BIO2REG Connect brings regional authorities, clusters, researchers, development actors, policymakers, and experts together. The event focuses on practical pathways for advancing circular and bio-based innovation across Europe’s regions.

The morning features keynotes from the European Research Executive Agency, EU-level policy insights and regional development actors, to set the scene for regional pathways in a fair and just bioeconomy transition. It also includes insights from BIO2REG on the support available for regions, as well as pitches showcasing concrete regional initiatives and services that can help accelerate regional bioeconomy projects.

The afternoon focuses on lively exchange and direct dialogue. An interactive session will bring together regional experiences and perspectives to identify common needs and challenges and turn them into concrete next steps. Breakout discussions and a “speed-dating” session create space to connect, share ideas, and learn from each other, followed by a networking reception.

BIO2REG Connect – turn knowledge into action and strengthen your regional capacity for a sustainable bioeconomy!

More information and registration: bio2reg.eu/bio2reg-connect

This inaugural session of the BIO2REG Webinar Series kicks off with key insights from the new BIO2REG Best Practice Guide, highlighting how leading European regions are successfully advancing the bio-based transition.

The interactive webinar showcases success stories on different aspects of the bioeconomy transition: governance, value chains, living labs and funding, but also social sustainability and skills development.

Meet the experts behind spotlight initiatives of the Germany Rhenish mining region:

• BioökonomieREVIER at Forschungszentrum Jülich – setting up a regional bioeconomy hub and engaging stakeholders
• FaserInnovationsZentrum Zerkall (FIZZ) e.V. – an industry-driven initiative developing sustainable, plant-based fibers

After the presentation, participants will have the opportunity to share their perspectives, exchange experiences, and ask questions directly to the speakers.

Join us to connect with peers, gather practical ideas, and learn how your region can apply proven strategies to strengthen its bioeconomy development.

More information: https://bio2reg.eu/2025/09/18/webinar-regional-bioeconomy-in-practice/

The CheMatSustain (CMS) Database is a central platform for collecting, organizing, and exploiting research data generated within the project. Experimental results from the Work Packages (WPs) are curated, stored, and made accessible as structured, usable datasets.

Purpose of the Database

The CMS Database enables the systematic storage and visualization of experimental outcomes. It supports further data exploitation, such as developing in silico (QSAR) models to predict material safety and to assist in risk assessment during the design phase. The curated data also contribute to Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), the Footprint Scorecard (FS), and public dissemination through the CMS Facility — a platform tailored for policymakers, industry, and citizens. Discover the database on here: here.

System Architecture

The CMS is built on a PostgreSQL relational database and follows a Docker-based deployment to ensure portability and reproducibility. Role-based access control is implemented, with an administrative back office for user and test management.

The backend, developed with FastAPI (Python), handles data processing and API endpoints. It includes dedicated parsers for various experimental data types, ensuring consistent extraction and transformation workflows.

The frontend is built with Next.js and TypeScript, following a component-based architecture. Data visualization uses Recharts, and user authentication is managed through a role-based AuthContext. The interface, styled with Tailwind CSS, provides dedicated data viewers for each experiment, including specialized visualizations and downloadable reports.

Data Management and FAIR Compliance

The CMS Database is designed in accordance with the FAIR principles — ensuring data are Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable. All developed code is open-source and available on GitHub. The database is hosted on an IONOS VPS server located in Germany.

Discover the BIOBASEDCERT Monitoring Tool (BMT)

The STAR4BBS project is proud to present the BIOBASEDCERT Monitoring Tool (BMT) — a freely accessible, web-based self-assessment framework designed to evaluate the robustness of sustainability certification schemes and labels (CSLs) in the bio-based sector.

The BMT enables scheme owners, policymakers, businesses, and other stakeholders to benchmark certification schemes against a set of indicators covering three key dimensions:

• System level – governance, transparency, and assurance structures,
• Content level – sustainability criteria, environmental and social scope,
• Outcome level – monitoring, impacts, and credibility of results.

By completing a structured survey, users receive visual feedback in the form of spider diagrams and tables, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. This makes the tool a practical instrument for both self-assessment and policy benchmarking, contributing to greater transparency, comparability, and harmonisation across schemes.

To better understand how the tool works and how it can add value to your activities, we invite you to watch our introductory video:

Watch the video here

Access the tool directly at: https://star4bbs.eu/web-tool/

With the BMT, STAR4BBS aims to provide a concrete step towards more credible, transparent, and effective sustainability certification in the bio-based economy.

The Sustainable Futures Conference is set to take place on June 26, 2025, from 9:00 to 17:00 at the Comet Louise hotel in Brussels, Belgium. For this event, our Consortium joins forces with 3 Horizon Europe projects—BlueRev, Blue BioClusters, and SKILLBILL—that are at the forefront of driving Europe’s transition toward a sustainable and resilient bioeconomy and renewable energy landscape.

Read the draft agenda!

A Collaborative Effort for Sustainable Innovation!

The Sustainable Futures Conference serves as a convergence point for initiatives focusing on various aspects of sustainability, including advancing green energy, promoting circular blue and green bioeconomy practices, and engaging stakeholder communities to implement change at the grassroots level. By empowering local communities, startups, innovators, students, and citizens, these projects aim to pave the way for a more resilient future.(Blue Bioclusters)

Key Themes and Learning Opportunities:

Attendees will have the opportunity to delve into successful strategies for revitalizing local communities through blue or green visions, implementing bio-based solutions, accelerating skill development for renewable energy, and effectively engaging stakeholders. The Conference will feature discussions on social acceptance, governance, education, and upskilling for renewable energy workforce development. Participants will also engage with key project outcomes, including business development tools, stakeholder engagement methodologies, and strategies for supporting sustainable regional bioeconomy ecosystems.

Aligning with European Policy Ambitions:

By connecting policymakers, innovators, and practitioners, the Sustainable Futures Conference aims to highlight how local actions align with European policy ambitions and priorities, such as the European Green Deal and the Farm-to-Fork Strategy. This alignment ensures that the initiatives discussed and promoted during the conference contribute to Europe’s sustainable prosperity and competitiveness.

Event Details and Registration

• Date: June 26, 2025
• Time: 9:00 – 17:00
• Location: Comet Louise, Place Stéphanie 20, 1050 Brussels, Belgium

Interested participants are encouraged to register early, as space is limited and registrations are subject to review by the conference organizing team. For more information and to register, please visit the official Sustainable Futures Conference page.

REGISTER HERE!

Join us in Brussels to be part of the conversation and action driving Europe’s green and blue transformation!