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
Two new NEB funding opportunities are open
The EIT Community New European Bauhaus (NEB) has announced two new funding opportunities, Connect NEB and Co-create NEB – calling for citizen-generated solutions to the challenges facing cities, peri-urban and rural areas.
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.
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 Ewa Chomicz
Policy WG meeting: Role of EU Missions in FP10
ERRIN has been actively working on the topic of EU Missions as one of the network's priorities. As we continue preparations towards the next European Framework Programme for R&I, the upcoming Policy Working Group meeting will focus on the role of EU Missions in FP10. The event will take place in person at the ERRIN premises on 23 April from 14:00-16:00.
- By Heidi Johansson
Co-creation and citizen engagement in EU Missions Workshop
ERRIN is supporting the REINFORCING project in organising an interactive workshop aimed at exploring the challenges and needs faced by cities and regions regarding citizen engagement within the EU Missions. The project will support organisations financially with specific training, capacity-building sessions, mentoring opportunities and peer learning. The workshop will be organised on 23 April between 11:30-13:00 at ERRIN’s office.
- By Silvia Ghiretti
Info days on the LIFE 2024 calls
The Info Days on the LIFE 2024 calls for proposals will take place from 23 to 26 April. Registration is open until 8 April. These info days will guide potential applicants through the new calls for proposals, the priority themes for 2024 and the four LIFE sub-programmes.
- By Astrid Hannes
Infoday CBE JU 2024 Funding opportunities
The CBE JU Info Day 2024 will take place on 23 April 2024 and provide insights into the upcoming call for project proposals 2024. This in person event offers networking opportunities to engage with other CBE JU community members.
- By Pieter de Jong
4th Africa-Europe Science Collaboration Forum
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 scientific endeavours, the Forum seeks to enhance the inclusion of African stakeholders with European counterparts through strategic collaborations in science and innovation.
- By Ewa Chomicz
ERRIN Intro Coffee
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!