The working group on the bioeconomy, established in Spring 2022, facilitates knowledge sharing, experience, and best practices between regions in wider Europe. On June 12, 2024, Nataša Ritonija, representative from East Slovenia (SI) was nominated as the new chair of the group. She will be supported in her engagement by is Brina Lazar, as Seconded Officer for the Working Group.
The mandate of a Chair is of two years and is renewable. More information about Working Groups procedures.
Below is a recap of the activities carried out in the context of the Working Group between the AER General Assembly of June 2023 in Barcelona and the 2024 General Assembly in Batumi.
Organisation of a Workshop on “Changing Perspectives on Resources for a Sustainable Bioeconomy” – 12 June 2024
The Working Group on the Bioeconomy organised a workshop on the occasion of the AER General Assembly in Ajara (GE) focusing on regional practices that support a more circular and sustainable bioeconomy.
Participants discussed crops for bio-based construction materials and water management among other topics.
Aspects of particular interest are the ways in which multistakeholder collaborations are set up, participatory approaches, stakeholder engagement.
Study Visit to agro-farms in Machakhela National Park – 14 June 2024
The AER General Assembly in Ajara (GE), was also an opportunity to discover the exceptionnal Machakhela National Park. Participants learned about renewable energy, sources linked to the site’s activity, environmental tourism, and bio-farming. This visit provided opportunities to explore these topics and share insights on how to advance bioeconomic initiatives across regions.
Curation of a Series of Resources for Policymakers on the Bioeconomy – May 2024
Various types of knowledge may be useful at the different stages of policymaking, depending on needs and purpose. The AER Secretariat curated a series of resources for policymakers from:
- The Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
- The EC Knowledge Centre for Bioeconomy
- The OECD iLibrary
- European projects
- The Rural toolkit
- UNDP Publications & toolkits for system change
They encompass policy briefs, reports, interactive tools and peer review services to tackle policy challenges.
Study Visit to the Sugar Refinery Plant of AGRANA Group – 29 November 2023
One of the objectives of the Working Group on the Bioeconomy, is to learn more about regional policies and practices on the bioeconomy, learn about challenges and enablers and exchange in order to identify elements of transferability. On the occasion of the AER Bureau in Lower Austria, a founding member of the working group, the region organised a study visit to the Agrana Plant, a major stakeholder of the Austrian Bioeconomy.
- Participants learned about multistakeholder partnerships and circular approaches.
- The study trip gave insights on the complex processes needed to maintain constant the supply of a critical ingredient like sugar
- The visit highlighted the efforts done by Agrana to boost its environmental and socio- economic sustainability.
Information on European Funding Opportunities – September 2023
Members of the Working Group were invited to attend the European Commission’s matchmaking organised by the European Commission.
Facilitation of Bilateral Meetings on Regional Innovation Valleys and Project Development – Summer 2023
Following-up on requests expressed at the General Assembly and together with the AER Membership and Projects Coordinators, several meetings were organised between AER members to explore the possibility of developing a joint Regional Innovation Valley EU project proposal.
Visibility for AER Member Regions
The Working Group also serves as a place to inform interested members of ongoing regional initiatives, projects and events on the bioeconomy. This can be via the sharing of regional examples on the AER website as well as via the AER Newsletter and Working Group’s mailings. Fribourg (CH) is using this opportunity to advertise its Bioeconomy Forum on 10 October 2024, the AER will also advertise the World Sustainable Energy Days organised by Upper Austria (AT) as each year.
This opportunity is being widely shared during bilateral meetings with regions with the Members and Projects Coordinators. Members of the Working group are encouraged to make broader use of this opportunity in the coming months.
To know more about the upcoming Bioeconomy Forum in Fribourg, see the event page.
The AER Working Group on the Bioeconomy
The group addresses the economic, social, and environmental benefits of the bioeconomy, which contributes to almost 9% of the EU-27 labor force and 4.7% of the EU-27 GDP.
To fully harness the bioeconomy’s potential, dedicated strategies, investments, and innovation at all levels in the EU are required, as emphasized in the updated European Bioeconomy Strategy of 2018. This necessitates significant investment in knowledge, competency, and collaboration with vocational education and industry, particularly in rural areas.
Peer learning at the European level is crucial for developing effective policies and practices, enabling regions to recognize commonalities, discuss shared challenges, and examine solutions from different regions. In the face of societal challenges such as climate change, demographic shifts, digital transformation, and urban-rural divides, regions play a key role in facilitating multistakeholder collaboration and ecosystem development.
The working group focuses on topics like bio-based construction materials, new food systems, and waste management, including clothes and digital waste. It currently includes 16 regions: Innlandet (NO), Värmland (SE), Gelderland (NL), Flevoland (NL), Fribourg (CH), Donegal (IE), Udaras na Gaeltachta (IE), Adana (TR), Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality (TR), Grand Est (FR), Dolj (RO), Tirana (AL), Valencia (ES), East Slovenia (SI), West Slovenia (SI), and Umbria (IT).
It’s Possible to Join Anytime!
It is possible to join AER working Groups at any time. To join the AER Working Group on the Bioeconomy, exchange with peers, and contribute to shaping future activities, please fill in this short registration form.
All articles about this working group are available here
AER members can also propose new working groups on topics of interest, fostering innovation and impactful change.
