Digital innovation can play a crucial role in strengthening the competitiveness of bio-based feedstocks and products in the European bioeconomy. By providing consumers and industry with essential information on sustainability and circularity criteria of bio-based products and their value chains, digital solutions and tools improve the tracking and traceability of biological feedstocks from their origin to a final product. These digital tools offer valuable insights into a wide range of sustainability criteria, e.g., climate impacts, environmental effects on soil, water and air quality and technical performance. By covering these key areas, digital tools enable a holistic understanding of the sustainability performance of bio-based products and processes throughout their lifecycle.

Digital solutions are set to boost the European bioeconomy by providing critical information on feedstock tracking, sustainability, and certification for bio-based products.

To showcase these advances, a free webinar hosted by Horizon Europe projects 3-CO and BioReCer will introduce several innovative digital tools.

Scheduled for April 8, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM CET, the event offers an excellent opportunity to understand the future of digital technologies in the bioeconomy. Four tools developed by EU-funded projects will be presented and made available to users in the near future.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lP06EuYaQ0arvrof5ZnEAw

Read more on the webinar content, the participating EU-projects and the speakers here

The Urban Forest Innovation Lab (UFIL) is launching the 6th edition of its entrepreneurship program in forest bioeconomy. This free program, funded by the Fundación Biodiversidad and supported by the City Council of Cuenca, offers a unique opportunity for innovators to develop sustainable business ideas in the forestry sector.

Who can apply?

UFIL is open to residents of the European Union with innovative ideas related to forest bioeconomy. No previous experience or specific background in the sector is required. Established companies who want to open a new line of business can also apply.

Program details

•Duration: March – July 2025

•Format: A combination of online training and mentoring, plus in-person workshops in Cuenca, Spain

•Total hours: 260 hours of training and mentoring

•Language: Spanish

•Certification: Participants will receive a certificate from the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM)

Areas of innovation

Selected projects should focus on one of these key areas:

•Protective forest: Business models for ecosystem services such as sustainable tourism, water conservation, or biodiversity.

•Productive forest: Sustainable use of wood and non-wood forest products.

•Innovative forest: Technological solutions for sustainable forest management, including Industry 5.0, deep-tech, and mobile applications.

Resources and support

Participants will have access to a fully equipped innovation lab, designed to support the development and testing of new business solutions. Experts from the public and private sectors will provide mentorship throughout the program.

How to apply?

The application deadline is February 16, 2025. Apply now via https://ufilcuenca.es/

Are you a policy expert with knowledge and experiences in plastics, construction, textile, or chemical sectors? Then, don’t miss the series of workshops “From Vision to Implementation: Shaping Policies to Boost Circular Bio-Based Transition” organised by SUSTRACK!

These workshops aim to:

• Gain insights from keynote speakers outlining the transition challenge, the policy landscape and visions for the transition of the chemical, textile, plastics and construction sectors;
• Explore policy options identified by the SUSTRACK project that may be considered to boost the circular bio-based economy transition in the different sectors;
• Collaboratively identify the strengths and weaknesses of the proposed policy options, as well as discuss further possible policy opportunities/approaches.

The workshop series will conclude with the online “IMPLEMENT Conference” on 21 March 2025, 11:00–12:30 CET, which will provide actionable knowledge and policy recommendations for fostering the transition to a circular bio-based economy.

The workshops will be held online between February and March 2025:

• CHEMICAL sector: 27th of February 2025; 10:00 – 11:30 CET – Agenda
• TEXTILE sector: 28th of February 2025, 10:00 – 11:30 CET – Agenda
• PLASTICS sector: 5th of March 2025, 10:00 – 11:30 CET – Agenda
• CONSTRUCTION sector: 6th of March 2025, 10:00 – 11:30 CET – Agenda

You’re welcome to join one or more workshops—simply register here and choose your preferred sessions.

Each workshop will include:

• Key note speeches to introduce the policy landscape, transformation status and challenges towards the transition to circular bio-based economy in the four sectors;
• Presentation of SUSTRACK approach to identify policy options and outline the selected policies in more detail.
• An interactive session, where participants will then be able to discuss the policy options, suggest alternative policies and share insights on implementing the policies and subsequent effects on the sectors.

This is your chance to share your vision and influence the development and implementation of policies that promote the circular bio-based transition.

Interested? Register now to one or more workshops and mark your calendars to join the series!

Are you interested in designing vocational training for bioeconomy or similar fields?

Join us for our Engage4BIO webinar where we will provide insights into the co-creation from finding an idea to implementing a final successful one-day training.

• Welcome
• Training development: a co-creative process
• Training structure and format: Overview of our modules, format chosen and audience feedback
• Outlook

• Gain inspiration for developing bioeconomy VET trainings
• Build networks with other EU projects focused on similar goals
• Learn from critical insights based on practical examples
• Access valuable open-source training materials

Register here!

The European Bioeconomy Network has been highlighted in the new report “Enhancing Stakeholder Involvement in EU Bioeconomy Policy” , released by the European Commission, as a key success story stemming from the BIOVOICES project. The BIOVOICES project was recognised as a standout case study for its effective stakeholder engagement strategies and, among other achievements, made a significant impact by founding EuBioNet, which now connects over 150 EU-funded projects and initiatives focused on promoting the bioeconomy.

The report underscores EuBioNet’s role in facilitating cross-project collaboration and knowledge sharing, which has been pivotal in enhancing stakeholder engagement within the bioeconomy. In fact, EuBioNet was recognized as a model of best practice in the EU Bioeconomy Strategy 2018 for its ability to foster stakeholder involvement and increase the impact and exploitation of bioeconomy projects across Europe.

By continuing to promote the exchange of knowledge and best practices, stimulating thematic dialogues boosting the bioeconomy uptake, EuBioNet remains a vital platform for driving the ongoing success of the bioeconomy transition in Europe.

Not yet a member? Propose your project or initiative and join the network!