EU projects to support the bioeconomy

In October 2022, the European Commission published a factsheet about R&I as a key driver in accelerating the transition towards a sustainable and circular bioeconomy. The factsheet "Research and Innovation in the Bioeconomy" provides a snapshot of R&I funding in bioeconomy and bioeconomy-related fields since 2008 and showcases successful projects with tangible impacts or projects with promising results.

The factsheet informs that the number of R&I projects has more thantripled between the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) (2007–2013) and Horizon 2020 (2014–2020) – from 73 to 254. The total amount of EU funding of bioeconomy projects for both FP7 and Horizon 2020 programmes is EUR 1 949 million. An important contributor is "BBI" corresponding to the Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking, which was a EUR 3.7 billion public–private partnership between the European Union and the Bio-based Industries Consortium for the 2014–2020 period

Important documents include the bioeconomy strategies covering different timespans (2008–2012; 2013–2018; (2018–2022). The number of projects for each thematic area increased in the second period, after the release of the first bioeconomy strategy.

In the current R&I programme, Horizon Europe (2021–2027), most of the funding for bioeconomy is being mobilised under Cluster 6, ‘Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment’ (EUR 9 billion), and the public–private partnership Circular Bio-Based Europe Joint Undertaking, with a total budget of EUR 2 billion (EUR 1 billion being provided by the EU). The Commission also supports the Joint Research Centre’s Knowledge Centre for Bioeconomy, which provides datasets and issues reports and other types of resources.

A list of projects is also highlighted in the factsheet as successful and promising:

BIOECONOMY FOR A GREEN AND RESILIENT EU INDUSTRY
https://catco2nvers.eu/; 2021–2025, RIAs, EUR 7 million each; Innovative solutions to convert CO2 emissions from bio-based industries into added-value bio-based chemicals.

https://frontsh1p.eu/; 2021–2025, IA, EUR 16 million. Green transition of the Polish Lodzkie region towards decarbonisation and territorial regeneration.

ACCESS TO FINANCE AND BIOECONOMY BREAKTHROUGH INNOVATIONS
https://www.ecbf.vc; Venture fund exclusively focused on the circular bioeconomy.; Target size: EUR 250 million, to which the Commission has committed EUR 100 million.

BIOECONOMY INNOVATION ECOSYSTEMS FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT
https://power4bio.eu and https://be-rural.eu; 2018–2021 and 2019–2022, CSAs, EUR 3 million each. Exploring the potential of regional and local bio-based economies and supporting the development of bioeconomy strategies, roadmaps and business models.
Examples of deliverables: Virtual bio-based pop-up store; bioeconomy strategy accelerator toolkit

https://www.go-grass.eu; 2019–2023, IA, EUR 10 million. Development of small-scale solutions to unlock the overlooked potential of grassland across Europe.

BIOECONOMISATION OF REGIONS
https://bioeast.eu/bioeastsup/; 2019–2022, CSA, EUR 3 million. Development of policies and strategies to accelerate the development of more sustainable, circular bioeconomies in the BIOEAST region.

https://herewear.eu/; 2020–2024, IA, EUR 6 million. Creation of a European ecosystem for locally produced circular textiles and clothing made from bio-based waste.

YOUTH ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION
https://www.transition2bio.eu/; 2021–2022, CSA, EUR 1 million. Supporting the transition towards the bioeconomy through communication, education and public engagement. Building on the BIOVOICES project results: 2018–2022, bioart gallery; book for kids.

BIOECONOMY INNOVATION ECOSYSTEMS FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT
https://www.microbiomesupport.eu/; project-partners/; 2018–2022, CSA, EUR 3.5 million. Coordinating common bioeconomy research programmes and setting a basis for common microbiome R&I agendas. Partners: EU, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, India, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States.

https://www.bio4africa.eu/ 2021–2025, RIA, EUR 9 million. Diversifying revenue in rural Africa and empowering smallholder farmers through local, circular, sustainable and replicable bio-based solutions and business models. Partners: EU, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Uganda, United
Kingdom.

PATHWAYS TOWARDS A CLIMATE-NEUTRAL AND BIODIVERSITY-RICH WORLD
https://www.super-g.eu/; 2018–2024, RIA, EUR 10 million. Co-development of sustainable permanent grassland systems and policies with farmers and policymakers to optimise productivity and deliver ecosystem services.

https://sincereforests.eu/about-sincere; 2018–2022, IA, EUR 4 million. Exploring new means to enhance forest ecosystem services in ways that benefit forest owners and serve broad societal needs.

THE BIOECONOMY AS A KEY TO EUROPE’S FOOD AND ENERGY SECURITY
https://smartproteinproject.eu/; 2020–2024, IA, EUR 8 million. Industrial validation of novel fungi- and plant-based food products (ex: lentil-based yoghurt).

www.micro4biogas.eu; 2021–2025, RIA, EUR 5.7 million. Optimisation of biogas production in Europe via the development of highly efficient microbial consortia.

Source page of the news: https://op.europa.eu/o/opportal-service/download-handler?identifier=580afaee-4071-11ed-92ed-01aa75ed71a1&format=pdf&language=en&productionSystem=cellar&part=

Country
OTHER
Geographical focus
  • Europe
Scientifc field / Thematic focus
  • Cross-thematic/Interdisciplinary

Entry created by Elke Dall on October 21, 2022
Modified on October 21, 2022