On 22 June 2022, the AER working group on the bioeconomy and skills held its first meeting to define priorities and develop activities for the coming months
Getting to know each other
The working group aims to be a space for targetted experience sharing, finding resources and strategic intelligence, as well as developing initiatives and projects. For this to be possible it is essential to get to know each other and hear what makes the topic of the bioeconomy a current one in different regions across Europe.
The meeting therefore started with a presentation of each members and a pitch on the situation in each region.
Defining priority areas for exchanges
Members of the group discussed what they hoped to find in this group, and what they could share.
Three main areas stood out:
- bio-based construction materials and techniques
- new food systems
- waste management: including clothes, digital waste (topic also relevant for food systems & construction)
In the context of the bioeconomy, where the industry, the value chain, the collaborations between stakeholders are new, there are major challenges in terms of skills: both to develop the right skills and to attract & retain skills in places where the industry is located
Planning activities
The working group was created based on a proposal by Innlandet (NO). The approach is to have light-weight working group, which will develop a few activities for the coming year, which can take place on the occasion of AER events.
The group agreed on the following activities:
- Workshop of the working group on the occasion of the AER Summer Academy on September 1st, in Donegal. More information on the Summer Academy, the general programme of events and registration form is available here
- Experience exchange event on the side of the AER General Assembly (onsite), which would also coincide with the European Week of Regions & Cities
- Online meeting around project development (tbc whether brokerage event, or information on funding etc)
- Mapping of the specificities of each region and their good practices as a basis for matchmaking, study visits, potential projects
About the AER working group on the bioeconomy & skills
The working group on the bioeconomy and skills was set up in Spring 2022, based on a proposal by Innlandet (NO), supported by Lower Austria (AU), Gelderland (NL), Värmland (SE). Indeed, to set up a working group a region has to find at least three supporting regions, which will help shape the activities, participate and contribute to the work.
The working group on the bioeconomy and skills is currently chaired by Aud Hove, Deputy Mayor of Innlandet (NO) and gathers representatives from Värmland (SE), Gelderland (NL), Fribourg (CH), Donegal (IE), Udaras na Gaeltachta (IE), Adana (TR), Eastern Slovenia (SI).
It’s possible to join anytime
If you are interested in collaborating with this working group, please fill in this short questionnaire so we know you better and can contact you. Working groups are exclusively for AER members. If you have any question, you can contact AER Coordinator for Policy & Knowledge Exchange Johanna Pacevicius.
I want to set up a working group on another topic!
An AER working group provides a space for experience and knowledge exchange.
If you’re not yet sure exactly about the activities or the specific focus of the working group you would like to lead, but you know you want to be engaged and lead a working group, contact us!
We’ll schedule a meeting to specify needs. We’ll help you identify the topic and main objective of the working group you’d like to set up and make sure that
- this will indeed create value for you
- there is a match between expectation and resources
We’ll help you to develop a draft proposal on the focus of the Working Group and identify a few potential activities, which you will then be able to share with other AER members.
What kind of topics?
At the AER we like to say that everything is possible!
Topics need to be in line with the Mission and Objectives of the AER, as defined in the AER Statutes
They need to be in line with the basic fundamental principles of the Council of Europe.
Who will be in the working group?
You may already know with which regions you would like to specifically cooperate with, in that case let us know and when needed we can facilitate the connection.
Working groups are open to all AER members. In order to propose a new working group, a core group of 1 leading region and at least 3 supporting regions are needed for the creation of a working group.
If you don’t yet know which regions you’d like to work with, let’s discuss! Together with the AER Secretariat you’ll be able identify peers in other regions who could be interested to work with you.
What kind of activities?
As per the AER Statutes, working groups are responsible for
- Promoting networking and knowledge exchange between AER members on specific issues related to regional development; (8.3a)
- Identifying and disseminating good practices. (8.3.b)
In this context, and depending on what you would like to achieve, activities can include activities to raise awareness on a topic and share existing practices, experience sharing, workshops to identify how to address shared challenges and societal changes, information sessions on funding opportunities, project development workshops…
There are many ways in which the AER offer and synergies with other activities can match your expectations. Contact us!
