Verband für Landschaftspflege (DVL) developed the concept of a ‘public goods bonus’ at an early stage, with the goal of rewarding farms specifically for distinct contributions to areas such as biodiversity, climate, soil and water. The aim was to create a simple, transparent and legally compliant model that could seamlessly be integrated into the first and second pillar of the CAP. DVL’s public goods bonus (PGB) was thus intended to provide an answer to the question of how income-support for agriculture could be linked more closely to measurable public goods.
Step 2: Development and
validation of the model
On this basis, the technical and legal foundations of the public goods bonus were developed and refined further within a series of concept papers. The focus was on defining suitable indicators, evaluating measures and addressing issues of administrative streamlining. Scientific reports evaluated compatibility with EU law, alignment with environmental and climate targets, and feasibility within existing funding frameworks. In addition, calculation models were developed to enable performance-based and transparent remuneration for Public Goods. These reports and concept papers are recording this development process and are showing that the public goods bonus is technically sound and legally compatible.
Step 3: Practical testing in pilot
and demonstration projects
The PGB is not merely a theoretical concept; it has been tested in real-world and put through demonstration projects involving agricultural farms. In these projects, the indicators and catalogues of measures developed were tested in everyday farm operations, documented and further refined. The experiences of farmers, issuing authorities and supporting consultants were incorporated systematically into the further development of the tool. The results show that the PGB is manageable for both farms and administrative bodies and can contribute to higher benefits for climate, environment and nature conservation.
Step 4: PGB 3D on its way
into GAP 28
A revised selection of measuresand the simplified presentation in the smartGAPP simulation tool are now set to pave the way towards GAP 28.