Working Group Leaders
Representatives of Brussels-based offices leading the work of Bioeconomy Working Group.
Bioeconomy
The Working Group focuses on increasing the influence of regions and their stakeholders in shaping the European circular bioeconomy while also focusing on the Horizon Europe Mission Soil. The group covers the bioeconomy in the widest sense, tackling issues related to topics such as food systems, soil health, forestry, bioenergy, biowaste, bio-based products, among other things. Seeing the growing role of the bioeconomy in decarbonisation efforts, the group also concentrates on the ecological sustainability of these solutions (e.g. nature-based solutions, green and blue solutions for carbon capture). The group develops contacts with European policymakers to increase cooperation and projects between European regions in bioeconomy, with a particular focus on Horizon Europe and the Circular Bio-based Europe Partnership.
ERRIN Contact
Previous Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings
Mission Soil: lessons learned and upcoming opportunities
ERRIN Bioeconomy WG is organising an in-person meeting on 10 June 2024 from 15:00 to 17:00 to take stock of the latest developments on the Soil Mission. This meeting aims to facilitate an in-
Policy & Smart Specialisation WGs meeting: Widening in FP10 and impact on cohesion policy post-2027
The topic of widening gathers high attention in the discussions around the next European Framework Programme for R&I, raising questions with the potential to influence not only the Widening sub-
Policy WG meeting: Role of EU Missions in FP10
ERRIN has been closely involved in the design and implementation of the EU Missions since their inception. Missions remain one of the network's priorities and were one of the four main areas of focus
WG Related Events
The Green Deal, and now? The contribution of circular bioeconomy and renewable resources
Organised under the auspices of the Belgian Presidency of the Council, the third edition of the Rhine-Meuse Forum 2024 will focus on circular bioeconomy.
Smart Soils: Smart Specialisation meets EU Soil Mission
ERRIN's member Junta de Extremadura (FUNDECYT-PCTEX) is co-organising on 24 January 2024 a thematic NatiOOns webinar focusing on Smart Soils that will zoom into how Smart Specialisation meets the EU Soil Mission. It explicitly addresses two objectives of the EU Mission: A Soil Deal for Europe: reduce the EU global footprint on soils and improve soil literacy in society.
Smart Specialisation meets EU Soil Mission/ NATI00NS Project
The NATI00NS, a Soil Mission Project, is hosting the event: Smart Specialisation meets EU Soil Mission, which will take place online on 24 January 2024 at 10:00 CET. It will feature a Europe-wide discussion about the relationship, at a regional level, between the Smart Specialisation Research and Innovation Strategies (RIS3) and the Soil Mission (SM), creating a debate that, for sure, will enrich both working areas.
Industry engagement for sustainable soil health: Joining living labs
This webinar is co-organised by Nati00ns and Business MED and emphasizes the essential role of private sector participation in Living Labs, covering resource allocation, market validation, and user-centric innovation. Private sector involvement is paramount for the success of these ecosystems, providing vital resources, expertise, and investment. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how this collaboration leads to accelerated growth, enhanced market competitiveness, and the development of innovative solutions that meet real-world needs.
Beyond gender barriers in the agrifood system: Innovative women improving food & soil health
This EIT Food webinar will discuss how to overcome gender barriers in the agrifood system. Speakers from the EIT Food will discuss the female presence in the agrifood system, good practices of female-led innovations will be presented. It explicitly addresses two objectives of the EU Mission: A Soil Deal for Europe: conserve soil organic carbon stock and improve soil literacy in society.
NATI00NS thematic events: Solutions for urban and post-industrial soil de-sealing
The NATI00NS project is organising a series of online thematic events on healthy soil and sustainable management. The first thematic event, taking place on 14 December at 10:00 CET, will focus on the various aspects of soil sealing, particularly in urban and post-industrial soils, exploring innovative practices aimed at its reversal.
WG Documents
The pivotal role of regions and the industry to make bioeconomy real
The ERRIN Bioeconomy Working Group, in collaboration with the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC), is currently drafting a document that underscores the pivotal role of regions and the synergies with the private sector in driving forward the circular bioeconomy. This document aims to provide actionable recommendations to policymakers and stakeholders at both regional and EU levels.
ERRIN Year in review 2022
The ERRIN Year in review 2022 is out! Read the report to see the numerous activities ERRIN and its members have been involved in throughout the year.
Handbook on implementation and adoption barriers of urban living labs developing nature-based solutions
Developing Urban Living Labs is a relatively novel approach in urban areas, and consequently, there are many challenges and barriers that cities face during ULL adoption. This handbook, developed by the UNaLab project, aims to identify and explore some common barriers to the adoption of Urban Living Labs, and provide cities with a tool and an understanding of how to strategically address these barriers.
ERRIN input paper on a future EU Algae Strategy
ERRIN's input paper on a potential EU Algae Strategy, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of such a strategy at a regional and local level.
ERRIN input to the future EU Algae Strategy - Draft
A drafting group has prepared a first version of the ERRIN input to the future EU Algae Strategy.
WG Related Content
EU Soil Day - Addressing the regional dimension of soil health
The EU Soil Day, held last 6 November at the Committee of the Regions, represented a unique opportunity to address regional and local challenges in soil health. The event, organised by the Region of Murcia in partnership with ERRIN and the HuMUS project with the support of the Spanish EU Presidency, brought together regions, researchers, soil projects and soil enthusiasts to explore the territorial dimensions of soil health.
A look forward: Launching ERRIN reflections on regional dimension in R&I post-2027
Autumn 2023 marked the start of ERRIN’s targeted reflections on regional dimension in research and innovation in the new EU Multiannual Financial Framework post-2027, relating to the next EU Framework Programme for R&I (FP10) and future cohesion policy. We are offering a recap of our activities so far, first messages and planned next steps.
Management Board elections 2023 – results
Following the call for nominations for ERRIN Management Board held between 20 September and 5 October, we are happy to announce the nominated Management Board members. The five nominees will be approved as new Management Board members at the ERRIN Extraordinary General Meeting on 16 November.
Shape ERRIN's agenda 2024 - Annual Member Survey
In view of the annual strategy workshops that we will organise with all the Working Group (WG) and Task Force (TF) leaders in the second half of November, all members are invited to provide input on priorities, topics, and activities that should be addressed in 2024. The input can be provided by 31 October 2023.
Lyon Métropole seeks to join a consortium for Horizon Europe call on Zero Pollution
Lyon Métropole would be interested in joining a consortium as a partner working on the topic of urban pollution and population exposure. The consortium would work to better understand the scope of the problem and contribute to identifying actions that could be promoted to better protect both its population and environment.
Sparking collaborations and project opportunities within the ERRIN Culture & Creativity Cluster
Last month, the Cultural Heritage & Tourism Working Group, alongside the Design & Creativity Working Group and the New European Bauhaus Task Force, launched a survey to map members' interest in the upcoming Horizon Europe calls focusing on cross-cutting areas such as culture, creativity, and tourism, circular economy and design with deadlines in early 2024. Following the positive response and active participation of over 50 ERRIN members in the consultation, ERRIN hosted a project development session to foster collaboration opportunities and spark project ideas.
Latest Updates
- By Gianpiero Petruzziello
Call for regional examples of good governance practices for soil health and protection
The Bioeconomy Working Group is looking for regional examples related to good governance practices for soil health and protection, to be presented in the upcoming ‘EU Soil Days’. The event will take place in person on 6 November at the EU Committee of the Regions in Brussels. Projects, initiatives or governance models showcasing the engagement and collaboration between the different actors are of particular interest.
- By Ewa Chomicz
169 country actions in support of the New European Innovation Agenda
On 19 September 2023, the European Commission published the list of actions that Member States and Associated Countries to Horizon Europe are so far undertaking or planning to undertake in support of one or more of the five flagships of the New European Innovation Agenda, including Flagship 3 closely followed by ERRIN. 20 countries have so far reported 169 actions in total, with their scope ranging from regional, through national to European.
- By Ewa Chomicz
Management Board elections 2023 – call for nominations launched!
Every year ERRIN holds elections for the Management Board. Becoming a member of the Board offers a great opportunity to develop ERRIN further and strategically lead the network’s activities. You can put forward your candidature for this year’s elections until 5 October.
- By Heidi Johansson
Smart Cities & Bioeconomy WG: Call for examples of innovative solutions for greening cities
The Smart Cities and Bioeconomy Working Groups are looking for examples of innovative solutions for greening cities, to be presented in an upcoming meeting on the Nature Restoration Law on 26 October. The aim of the meeting is to jointly explore innovative solutions that can help cities to fulfil the restoration requirements for urban ecosystems presented by the new law. The deadline for submitting examples is 26 September.
- By Mirva Männikkö
City of Jyväskylä is looking for Transfer Partners for EUI Greening Cities call
Jyväskylä (FI) is looking for 3 Transfer Partners for project preparation for the Second Call for Proposals EUI - Innovative Actions in Topic 1: “Greening cities”. Deadline 24 September.
- By Ewa Chomicz
Regional Innovation Valleys: interest so far & matchmaking map
On 6 September, the European Commission published a matchmaking map showcasing European regions that have so far expressed their interest to become a Regional Innovation Valley (RIV) by applying to the call for Expression of Interest launched in March 2023. The call for EoI is still open for new submissions until 18 September 2023.