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 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-
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-
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
The 4th AERAP Africa-Europe Science Collaboration Forum, set to take place from 22-24 April 2024, embodies the spirit of the European Union’s Science and Development agendas and the collaborative ethos of the Team Europe initiative. This Forum is poised to serve as a dynamic platform, emphasising the critical role of science and digital innovation in shaping EU policies towards Africa and placing African scientific leadership at the centre of these, mirroring the synergistic approach that Team Europe champions. By fostering deeper engagements with policymakers and amplifying the impacts of…
The ERRIN Secretariat team is pleased to invite you to the ERRIN Intro Coffee, aiming to offer a brief, to-the-point introduction to ERRIN and its services, as well as facilitate networking between members. We especially encourage new network members and colleagues to take part, but all interested members are welcome. Join us in person at ERRIN on 19 April!
Chemport Europe, the provinces of Groningen and Friesland, the Municipality of Groningen, hubs Circulair Groningen and Circular Friesland, Groningen Seaports, Greenwise Circular Plastics, and Holland Circular Hotspot, collaboratively organise an official WCEF2024 accelerator session on the northern Netherlands’ bottom-up, regional approach towards circularity, illustrated by best practices in plastics, textile and construction on 18 April from 13:00-14:30 at the House of the Dutch Provinces.
The European Commission’s Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI), in which ERRIN is involved, is co-organising the session ‘how EU cities and regions are getting ahead with the circular transition’ during the World Circular Economy Forum 2024.
Following the Action Plan on Critical Raw Materials of the European Commission, which develops value chains for EU industrial ecosystems to reduce dependency through resource circularity and innovation, the University of Lorraine, along with European and socioeconomics stakeholders, will exchange on three key issues: taking stock of the substitution issues which have geopolitical consequences, of recycling, which is set to develop considerably, and finally of the training and skills needs at European level in these areas. The event will take place on 17 April 8:30-16:00
On 15 and 16 April 2024, the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference will take place in Brussels as a hybrid event. The seventh edition of the most awaited Circular Economy conference in Europe will join forces with the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF), and bring policymakers, industry leaders, academics and activists from all corners of the world to Brussels to turn circular visions into actions.
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.
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.
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's input paper on a potential EU Algae Strategy, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of such a strategy at a regional and local level.
A drafting group has prepared a first version of the ERRIN input to the future EU Algae Strategy.
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.
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 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.
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.
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. 73 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.
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.
As part of the European Commission’s Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI), in which ERRIN is involved, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is investigating on how to further support cities and regions in their transition to a circular economy. To this end, they are inviting cities and regions to take a survey to identify ways to accelerate the circular economy transition in the context of the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan. Survey participants are encouraged to complete the survey by 25 March.
The Bioeconomy Working Group is looking for a new co-leader to join the current leaders in steering the Working Group's activities and priorities. The deadline for expressing interest in this role is Friday 15 March.
The Agroecology Partnership has officially launched its first call for proposals to fund transdisciplinary research and innovation (R&I) projects that address agroecological transition of conventional and organic agricultural systems. The deadline for pre-proposal is 26 April 2024, 14:00 CET.
As presented in ERRIN's Blue Economy Working Group Meeting, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has launched a short survey on the future KIC on water, marine and maritime sectors and ecosystems. The survey closes on 26 February (23:59 CET time).
The ERA FABRIC project, which aims to define the ERA Hubs concept across Europe, launched a survey for regional stakeholders to identify the most recurrent characteristics and parameters of excellence of European knowledge ecosystems. ERA Hubs concept remains of particular interest for ERRIN. The survey will be open until 10 March 2024.
ERRIN is looking for a Communications Assistant! This role is a perfect opportunity to gain first-hand experience in Research and Innovation and participate in the daily work of the organisation. The deadline to apply is 27 February.