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.

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

The Edinburgh Declaration: The role of regional governments within the UN Convention on Biodiversity - COP15

Scotland House Brussels is organising the event 'The Edinburgh Declaration: The role of regional governments within the UN Convention on Biodiversity - COP15' for a celebration of regional and local action in the global fight against biodiversity loss. The event will take place on 1 June and will be organised in collaboration with the European Committee of the Regions and ICLEI.

Boosting circular economy in the transition towards climate neutrality

The Interreg MED Green Growth project, in which ERRIN is a partner, is organising its final event 'Boosting circular economy in the transition towards climate neutrality' in Brussels on 1 June. Taking place the day after the EU Green Week conference in Brussels, the event presents a perfect opportunity for participants to combine both events and to network with circular economy enthusiasts from across Europe.

Digitisation of biology for circular bioeconomy applications

The University of Tartu and Estonian Research Council are organising a networking seminar on May 31 in Brussels on the digitization of biology for circular bioeconomy applications. Registration are open until 23 May.

A step forward in Forest Policy: the Mediterranean perspective

‘A step forward in Forest Policy: the Mediterranean perspective’ is a EU Green Week 2022 partner event taking place in Brussels on 31 May. Representatives from the EU institutions, associations, and organizations involved in the development of forest policy are invited to join the roundtable discussion on the future of EU forest policy.

EU Green Week 2022: EU Green Deal - Make it Real

The EU Green Week 2022 will take place from 30 May to 5 June 2022 under the theme "European Green Deal - Make it Real", with the main conference planned in a hybrid format in Brussels on 30-31 May. A call for EU Green Week 2022 Partner Events is open until 15 April.

3rd ERA CoBioTech Hub Meeting

During its final ERA CoBioTech Hub Meeting, which will take place as a virtual conference on 19 May 2022, ERA CoBioTech gathers the diverse actors of the new European Partnerships and in the fields of biotechnology, bioeconomy, life sciences and other innovative technologies.

WG Documents

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

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.

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.

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.

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 Teresa Vio

ERRIN is looking for two Climate Neutral Cities Advisors (deadline: 15 May)

ERRIN is looking for two Climate Neutral Cities Advisors to join its Secretariat! The successful candidates will work to ensure the delivery of the Horizon Europe Mission on climate-neutral and smart cities by taking part in the activities of the NetZeroCities project. The deadline to apply is 15 May.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

EU R&I community providing support for Ukrainian researchers

In the context of the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the ongoing war, members of the EU R&I community are mobilising efforts to support Ukrainian researchers. To engage and inspire, ERRIN members are encouraged to share information about their regional activities and initiatives in support of Ukraine's R&I ecosystem on the ERRIN website, using the tag ‘Solidarity with Ukraine’.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

Call for short videos on innovative regional initiatives to be presented at WIRE 2022

To highlight innovation in Europe during this year's edition of the Week of Innovative Regions in Europe (WIRE) in France, short videos will be played during the event, presenting innovative R&I related activities/initiatives/projects led by the European regions. Regions interested in showcasing their initiatives can submit the videos until 29 April 2022.

  • By Nathalie Alvarez

HOOP Launches Urban Bioeconomy Network For Cities And Regions

The HOOP Network of cities and regions has been launched to facilitate exchange of knowledge and mutual learning among cities and regions willing to recover valuable resources from urban biowaste and wastewater.

  • By Astrid Hannes

Open call: European Circular Cities and Regions Initiative

Apply before 29 April 2022 to become a European frontrunning circular city or region! ERRIN is a partner in a new initiative of the European Commission, which offers first-hand tailor-made expert support to implement circular systemic solutions on local and regional scale.

  • By Heidi Johansson

Call for experts for a peer review on pharmaceuticals in the environment

The Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform has launched a call for experts for a peer review on pharmaceuticals in the environment including AMR for the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. The deadline for submitting your interest to take part in the peer review as an expert is 23 March 2022.