The Bioeconomy Day 2022 took place in Ravenna, Italy, hosted by Alighieri Theatre, on the 25^th and 26^th of May. The initiative was launched by the Cluster SPRING (the Italian Cluster of Circular Bioeconomy),  in collaboration with Assobiotec-Federchimica, Raul Gardini Foundation, APRE and FVA representing the European funded project Transition2Bio, Novamont and Re Soil Foundation and the European Bioeconomy Network.

The two days stimulated the debate on the importance  of embracing a radical paradigm shift in the current model for the economic development, with the aim of making it more sustainable. The event engaged major Italian players from the economic and financial sectors (e.g. Novamont, Confagricoltura, Coldiretti, Orogel, ABI, Intesa San Paolo, etc.) but also important stakeholders, representatives of the Academia and policymakers. The festival also hosted Gunter Pauli, economist, entrepreneur, author and founder of the Blue Economy model. Together with the round tables and speeches, the awarding ceremony of the school competition “Bioeconomy4YOU” took place during the second day of the festival, which was entirely dedicated to young generations and their role in the green transition.

The first round table was about the role of circular bioeconomy as pillar of the ecological transition, with a special focus on the importance of communicating the bioeconomy, an activity promoted by many European funded projects like BIOVOICES and Transition2Bio, in this occasion represented by Chiara Pocaterra (APRE) and Susanna Albertini (FVA). The book for kids “what’s bioeconomy”, translated in 12 languages and distributed in more than 20.000 copies, was presented as a success story.

“The circular bioeconomy is necessary to drive the ecological transition and increase the competitiveness of our country”, said Catia Bastioli, A.D. of Novamont and President of Cluster SPRING, who also added that this operation requires a systemic approach to support the  value chain creation, as well as to develop eco-design and increase the biodegradability of products.

Two key examples on how bioeconomy in Italy is a strong sector lead by women were also presented with the participation Silvia Buzzi, Caviro Extra’s HSE & Sustainability Manager and Carla Marchioro, Director of the R&D division of Endura SpA. Silvia shown how her company – which is part of the largest wine cooperative in Italy – is engaged “in extracting added value compounds from all residues products of winemaking”. On the other hand, Carla explained how her company is a world leader in the production of Piperonyl Butoxide (PBO), which can be extracted from sassafras oil, but also synthesised by recycling solvents.

During the two days of the festival, the BioArt Gallery exhibition was displayed in the “Sala Corelli” with 24 panels showcasing the potential of the circular bioeconomy in everyday life, through practical examples of application of renewable materials, including residues, to produce bio-based solutions in different sectors.

Bioeconomy4YOU, the role of young generations

The second day of the Bioeconomy Day, was entirely dedicated to students, young people and teachers and the main event was the awarding ceremony of the Bioeconomy4YOU school competition, organized by Re Soil Foundation in collaboration with Cluster SPRING, Raul Gardini Foundation, Novamont and Transition2Bio (APRE e FVA). The aim of the contest was to raise awareness, inform and educate young generations on these topics, collecting and awarding the most creative ideas on how they imagine their future in the circular bioeconomy.

41 applications were submitted to the competition, which was divided in four different categories:

1. Primary schools
2. Secondary schools
3. High Schools, with two different categories, “bio-product” and “Our bio-future”
4. Teachers

The jury selected the best ideas, taking into account the originality and creativity of the proposal, the correct identification of an environmental problem, the quality and clarity of presentation and the consideration of the entire life cycle of the product.

Winning students and teachers were awarded with money prizes, educational materials, bio-based gadgets, books and magazines.

The ICA Community of Practice for Bioeconomy Education is organizing a Colloquium about “Interdisciplinary Education for the Bioeconomy: embedding the mindset of the bioeconomy in the curricula of Bachelor degree programmes“, which will be held on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 May at the Monasterium Poortackere, Ghent, Belgium.

Useful links:
Colloquium Programme
Call for case studies
Registration

Colloquium focus

The Colloquium will focus on education for the Bioeconomy at the Bachelor level, with the focus on the ambition to develop the mindset of students for the Sustainable Circular Bioeconomy through the curriculum of Bachelor degree programmes.

Students follow many different Bachelor degree programmes which can provide opportunities for careers in the different fields of the bioeconomy represented by agriculture, forestry, horticulture, blue economy, food value chain, biotechnology, and the bio-based economy. However, many graduates on leaving education are not aware of the career opportunities and the scope of the Sustainable Circular Bioeconomy. Employers in these industries need staff who bring the perspective of the Sustainable Circular Bioeconomy to their particular job in the workplace.

These many existing specific Bachelor degree programmes, related to the many disciplines underpinning the Bioeconomy, need to incorporate within the curriculum an understanding of the concept and interdisciplinarity of the Sustainable Circular Bioeconomy.

The goal of the Colloquium is to address how such an interdisciplinarity mindset of the Sustainable Circular Bioeconomy should be embedded in the curricula of these Bachelor degree programmes.

The question is posed in terms of the concept of the structure of degree programmes based on the T principle. How to present the interdisciplinarity of the cross bar of the T in a degree programme with the specialisation portrayed by the vertical bar of the T? How should the balance be made between the cross bar and the vertical bar during the delivery of the curriculum? What learning trajectory steps should be made across the curriculum of a Bachelor degree programme to embed the mindset of the Sustainable Circular Bioeconomy in the student’s experience?

Bachelor and Master stand-alone Bioeconomy degree programmes are not the focus of this Colloquium but will contribute, through their defined learning outcomes, to the discussion of how to embed the interdisciplinarity of the Sustainable Circular Bioeconomy in specific Bachelor degree programmes.

Colloquium themes

Framing the challenge, by reviewing the learning outcomes from specific Bachelor and Master Bioeconomy degree programmes and then defining the learning outcomes required to deliver the Sustainable Circular Bioeconomy mindset.

Developing a learning trajectory for delivering the interdisciplinary concept in Bachelor degree programmes, which can contribute to the Sustainable Circular Bioeconomy.

Specific teaching and learning activities to support the development of interdisciplinarity for the bioeconomy, including cooperation with industry, in Bachelor specific degree programmes.

What strategic approaches are required to embed the delivery of this mindset in all Bachelor degree programmes in a life science faculty/ university.

The Colloquium Outcomes will allow delegates to:

• Define the overarching learning outcomes for the developing the mindset of the Sustainable Circular Bioeconomy in Bachelor degree programmes underpinning the Sustainable Circular Bioeconomy – for the industry sectors of agriculture, forestry, blue economy, food value chain, biotechnology and the bio-based economy.
• Define opportunities and learning activities in the learning trajectory to deliver the learning outcomes of the Sustainable Circular Bioeconomy in the curricula of specific Bachelor degree programmes.

Target Audience

Degree programme co-ordinators, lecturers, members of committees responsible for the (strategic) development of curricula. National education advisers are also invited to contribute to the discussion.

Colloquium Format

Each Session of the Forum theme will be addressed by keynote speakers followed by small round table breakout groups to discuss the issues raised, with a concluding report from the breakout groups of the issues raised in the final session.

Colloquium organising committee

• Josef Glössl, BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
• Ingar Janzik, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH and Bioeconomy Science Center, Germany
• Han van Osch (Chair), Avans University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands & Dutch Biobased Knowledge Network
• Mona-Anitta Riihimäki, Häme University of Applied Sciences, Finland
• George Sakellaris, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague & BioEast
• Constantinos Vorgias, University of Athens, Greece
• Simon Heath, ICA Deputy Secretary General

The European Commission has just launched a new “Have you say” on “Circular economy monitoring framework“. Feedback period open until 03 June 2022  (midnight Brussels time).

In 2018, the Commission adopted a set of indicators to assess progress towards a more circular economy and the effectiveness of action at EU and national level. Citizens can follow progress on a dedicated website (https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/circular-economy). The present revision of the monitoring framework aims to better cover the production stage of the economic cycle and the links between circularity, climate neutrality and zero pollution, in line with the European Green Deal ambition.

All the detailed information are available here.

The event “Youth for a greener clothing and fashion industry” will take place online on the 18 of May from 15.00-17.30 CEST.

It has been selected by the European Commission among the 36 flagship initiatives of the #TheGreenTrack campaign, which intends to give visibility to young people engaged in activities in favor of the environment ahead of the United Nations’ Biodiversity Conference “COP15”.

The event, organised by the EU-funded ‘ENI CBC Med’ Programme, aims to highlight experiences and practical examples put in place by young fashion designers/creators/entrepreneurs from both shores of the Mediterranean to reduce the environmental impact of the textile production and extend the life cycle of clothes. We will also host a representative of the fashion brand ‘Salvatore Ferragamo’ and of the European Commission which will present the new EU strategy on sustainable textile products.

The announcement of the event, agenda and the registration link, are available on the Programme website at the following link: https://www.enicbcmed.eu/register-now-online-event-youth-greener-clothing-and-fashion-industry

The European Commission is enabling the shift to the circular economy and making sustainable products the norm with a new package of European Green Deal proposals, as part of the Circular Economy Action Plan.

The proposal for a Regulation on Ecodesign for Sustainable Products (ESPR) addresses product design by setting new requirements to make almost all products on the EU market more circular, energy efficient, and reduce their environmental and climate footprint.

The webinar “What are its potential implications for product development and corporate strategy?” will take place on 16 May 2022 from 14.30 to 15.30 CET.

What you can expect:

In this webinar we will explore the potential implications for product development and corporate strategy as a result of this proposed regulation.

The webinar will begin with an introduction to the policy area and it’s expected development trajectory presented by Jean-Pierre Schweitzer, Senior Policy Officer for Circular Economy and Product Policy at European Environmental Bureau. Following which, there will be a moderated panel discussion on the potential implications of the proposed regulation according to the following questions:

• How do you think this policy could impact company strategy and business models?
• How do you think this policy could impact the way products are being developed?
• How do you think companies should prepare?

Speakers

The panel will feature the following speakers:

• Thijs Maartens, Sustainability and Circular Economy Lead at Philips
• Mette Bak-Andersen, Designer, Researcher and Sustainability Advisor. Author of the book Reintroducing Materials for Sustainable Design
• Jean-Pierre Schweitzer, Senior Policy Officer for Circular Economy and Product Policy at European Environmental Bureau
• Moderator: Michelle Gordon, Nordic Sustainability

How to join

The webinar will be conducted via Zoom. The link will be sent out to participants prior to the event.
Please note that the webinar will be recorded.

Register here.