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
Future Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings
EU Design Day 2024
The 12th edition of EU Design Day will happen in Brussels on 17 September 2024, gathering key stakeholders from the design and creativity sectors for a networking opportunity with familiar and new
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
Packaging the Future: Transitioning to a Re-use System for Packaging
Zero Waste Scotland and Scotland Europa are delighted to invite you to a panel discussion taking place in Scotland House Brussels on Thursday 16 November, to kick off European Week of Waste Reduction.
ERRIN Extraordinary General Meeting
The ERRIN Extraordinary General Meeting will take place on 16 November 2023 from 14:00-16:00 CET in the ERRIN premises, with participation possible online. This Meeting is organised to make the necessary changes to the ERRIN Articles of Association following requirements by the new code for Belgian companies and associations. A minimum of 2/3 of the ERRIN members must be represented at the Meeting, and therefore engagement of each member is of crucial importance.
From vision to reality: Cities & regions drive forward Europe’s circular transition
The Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI), in which ERRIN is involved, is organising its first General Conference on 8 November in Brussels. The conference will bring together policymakers, business leaders, and experts on the circular economy as well as the general public to explore how cities, regions and their partners across Europe are advancing from their political decisions and strategies towards the deployment of systemic solutions.
EU Soil Day
The Region of Murcia, together with ERRIN, the HuMUS project and with the support of the EU Spanish Presidency, is organising the ‘EU Soil Day’, taking place on 6 November at the EU Committee of the Regions. The event will be an opportunity to have an overview of the EU Soil agenda, both from the policy and projects point of view, and with a specific territorial approach. Check the agenda and register by 30 October.
Smart Cities & Bioeconomy WG: Nature Restoration Law - Innovations for the creation of greener cities
The Smart Cities and Bioeconomy Working Groups are organising a meeting on the Nature Restoration Law, taking place on 26 October between 10:00-12:15 CEST in Brussels. The European Commission will present the current state of play of the Nature Restoration Law as well as funding opportunities for cities and regions to create greener cities. Three ERRIN members will present examples of innovative solutions that urban areas can adopt to fulfil the requirements of the law.
Sustainable Economy in Horizon Europe: International matchmaking & networking (INSE)
On October 25-26, 2023, the second edition of Sustainable Economy in Horizon Europe: International matchmaking&networking (INSE) will take place in Warsaw. Sustainable Economy in Horizon Europe is a unique opportunity to establish direct contacts between scientists/researchers and entrepreneurs.
WG Documents
The pivotal role of regions and industry for a thriving bioeconomy: ERRIN - BIC joint position paper
ERRIN, through its Bioeconomy WG, and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) have jointly released a position paper outlining a proposal for the most pressing actions for the European bioeconomy to be tackled during the upcoming European Commission mandate period.
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
Call to join the Commission Expert Group on the Interim Evaluation of Horizon Europe
On 15 May, the European Commission's DG RTD launched a call for applications for the Commission Expert Group on the Interim Evaluation of Horizon Europe. The group shall gather 15 highly experienced members with the aim to provide the Commission with strategic recommendations to feed into the design of the next Framework Programme 2028-2034.
Pathways2Resilience launches Expression of Interest
The Pathways2Resilience programme has launched its Expression of Interest questionnaire. The programme will allocate €21 million across 100 regions and communities through two call cycles, while also providing them with a range of support services and capacity-building activities to support the formulation of local resilience pathways and innovation agendas. The deadline for local and regional public authorities to express their interest in the programme is 15 September.
The Intelligent Cities Challenge: Deadline extended until 31 May
The Intelligent Cities Challenge (ICC) is one of the European Commission's largest city support initiatives supporting European cities in their green and digital transitions. ICC delivers cutting-edge knowledge and support services to cities and their local economies to address two major challenges: making the transition to a net-zero economic model while enabling social inclusion and sustainable development for every EU citizen. The application deadline for cities has been extended to 31 May 2023.
Gearing up for the Regional Innovation Valleys call for proposals under Horizon Europe
The planned launch of the Regional Innovation Valleys call for proposals under Horizon Europe is approaching on 17 May 2023. ERRIN is happy to share a recap of the latest insights and dedicated activities organised with the aim of supporting network members interested in applying to the call.
EU Missions creating new markets: the crucial role of the triple helix collaboration
ERRIN is collaborating with the TRAMI project to organise a Mutual Learning Event on the Wednesday 17 May from 9:00-12:30, exploring the role of industry, academia and public authorities in achieving the objectives of the five EU Missions through triple helix collaboration.
ERRIN Spring AGM 2023
Save the date for ERRIN’s 2023 Spring Annual General Meeting (AGM), which will take place on 22 June from 14:30-18:00 CET, followed by a networking reception. We are happy to announce that this year the event will be held in person with online streaming available, and will be hosted at Scotland Europa Office in Brussels.
Latest Updates
- By Hilary Webb
Become a partner of the 2022 EU Regions Week
The 20th edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities will take place from 10 - 13 October this year. To start preparations for the conference, applications for EU Regions Week partners are now open.
- By Ewa Chomicz
8th Cohesion Report: findings on regional innovation in Europe
The European Commission has published the 8th Cohesion Report: Cohesion in Europe towards 2050. According to the findings, while the Cohesion policy has, in general, helped to narrow territorial and social disparities between regions in the EU, the regional innovation divide in Europe has grown.
- By Heidi Johansson
Bioeconomy WG: Call for best practices on soil
The Bioeconomy Working Group is looking for regional best practices related to soil to be presented in its upcoming meeting focusing on the topic of soil and the recently published EU Soil Strategy. The meeting will take place on 15 March and will be organised as an online event. The deadline for submitting examples is 18 February COB.
- By Tomi Höök
BUT project findings and search for partners for projects in energy
South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (Xamk) has been focusing on the development of efficient energy systems for decades, cooperating with private and public sector. Xamk presents the findings of its New Openings in the Bioeconomy (BUT) project and is looking for new international partners for projects in the field of energy.
- By Ewa Chomicz
ERRIN welcomes new network Chair and Vice-Chairs
The ERRIN Management Board has appointed a new Chair and two Vice-Chairs, who together form the Troika. New Troika will lead the Management Board in 2022-2023.
- By Hilary Webb
ERRIN is looking for a Project & Communications Assistant (traineeship)
ERRIN is looking for a new trainee! The Project and Communications Assistant will have the opportunity to participate in the daily work of the organisation by carrying out communications tasks and by assisting colleagues working on projects. The deadline to apply is 14 February.