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
Citizen Science for Environmental Citizenship conference
This conference presents the results of the Horizon2020 EnviroCitizen project, including research into how birding and citizen science can be used to promote environmental citizenship. The event will take place on 30 June from 09:00-15:00.
Policy WG meeting: Regional Innovation Valleys call under Horizon Europe – dealing with co-funding
In the frame of ERRIN’s focus on the Regional Innovation Valleys call under Horizon Europe (EIE RIV call), the requirement of 50% co-funding emerges as one of the most challenging aspects of the call for prospective applicant regions. The online Policy WG meeting on 29 June aims to discuss this urgent issue to further support network members in applying to the EIE RIV call by 17 October.
Stakeholder workshop on the progress of Horizon Europe
The European Commission is organising a stakeholder workshop on the progress of Horizon Europe in the context of the mid-term review. The event will take place online on 29 June from 10:00-13:00 CEST. Participants will be invited to take the floor and share their individual experiences with Horizon Europe up until now. Widening countries are particularly encouraged to take part.
ERRIN Spring AGM 2023
ERRIN's Spring Annual General Meeting will take place on 22 June from 14:30-17:45 CEST, followed by networking reception. This year the event will be held in-person, with online streaming available for members who aren’t based in Brussels.
Connecting regional innovation valleys through circular industries
The Principality of Asturias through IDEPA, and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission will organise the event "Connecting regional innovation valleys through circular industries" on 21-22 June in Gijón, Asturias (Spain). The conference will build on the experiences and learnings of the Partnerships for Regional Innovation (PRI) Pilot.
6th European climate change adaptation conference
The 6th European climate change adaptation conference, ECCA 2023, takes place from 19 to 21 June 2023.
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
InnoArch searches to join consortium for HORIZON-CL6-2024-BIODIV-02-2-two-stage
InnoArch is a Norwegian consortium dedicated to fostering innovation-driven research, production, and dissemination within architecture and urban development. They are looking for a European consortium for HORIZON-CL6-2024-BIODIV-02-2-two-stage.
Available support to regions in EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change
On 12 December 2023, the ERRIN Adaptation Task Force organised a hybrid event providing an overview of the available financial and technical support for regions and communities under the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change. Here is a summary of the opportunities provided within three initiatives running under the Mission Adaptation.
ERRIN end of year reception - 2023 Highlights
On 7 December, ERRIN celebrated the network’s achievements in 2023. Following an engaging meeting with leaders of our 15 Working Groups, all ERRIN members were invited to a cocktail reception featuring a keynote from Markus Schulte, Head of Cabinet of Iliana Ivanova, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth. Check out ERRIN 2023 highlights in a 3-minute video.
Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules for Hotel accommodation services: join the Technical Secretariat
In support of the sustainable tourism policies initiated by the European Commission, a collaborative, multi-stakeholder Technical Secretariat will develop PEFCRs for Hotel accommodations in the European Union. Stakeholders of the hotel industry, as well as NGO representatives, are invited to apply as a member of the Technical Secretariat.
HuMUS open call for proposal - Participatory governance on soil health - Deadline Extended until 5 April
The HuMUS project has launched a cascade funding call aimed at supporting 20 pilot projects in fostering participatory governance methods to improve soil health at regional and local levels in Europe. The total budget for the HuMUS Call for Pilot proposals is €600.000, with a maximum subgrant of €30.000 (lump sum) per Pilot Project. The deadline for proposal submission has been extended until 05 April 2024.
University of Udine is searching for partners for Horizon FARM2FORK call
University of Udine is searching for partners for Horizon FARM2FORK call: Animal nutritional requirements and nutritional value of feed under different production management conditions.
Latest Updates
- By Lucy Hammond
EU Missions: The European Commission publishes its first mid-term review
On 19 July, the European Commission (EC) published a Communication on the assessment of the EU Missions after two years of implementation. The EC details the Missions' successes but also recognises the need to address challenges related to governance, budget, citizens and private sector engagement. The EC also proposes to add a sixth Mission on the New European Bauhaus.
- By Astrid Hannes
Circular economy: improving design and end-of-life management of cars for more resource-efficient automotive sector
The Commission is proposing new measures to enhance the circularity of the automotive sector, covering the design, production and end-of-life treatment of vehicles. The proposed regulation is expected to have substantial environmental benefits, including an annual reduction of 12.3 million tons of CO2 emissions by 2035, better valorisation of 5.4 million tons of materials, and increased recovery of critical raw materials.
- By Astrid Hannes
European Green Deal: more sustainable use of plant and soil natural resources
The European Commission adopted a new package of measures for the sustainable use of key natural resources, which will also strengthen the resilience of EU food systems and farming. A soil monitoring law will put the EU on a pathway to healthy soils by 2050, by gathering data on the health of soils and making it available to farmers and other soil managers. The law also makes sustainable soil management the norm and addresses situations of unacceptable health and environmental risks due to soil contamination.
- By Frédéric Cabistan
Call for interest - Nut cultivation researchers wanted for brainstorming
Flemish "Praktijkpunt Landbouw" of the province of Flemish Brabant is looking for researchers on nut cultivation to share knowledge, project results, experience and common interests. Are you willing to help researchers look into the possibilities of Flemish nut cultivation? Contact Rutger Tallieu now!
- By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha
ERRIN Spring AGM 2023 – taking stock of the EU Missions
ERRIN’s Spring Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2023 took place on 22 June this year. As always, it brought together the large and dynamic community of member regions and cities. Following the format part with the update from the network, the main focus was the EU Missions, approached in two policy debates, on the support and implementation frameworks in Adaptation, Ocean and Waters and Soil Missions, and the governance innovation and the perspective on Cities and the Cancer Missions.
- By Cecilie Lindstrom
North Denmark EU Office is looking to form a consortium for Mission Soil Call
North Denmark EU Office looking to form a consortium for Mission Soil Call: Back to Earth. The project aims to increase soil literacy by bringing together multiple actors in a network through innovative, creative, and artistic means of communication. Deadline for EoI: 15 July.