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
HuMUS webinar - Participatory methods to enhance soil health
The HuMUS Project is organising its first local soil health webinar on Thursday 19 October from 10:00 to 11:30 CEST. This event will convene representatives of European municipalities and regions, EU policymakers and soil health advocates to discuss soil health regeneration focusing on participatory methods.
Moving on: towards a circular and sustainable European society
The MISTRA REES research program is organising a 2-day in-person workshop on 12 and 13 October about the circular transition from an industry perspective in Brussels. Several experts, both from industry as well as from academia, will discuss developments in policies, standards and business models.
Next Generation Innovators Summit
The Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union in collaboration with the European Commission organises a high-level conference to reflect on the New European Innovation Agenda, and to discuss the challenges faced by public and private actors concerning deep-tech innovation and its contribution to the twin and digital transitions. The event will take place on 10 October 2023 in Madrid.
EWCR Side event: Co-creating clean coasts - Breakfast seminar
The Oslo Region European Office and West Norway Office are facilitating a EWRC side event with NTNU Campus Ålesund and their member municipalities Bærum and Ålesund.on Co-creating clean coasts. The event will take place on 10 October from 09:00-11:00, with a light breakfast served from 08:00.
European Week of Regions and Cities (EWRC)
The European Week of Regions and Cities is an annual four-day event during which cities and regions showcase their capacity to create growth and jobs, implement European Union cohesion policy, and prove the importance of the local and regional level for good European governance.
ERRIN event: Organising a regional innovation ecosystem
This in-person ERRIN event on 4 October, organised in line with the Management Board priority on widening and deepening engagement in R&I, invites all ERRIN members to share and explore the ways to develop their regional innovation ecosystems going beyond any specific initiatives or funding opportunities. The event will enable informal mutual learning and exchanges of practices between network colleagues from across Europe in an interactive way.
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
3rd REINFORCING Open Call
REINFORCING supports European organisations and institutions in transitioning to a new paradigm where responsibility and openness drive research and innovation processes. REINFORCING Incubators Call supports organisations and territories active in contributing to European Missions by engaging relevant stakeholders, including citizens, in the R&I process and/or policies connected to one of the EU Missions.
The Forward-Looking Survey - European Urban Initiative
The European Urban Initiative (EUI) has launched a forward-looking survey to gather vital insights from urban practitioners and policymakers across Europe. This survey, hosted on Portico, aims to identify key trends, challenges, knowledge gaps and support needs in European sustainable urban development. The survey will be open from 6 June until 12 July.
S+T+ARTS Hungry Ecocities: Call for Artists in the Agri-food sector
Hungry EcoCities is launching the second call for artists dedicated to developing innovative prototypes for products and services within the agri-food sector that can enhance AI-enabled responsible innovation for a sustainable food chain. The project will feature up to 10 collaborative experiments between art and the agri-food industry, known as Paths to Progress Experiments (PPEs). The initiative aims to explore one of the most pressing challenges of our times: the need for a more healthy, sustainable, responsible, and affordable agri-food system for all enabled by AI.
ERRIN two-pager for European decision-makers
ERRIN is pleased to share a two-pager for the incoming European decision-makers, aiming to present the network and our value to the new MEPs, raising a voice for the importance of place-based R&I in the changing landscape. We encourage all ERRIN members to share the document with their MEPs to introduce ERRIN and the value of place-based R&I.
PRIMED - First open call for potential end users to obtain funding for testing and validating bio-based products
The PRIMED project has released its first open call to identify and engage potential end users interested in testing and validating bio-based ingredients and products. The open calls, offering a total amount of €500k, are split into €100k for each living lab, providing selected end-users for the opportunity to test and validate the added-value bio-based materials/chemicals/fuels/end products. The deadline for the application is on 30 September 2024.
Over 70 ERRIN member regions announced as Regional Innovation Valleys
On 19 June, the Commission announced the 151 regions identified as Regional Innovation Valleys following the call for EoI and calls for proposals in 2023. 75 successful regions come from ERRIN members. RIVs will aim to strengthen the regional innovation ecosystems, bridge the innovation gap and improve Europe's overall innovation performance. New calls for proposals under Horizon Europe are expected in 2025.
Latest Updates
- By Hilary Webb
LIFE Awards 2021 - winners announced
During EU Green Week, the winners of the 2021 LIFE Awards were announced by the LIFE programme. Winners were announced in three categories: nature, environment and climate action.
- By Hilary Webb
Be Green Go Blue: Commission launch new approach to sustainable blue economy
The European Commission is proposing a new approach for a sustainable blue economy in the EU, with plans to support industries and sectors related to oceans, seas and coasts as they work towards the objectives of the Green Deal.
- By Hilary Webb
Commission adopts its Zero Pollution action plan
The Commission has now adopted the EU Action Plan: 'Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil'. The subject is a key deliverable of the Green Deal and an important topic at EU Green Week 2021.
- By Anonymous
Reduction of plastics and recycling of plastic waste through public procurement and public-private innovation across the plastics value chain
In Denmark, approx. 370.000 tons of plastic are incinerated every year which results in emission of approx. 1 million tonnes of CO2/year. In order to achieve Denmark’s target to reduce CO2 emissions by 70 percent by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality in 2050, long-term efforts must be made to minimize our plastic consumption and production and management of plastic waste. There is a need for innovation, which is aimed at reducing plastic consumption as well as waste management and treatment of plastics. In order to develop and test systemic solutions for reduction and increased recycling of plastic waste, there is a need for a strong partnership across several links in the value chain of plastics that can create holistic and practical solutions.
- By Hilary Webb
Call for input - Dialogue with European Commission on Mission Starfish 2030
ERRIN is organising an informal discussion together with the European Commission on the Mission area: healthy oceans, seas, coastal and inland waters with a particular focus on exploring the proposed 'area-based lighthouse demonstrators'. Ahead of the dialogue, ERRIN members are invited to provide input.
- By Heidi Johansson
Call for questions on the Circular Bio-based Europe partnership
The Bioeconomy Working Group leaders will together with the ERRIN Secretariat have an informal exchange with representatives of the Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking to discuss the transition from BBI JU to the Circular Bio-based Europe JU. Bioeconomy WG members are now invited to submit questions which they would like the leaders to bring up in this discussion.