Author: Selenia Marinelli

DRAGONS project

DRAGONS project

Posted on by Selenia Marinelli
This project ends on: 31/05/2029

Diffusing biodiversity Response-able Action and awareness raising through citizen empowerment, inclusive engagement and innovative GOvernance of Nature and Society

DRAGONS is a Horizon Europe project investigating how people understand and respond to the biodiversity crisis, and how communication, citizen engagement and inclusive governance can support nature restoration. Working across five European and international case-study contexts (Finland, the Netherlands, the UK, Colombia and Spain) the project examines biodiversity narratives, perceptions and barriers to action. It brings together researchers, communities and other stakeholders to co-design, test and assess approaches that strengthen public participation, dialogue and engagement in biodiversity and nature restoration. Through collaborative research, communication and knowledge exchange, DRAGONS aims to support more inclusive and effective biodiversity governance.

Contact:

Dr. Jackie Abell: Jackie.Abell2@coventry.ac.uk

website: https://networknature.eu/dragons

PACE project

PACE project

Posted on by Selenia Marinelli
This project ends on: 30/04/2030

Potato Juice to Fatty Acids for New Bio-Based Value-Chains in Europe

Circular bioeconomy is crucial for achieving Europe’s competitive economy and climate targets, but it still faces technical and logistical barriers, and does not use waste resources to their full potential. The modernisation and integration of biorefineries, particularly through the use of local waste and sidestreams, offers sustainable solutions to boost domestic production, diversify the offer of bio-based products, and reduce environmental impact.
PACE will demonstrate a first-of-its-kind full-scale biorefinery by retrofitting part of Avebe’s existing facility and realising a plant based on ChainCraft’s proprietary technology for conversion of organic residues to biobased chemicals. This plant will use advanced fermentation and microbial chain elongation to convert potato juice into valuable bio-based medium-chain fatty acids (MFCAs), supporting zero-waste operations and new circular value chains in the chemical industry.
The project will provide sustainable, bio-based alternatives to conventional MCFAs, which are often derived from crude oil or unsustainable palm oil. By involving a range of stakeholders through a collaborative approach, it will boost demand and acceptance of bio-based MCFAs, transforming the market.

Contact:

Konstantina Koutrouveli: info@pace-project.eu

website: https://pace-project.eu/

MARMADE project

MARMADE project

Posted on by Selenia Marinelli
This project ends on: 31/08/2029

MARine bioMass valorizAtion for fooD and fEed innovation

MARMADE is creating a sustainable and innovative bio-based value chain for turning marine biomass into high-value food and feed ingredients. The aim is to valorize crustacean residues (shrimp and blue crab shells) and seaweed to develop affordable, nutritious, safe, and sustainable ingredients.
Through advanced biorefinery processes, the project converts these underutilized marine resources into a portfolio of high-value bio-based products in a cascading extraction approach. These valuable extracts include pre/postbiotics, vitamins, peptides, oligosaccharides, fats, emulsifiers, and digestibility enhancers.
The final products are innovative food and feed prototypes with improved nutritional and sensory properties. The entire process is rigorously checked for compliance with safety, sustainability, and regulatory standards, integrating the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework.

Contact:

Stella Bazdani: stella.bazdani@enateam.gr

website: https://marmade-project.eu/

BIOSPARK project

BIOSPARK project

Posted on by Selenia Marinelli
This project ends on: 31/03/2029

Skills Promotion and Awareness for Regenerative Knowledge

The bioeconomy is a key driver of sustainable growth in Europe. Despite progress in technological development, education and training in the sector are not keeping up with the industry needs. New skills and a mindset shift across the stakeholder community are required. There is also a need to actively implement the lessons learned, apply policy and educational recommendations, and prepare for future advancements in bioeconomy systems.

BIOSPARK will address these challenges by developing and validating demand-driven curricula for the education, training, and reskilling of students and professionals. A network of bio-based educational centres across the 27 EU member states will support mutual learning and knowledge exchange. The project will dedicate strong effort to involving the so-called widening countries, less R&I advanced EU member states, associated countries and outermost regions.

It will also strengthen the European bioeconomy by fostering strong collaborations between universities, research and technology organisations, and industry.

Contact:

Merve Atasoy: merve.atasoy@uef.fi

website: https://biosparkproject.eu/

FLEXIZYME project

FLEXIZYME project

Posted on by Selenia Marinelli
This project ends on: 31/05/2028

Construction of a FLEXIble and adaptable enZYMatic biotechnological platform for sustainablE industrial production of bio-based fatty amines from side stream materials

FLEXIZYME project aims to develop a sustainable, scalable biotechnological platform to produce fatty amines from renewable biorefinery side streams. Through the integration of enzyme engineering, biocatalysis, and AI tools, the project will contribute to replacing traditional fossil-based production methods with sustainable and resource-efficient alternatives.

Contact:

Annabel Serpico, PhD: annabel.serpico@itene.com

website: https://www.flexizyme.eu/

FoodCoP project

FoodCoP project

Posted on by Selenia Marinelli
This project ends on: 31/10/2026

Fuelling Startup Villages with Circular Bioeconomy Strategies

FoodCoP is an innovative venture to enhance interregional collaboration among Startup Villages, aligning stakeholder interests to catalyse sustainable growth through circular bioeconomy principles. It builds a collaborative framework, fosters food system transformation, and strengthens knowledge exchange among rural innovators across three Startup Village territories.

Contact:

Rita Barros: info@foodcop.eu

website: https://foodcop.eu; https://www.platform-foodcop.eu/

PROSPLIGN project

PROSPLIGN project

Posted on by Selenia Marinelli
This project ends on: 30/06/2027

Prospecting natural lignin biodiversity towards unlocking value-added bioactive motifs and molecules

PROSPLIGN aims to unlock the potential of lignin as a source of high-value bioactive molecules through an innovative bioprospecting approach combining chemical and enzymatic methods, statistical analysis and high-throughput screening. Using lignin derived from diverse plant species, the project investigates lignin-derived compounds for applications in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and fragrance sectors. Ultimately, PROSPLIGN seeks to contribute to a new generation of sustainable biobased bioactives while creating greater value from abundant and currently underutilised lignocellulosic biomass.

Contact:

Leanne Eve Frawley: malta@magfi.eu; leafra@magfi.eu

website: https://prosplign.eu/

Join the BioGov.net final event in Brussels “Growing Together: Art, Inclusion & Green Skills”!

Join the BioGov.net final event in Brussels “Growing Together: Art, Inclusion & Green Skills”!

Posted on by Selenia Marinelli

On 14 May 2025 join BioGov.net project in Brussels for the Final Event “Growing Together: Art, Inclusion & Green Skills”, where the key results focused on capacity building, governance, and skills development for a sustainable and circular bioeconomy will be presented to the community in bioeconomy education and relevant policy makers.

Date: 14th of May, 2025
Time: 14h30 to 17h30
Venue: Comet Louise Brussels, Belgium – Pl. Stéphanie 20, 1050 Bruxelles, Bélgica

Check the agenda here!
And don’t miss the chance to register here!

Details

Over the past two years, BioGov.net has collaborated across eight European countries, engaging diverse stakeholders to identify local needs and co-create solutions that enable regions to lead in the transition toward a greener, more inclusive bioeconomy.
This final event brings together policymakers, educators, researchers, and bioeconomy practitioners to explore how the project’s outcomes and tools can support regional strategies and capacity building across Europe.

Dive into insights that shape regional and EU bioeconomy strategies during the Policy & Education Recommendations session, followed by two interactive moments: the Designing a Bio-Based Education Programme session and the Art Meets Bioeconomy session—a unique sensory experience blending creativity and sustainability.

Don’t miss our Exhibition Corner, showcasing standout project results and innovative, even disruptive, bio-based products!

From date
2025-05-14
To date
2025-05-14
EU’s Bioeconomy Strategy Consultation Just Launched!

EU’s Bioeconomy Strategy Consultation Just Launched!

Posted on by Selenia Marinelli

The European Commission has just launched a public consultation on the upcoming EU Bioeconomy Strategy.
Feedback and consultation period: 31 March 2025 – 23 June 2025

The Commission uses Call for evidence to define the scope of:

  • a politically sensitive and/or important new law or policy
  • an evaluation of an existing law or policy
  • a fitness check of a bundle of related existing laws and/or policies

A Call for evidence describes the problem to be tackled and objectives to be met, explains why EU action is needed, outlines policy options and describes the main features of the consultation strategy, including whether a public consultation with a questionnaire is needed.

The Call for evidence combines two steps that were previously sequential: the roadmap/inception impact assessment and the questionnaire (where relevant).

Participate in the call and make your voice heard! Browse the call here.

From date
2025-03-31
To date
2025-06-23
Join GenB and BioBeo in Brussels for their Final Event!

Join GenB and BioBeo in Brussels for their Final Event!

Posted on by Selenia Marinelli

Next 10 April 2025, GenB and BioBeo will hoste their Final Event in Brussels, where they will explore how education and policy can drive the transition towards a sustainable and circular bioeconomy.

This event, titled “Bridging generations: Education and Policy to shape a sustainable future” will showcase the results, educational models and tools developed by the GenB and BioBeo in the past two years, as well as good practices and recommendations for key EU funded projects and experts in bioeconomy education.

Why should you attend?

  • Gain insights into the future of bioeconomy education
  • Explore actionable policy recommendations
  • Connect with experts and stakeholders
  • Participate in an immersive, hands-on bioeconomy experience!

Register here
Browse the agenda here

From date
2025-04-10
To date
2025-04-10