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
EU Missions info-days
On 18 and 19 January 2022, the European Commission will host virtual information days dedicated to the Horizon Europe Missions. All five missions will be discussed over the two days.
Earth Observation online networking event
A networking event in the field of Earth observation / Copernicus services will be organised on 13 December between 14.00 and 16.30. It will provide a brief overview of recently launched Horizon Europe calls, yet its main aim is to enable pitching sessions for all those interested to establish new collaborative links across EU.
ERRIN Autumn Annual General Meeting 2021
ERRIN's Autumn Annual General Meeting will take place this year on 9 December at 14:30-17:00 CET. In addition to offering highlights from 2021 and an outlook for 2022, the Autumn AGM will be an opportunity to continue ERRIN’s 20th-anniversary celebrations.
BioWILL webinar: Development of an Integrated 'Net Zero' Bio-refinery
Environment Platform Wales are hosting a webinar focused on the Interreg North West Europe project 'BioWILL' led by the University of Limerick and also involving Bangor University as well as partners from Belgium and France.
The 5th Norwegian Circular Economy Conference
The conference will take place on 25 November in a form of a hybrid event streamed live from the new Deichman Library in Oslo. Online participation is open and free of charge. The event is organised in cooperation between SINTEF, The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), The Research Council of Norway and Innovation Norway.
Monitoring & Evaluation of Nature-based Solutions
The UNaLab project, in which ERRIN is a partner, is co-organising a webinar on monitoring and evaluation of nature-based solutions (NBS). The webinar aims to create an understanding of NBS impact assessment by presenting the work carried out in the European Taskforce for NBS Impact Assessment.
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
HuMUS Project selected 20 local and regional soil health pilots
The HuMUS project has selected the 20 local and regional soil health pilots, including 10 located in ERRIN member regions, that will be supported to enhance participatory methods and tools for soil quality and health governance. The results of the calls were announced for the first time during ERRIN’s Bioeconomy WG meeting on the 'Mission Soil: lessons learned and upcoming opportunities'. Learn more about the outcomes of the call.
EIB's Circular City Centre (C3) initiative continues: support to thrive the circular transition in cities
The European Investment Bank is launching a new support phase of their Circular City Centre (C3) scheme. The C3 targets cities and the public sector promotors on their behalf and offers advice on their circular economy agenda and investment projects. Cities can benefit from guidance documents, resources, circular city advisory and capacity building workshops and project advisory services.
Launch of the new CCRI Knowledge Hub for Circular Economy
The Circular Cities and Regions Initiative has launched its Knowledge Hub to consolidate and expand the support activities made available for boosting circularity in European cities and regions. The CCRI Knowledge Hub will foster knowledge-sharing, mentoring, and capacity-building within the CCRI community and beyond.
Call for Applications for IN SITU Summer School
Applications are now open to join IN SITU Summer School, “Place-based creative solutions for cultivating caring and sustainable communities" (20-24 September 2024), and the IN SITU Conference "Horizons of Sustainability: The power of creative innovation for transformation of rural and non-urban futures" (25-27 September 2024), both held in the beautiful island of Zlarin, Croatia.
ERRIN two-page input on FP10 for the attention of the Expert Group
As the work towards the next EU Framework Programme for R&I (FP10) continues, ERRIN is pleased to share its two-page input for the attention of the Expert Group on the interim evaluation of Horizon Europe. The document is a concise compilation of the reflections on FP10 done at ERRIN so far, highlighting topics of key importance. Work on a series of broader input papers is underway.
Extended deadline: Call for Circular Economy Experts providing personalised support for cities and regions
To better support the implementation of circular systemic solutions at the local and regional levels, the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative just launched a call for external experts who can offer personalised support to cities and regions. Experts should have at least five years of experience in the fields of stakeholder and citizen engagement, innovation and technology, business models and financial support, public procurement, or impact evaluation and can express their interest until 14 June 2024.
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 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
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 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.