The transition of a fossil-based to a bio-based industry addresses some of the main challenges identified in the Danube region. The dependency on fossil resources will be reduced and climate change targets be supported by reducing the GHG emissions. Furthermore the eco-innovations will support the regional development by diversifying the local economy and creating new employment opportunities. The development of new bio-based value chains from primary production to consumer markets needs to be done by connecting enterprises from different regions and industries. But due to a missing holistic transnational approach Danube actors in bio-based industry still operate disconnected and cannot properly benefit from the potential.
Therefore the aim of this project is to develop new methods and tools to connect enterprises transnationally.

Clusters as the representatives of many enterprises are chosen to organise the industry cooperations and creation of new value chains, because they are sustainable partners and guarantee the upgradeability in the dimension industry, sciences and politics.
One of the planned outputs of this project will be the development of a Joint Bio-based Industry Cluster Policy Strategy (JBCS). Furthermore a bundle of new methods and tools to support clusters for transnational working will be developed. They will be tested in three pilot actions where it is planned to create new bio-based value chains in the Danube region.
The main target groups are on one hand the policy - four Ministries are involved-, on the other hand clusters and their SMEs - nine cluster organisations involved. The policy level will benefit from the JBCS which can be used as a political framework.
The clusters and SMEs will benefit from the new innovative tools and methods developed for transnational cross-clustering. Successfully established new bio-based value chains in the pilot actions can motivate other clusters and SMEs to test this newly developed approach in the future.