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
ERRIN Spring Annual General Meeting 2022
ERRIN's Spring Annual General Meeting will be held this year on 23 June at 15:00-17:30 CEST followed by a networking cocktail from 18:00 CEST. In addition to discussing formal issues and offering an opportunity to network, the event will feature debates around the new European Innovation Agenda.
CBE JU Call for project proposals - Online project facilitation workshop
The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (previously the BBI JU) has published their call for project proposals for 2022. The Bioeconomy Working Group will organise a project facilitation workshop around the calls on 21 June 2022. This workshop is primarily aimed at experts in the field and is open to both ERRIN members and external partners.
EU Soil Mission’s state of play and National initiatives
Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian RDI Liaison Offices, and NCBR Poland in Brussels in cooperation with countries National Contacts Points (NCPs) are organising a series of webinars “A soil deal for Europe - mission possible in the Baltic Sea Region”. The first webinar, dedicated to the EU Soil Mission’s state of play and National initiatives, will take place on 15 June.
V4 conference about co-funded partnerships
The Brussels based research offices of the Visegrad 4 countries – NRDIO, CZELO, PolSCA, SLORD - are organising “Benefits and challenges of participation in co-funded partnerships with a thematic focus on Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment”. The event will take place on 13 June (10.00-14.00) at the Permanent Representation of Hungary to the EU.
EIP-AGRI brokerage event ’Get involved in the EU Mission: A Soil Deal for Europe’
The EIP-AGRI brokerage event ’Get involved in the EU Mission: A Soil Deal for Europe’ will take place on 8 - 9 June 2022 in Brussels. The event will be by invitation only. A call for expression of interest is open until 22 April 2022, 23:59 CEST.
Circular buildings – constructing differently and sustainably
Join 'Circular buildings – constructing differently and sustainably' event to hear best practices from the Nordic capitals and capital regions and to discuss challenges related to circular buildings and construction as well as how to close building material loops by reusing, repairing and recycling materials. The event is an official #EUGreenWeek partner event.
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
Feedback opportunity for Horizon Europe work programme 2025
The European Commission opened an opportunity to provide input for the development of the Horizon Europe ‘main’ work programme 2025. Submitted responses will contribute to the co-design of the work programme 2025, covering all six clusters, research infrastructures, European innovation ecosystems, the five EU Missions and the New European Bauhaus facility. The deadline for feedback is 6 May 2024 midday, CEST.
Laimburg Research Centre is looking for a coordinator for the 1st Agroecology Partnership call
Laimburg Research Centre is looking for a coordinator for the 1st Agroecology Partnership call. With a participative and multistakeholder approach, Laimburg Research Centre develops sustainable solutions for the local food supply chain, involving the main players in the sector.
Extended Deadline: Communities for Climate (C4C) Call
The C4C initiative will support 50 community-led projects in 11 European Union countries. These projects will be designed to engage citizens in addressing climate and sustainability issues. The focus areas for these projects are renewable energy, sustainable water management, circular and resource-efficient economy, and biodiversity.
The European Capital of Innovation Awards
In 2024, the European Innovation Council is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the European Capital of Innovation Awards. The competition rewards those European cities that are courageous enough to open their governance practices to experimentation and push the boundaries of technology for the benefit of their citizens. In addition to the monetary reward, the prize brings high visibility in the form of renewed public interest and increased media coverage. The deadline for submission is 18 June 2024, 17:00.
Apply for the European Green Capital & European Green Leaf Awards 2026
European cities committed to sustainability are encouraged to apply for the 2026 edition of the European Green Capital and Green Leaf Awards before the deadline on 30 April 2024. The Awards promote and reward the efforts of European towns and cities that strive to reduce their impact on the local and global environment, improving the quality of life for their inhabitants.
NEIA implementation report & Regional Innovation Valleys update
On 20 March, the Commission published the first report on the state of play of the New European Innovation Agenda, following its launch in July 2022. The document outlines the progress and achievements with regard to the 25 actions under Agenda’s five flagships, including the Regional Innovation Valleys. On the same day, an EU R&I Days debate on the way forward for RIVs was also held.
Latest Updates
- By Pieter Faber
Senbis (Emmen, Northern Netherlands) expands pilot facilities for sustainable plastics
Over the next three years, Senbis in Emmen, the Netherlands, will be investing €5.5 million through its new subsidiary SPIC Facilities BV, in a testing facility for the development of sustainable plastics.
- By Anonymous
Have your say on the future European co-funded Partnership on Biodiversity - DL: 30 June
Participate to the open consultation organised by BiodivERsA, DG R&I and DG ENV to review the European co-funded Partnership ‘Rescuing Biodiversity to Safeguard Life on Earth’, and provide feedback through an online consultation. Deadline: 30 June (midnight).
- By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha
Update from the ERRIN Secretariat – Our work policy
As Belgium moves away from confinement, the ERRIN Secretariat has developed a new work policy with necessary safety measures in line with national guidelines for the coming months.
- By Hilary Webb
Monitor regional post-lockdown recovery with EC & European Space Agency's RACE tool
The Rapid Action Coronavirus Earth observation tool (RACE) allows economic, environmental and agricultural indicators impacted by the pandemic to be viewed and compared at regional, national and global levels.
- By Ilaria d'Auria
Provide a regional example for the Spring AGM Policy Debate
Can your region be an example of how the COVID-19 recovery has shifted priorities, putting the green transition and research and innovation at the core of your strategy? We encourage you to get in touch with us as we are looking for regional cases to feed into the policy debate.
- By Hilary Webb
Next Generation EU proposed as recovery programme in new EU budget
The European Commission has put forward its proposal for the recovery plan, Next Generation EU, which will be included within the long-term EU budget. The recovery instrument should ensure the sustainable, inclusive and fair recovery for the EU.