Working Group Leaders

Representatives of Brussels-based offices leading the work of Bioeconomy Working Group.

Angèle Liaigre
Angèle Liaigre

Cities Northen Netherlands

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Randi Johanne Hoseth
Randi Johanne Hoseth

Oslo Region European Office

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Simon Fredholm
Simon Fredholm

Region Värmland European Office

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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.

Next Working Group Meetings

Future Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings

EU Design Day 2024

EU Design Day 2024

Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha

The 12th edition of EU Design Day will happen in Brussels on 17 September 2024, gathering key stakeholders from the design and creativity sectors for a networking opportunity with familiar and new

Last Working Group Meetings

Previous Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings

Mission Soil: lessons learned and upcoming opportunities

Mission Soil: lessons learned and upcoming opportunities

Gianpiero Petruzziello

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

Policy & Smart Specialisation WGs meeting: Widening in FP10 and impact on cohesion policy post-2027

Ewa Chomicz

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

Policy WG meeting: Role of EU Missions in FP10

Ewa Chomicz

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

WG Related Events

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.

CoR stakeholder consultation "Towards an integrated EU policy approach to support place-based innovation for the green and digital transition"

​​​The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is drafting an opinion "Towards an integrated EU policy approach to support place-based innovation for the green and digital transition". Interested stakeholders are invited for a thematic consultation and exchange of views on 3 October 2023 from 10:00-12:00 at the CoR premises. Registration is possible by 29 September.

KEP 2.0 seminar: Implementation of the New European Innovation Agenda – What is in it for regions and cities?

​​​The European Committee of the Regions and the European Commission are organising a seminar on "Implementation of the New European Innovation Agenda – What is in it for regions and cities?" in the framework of their Knowledge Exchange Platform (KEP 2.0). The event will take place on 28 September from 14:30-18:00 in-person in Brussels, with ERRIN Director Pirita Lindholm as one of the speakers.

Cluster 6 Info Days and Brokerage Event - Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture & Environment

Are you interested in research and innovation funding opportunities in the area of Food, Bioeconomy, Natural resources, Agriculture and Environment? Then don’t miss the Horizon Europe (HE) Cluster 6 information days about the Work Programme 2024.

ERRIN Culture & Creativity Cluster Project Development Session

The Cultural Heritage & Tourism Working Group is hosting a project development session in collaboration with the Design & Creativity Working Group and the NEB task force, following call for all members and their regional ecosystems to express their interest in the HORIZON Europe calls focusing on culture, creativity and cross-cutting areas such as tourism, circular economy and design.

WG Documents

WG Documents

The pivotal role of regions and industry for a thriving bioeconomy: ERRIN - BIC joint position paper

ERRIN, through its Bioeconomy WG, and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) have jointly released a position paper outlining a proposal for the most pressing actions for the European bioeconomy to be tackled during the upcoming European Commission mandate period.

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

WG Related Content

3rd REINFORCING Open Call on EU Missions

The REINFORCING project has opened a call to support organisations and territories that actively contribute to the EU Missions by engaging relevant stakeholders, including citizens, in the R&I process and/or policies connected to one of the Missions. Successful proposals will receive up to 60,000 euros to implement a 12-month project. The deadline for submitting proposals is 26 September 2024.

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 Astrid Hannes

HOOP Policy Conference: What barriers and drivers for the transition to local circular bioeconomy systems?

The HOOP Policy Conference, taking place on 4-5 June at the Committee of the Regions in Brussels, will discuss the barriers and drivers for the transition to local circular bioeconomy systems. This conference will bring cities and regions together to discuss and learn about implementing innovative circular bioeconomy solutions. A dedicated policy session will allow cities to voice their concerns and challenges to EU institutions and federations. Registration is open until 24 May.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

2nd C4T Conference: Sustainability Transitions in Cohesion Policy: From Policy to Practice

The C4T Community of Practice is a community-based platform that aims to support EU Member States and regions to make a better use of EU funds for sustainability transitions. With this in mind, DG REGIO and the C4T Secretariat will be hosting the second edition of the C4T Conference "Sustainability Transitions in Cohesion Policy: From Policy to Practice" on 4 June 2024, in Brussels and online.

  • By Pieter de Jong

Water4All boosting EU Water Resilience

Green Water Week Partner Event hosted by WaterCampus Leeuwarden and European Partnership Water4All. The event will take place in Brussels on 30 May, from 13:00-18:30.

  • By Angèle Liaigre

Water4All Partnership - Green Week Partner Event 2024

In the frame of the Green Week, the Horizon Europe Partnership Water4All, together with the WaterCampus in Leeuwarden, organises an event to highlight the results of the first calls and highlight solutions for water resilience in cities and industries. The event will take place in Brussels on 30 May, 13:00 - 17:30.

  • By Ingvild Jacobsen

Urban and sustainable water solutions: tackling key challenges in the Nordic capital regions

The Nordic capital regions of Copenhagen, Helsinki, Oslo and Stockholm are hosting a EU Green Week partner event on urban sustainable water solutions on 30 May from 10:00-12:00 at Rue Guimard 7, 1040 Brussels. The impact of climate change, pollution and challenges of management has put pressure on water resources all around Europe and is affecting the way of life for citizens. Join on 30 May to discuss how to tackle key challenges in sustainable water management.

  • By Francesca Pozzebon

Living Labs in EU Missions and Partnerships

ENoLL, the European Network of Living Labs, will hold an event on 'Living Labs in EU Missions and Partnerships', featuring expert speakers from the European Commission and successful Living Lab projects, to explore collaboration and synergies between Living Labs, innovation ecosystems connecting different stakeholders, and other EU initiatives, namely the EU Missions. The event will take place on 30 May.