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
Translating EU Missions into regional policy
The TRAMI project and ERRIN are organising a mutual learning event on 18 October. The event will aim to showcase a successful translation of the EU Missions approach into concrete policies and tools on the regional level and to foster the discussion on challenges and opportunities with its implementation.
Sustainable Resource Use - From Coring to Coding
The event 'Sustainable Resource Use - From Coring to Coding', held in-person and online on 17 October, will present two perspectives on sustainable resource use; the first addresses the need for environmental resources in the development and use of AI with the ethical issues associated, for example, environmental and intergenerational justice. The second perspective will look at Europe’s own natural resources and the difficulties in turning these natural deposits into mines that can address European needs.
Food 2030: Regions as Agents of Change for Sustainable Food Systems and Bio-Based Solutions
ERRIN is supporting a Participatory Lab organised by the European Commission within the frame of the European Week of Regions and Cities. This interactive event, which will take place on 12 October, will include presentations by ERRIN members and discussions on food systems and bio-based solutions.
The Bioeconomy - Enabling the European Green Deal in Challenging Times
The European Commission is organising the conference ‘The Bioeconomy - Enabling the European Green Deal in Challenging Times’ on 6 - 7 October in Brussels. This hybrid conference will provide an opportunity to present the findings of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy Progress Report, as well as a series of bioeconomy success stories from EU research and innovation.
Bioeconomy WG meeting: The urban perspective of forestry
The Bioeconomy WG is organising a meeting on the urban perspective of forestry, taking place as a physical meeting on 5 October between 10:30-12:00. In this meeting, the European Commission will present the EU policy framework on urban greening and initiatives that support the creation of greener, healthier and more liveable cities. The meeting will also showcase innovative projects and activities that cities and regions are undertaking to incorporate forests, green areas and other greening interventions into the urban landscape.
European project development workshop - Emergence of European projects on nutrition for health
A European project development workshop is planned in Nantes, Pays de la Loire, on the 3rd of October in order to discuss upcoming Horizon Europe opportunities linked to nutrition, food, feed, and health (cluster 1 and 6). The workshop will take place ahead of the Nutrevent conference (4-5th October).
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.
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.
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.
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 Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha
A report on the Biorefining Potential for Scotland
The most detailed insight yet into the circular economy opportunities for bio-based waste and by-products generated in Scotland. In the Biorefining Potential for Scotland report, bio-resource arisings in Scotland have been mapped to understand the scale and shape of the potential market.
- By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha
Bio Base NWE Project Wins RegioStars Award 2017
The Bio Base NWE project, coordinated by Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant from 2013 to 2015, won the RegioStars Award 2017 in the category ‘Smart Specialisation for SME Innovation‘. Bio Base NWE, co-financed by the INTERREG IVB programme of the European Union, brought together bio-based economy experts from eight organisations in five different countries.
- By Gianpiero Petruzziello
Overcoming investment barriers in the forest sector
The European Forest Institute – Bioregions Facility and the European Investment Bank are organising the hybrid workshop 'Overcoming investment barriers in the forest sector' on 13 September 2024. The event targets participants from regional governments, business development agencies, financial institutes, EU Commission representatives, forest and wood industries and Brussels-based networks.
- By Daniele Ruggiano
Workshop on regional policies to promote the adoption of innovation by public administrations
The EU project Prepare brings together four regions that are interacting with the local ecosystems to design novel policies that promote demand-driven co-creation for the benefit of local public services, SMEs and citizens. The aim is to help unlock the potential of innovation procurement to turn regional needs into opportunities. A workshop with thematic insights, resources and best practices will take place on 27 June from 9:00-12:30 in Brussels.
- By Annelie Zapfe
From Vision to Action: Co-Creating Rural Futures
The development and connectivity of rural areas, along with their interaction with urban regions, is a critical concern for Thuringia and many European regions. This event aims to initiate a co-design process in collaboration with like-minded European regions. You are invited to share your experiences, discuss, and contribute to the thematic topics of the World Café sessions: (1) Buildings as a Resource, (2) Mobility and Digitalisation, and (3) Community and Society. Your active participation and input, or that of your region, would be invaluable to this collaborative effort. This event will take place in Brussels, on 25 June, 14:30-19:00.
- By Daniele Ruggiano
Future of the EU Missions in the FP10 & Launch of the Mission Playbook
The TRAMI Project, cordially invites you to join an inspiring discussion on the future of the EU Missions and the launch of the TRAMI Mission Playbook. The event will be held in NCBR Office in Brussels (Rue Belliard 40, Brussels, 5th Floor) on 25 June, 13:00–16:00.