The circular economy in Central Europe is characterized by underdeveloped bio-based value chains, low consumer awareness and uneven political progress along the East-West border. BIOECO-UP deals with the further development of the circular bioeconomy in Central Europe. In addition to the 12 cooperations mentioned above, 5 ministries are involved as associated partners: Ministry of Agricluture and Rural Development (PL); Ministry of Rural Affairs of the Republic of Estonia (EE); Slovenian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food (SI); Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic (SK); Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic (CZ). The BIOEAST Initiative (https://bioeast.eu/), in which 11 Eastern European Ministries of Agriculture and supporting institutes are represented, is also involved in BIOECO-UP. BIOECO-UP is implemented in the "Interreg Central Europe Programme 2021-2027" and addresses the program priority "P2 - Cooperating for a greener central Europe", specifically the priority objective "SO2.3 - Taking circular economy forward in central Europe".
Objective
BIOECO-UP aims to advance the circular bioeconomy in Central Europe by designing bioeconomic value chains and supporting changes in consumer behavior and policy frameworks.
Status of the work
Work package WP 1 ("Circular bioeconomy cross-sector value chains") will test, develop and disseminate solutions for the design of bio-based value chains based on 7 transnational pilot studies. WP 2 ("Empowering citizens to become active in circular bioeconomy") aims to support 600 citizens in using, producing and evaluating bio-based products themselves. WP 3 ("Mainstreaming of circular bioeconomy policies") aims to identify bioeconomy policy measures in Central Europe, develop strategy and action plans, formulate recommendations, disseminate project results and promote exchange among stakeholders. More detailed information on activities, outputs, deliverables and project timeline can be found in the project application.
Work carried out in 2023
BAB's work in 2023 concerned activities A1.1 and A3.1. For A1.1 "Mapping bioeconomy potential", data on the bioeconomy in Austria was researched, a (non-published) report on the bioeconomy in Austria was prepared and a contribution to the synthesis report (Deliverable D1.1.1: "Bioeconomy potential analysis") was provided. The BAB is responsible for the coordination of A3.1 "Analyzing circular bioeconomy measures". In 2023, the BAB therefore set up a core team with representatives from all participating project partner organizations to design A3.1, organized working meetings and drafted materials for further processing by the core team (including an initial list of bioeconomy policy measures).
Planned work for 2024
The BAB plans to focus on the further coordination, design, implementation and completion of A3.1 in 2024. The ongoing exchange with the project partner organizations should ensure that the results from A3.1 provide input for other project activities and external stakeholders (e.g. decision-makers). A list of bioeconomy policy measures, a bioeconomy policy workshop for transnational exchange of experience and a deliverable D3.1.1 "Policy analysis of circular bioeconomy policy measures" are planned as outputs from A3.1. Participation in other project activities is also planned.
Timetable
Project start: 06/2023
Project end: 03/2026
Project cooperation
Landwirtschaftsministerium - Abteilung für Agrarforschung und Agrarumweltmanagement (HU); Bay Zoltán Nonprofit LTD for Applied Research - Abteilung für Biomasseproduktion und -verwertung (HU); Alma Mater Studiorum Universität Bologna - Abteilung für industrielle Chemie Toso montanari (IT); Tschechische Universität für Lebenswissenschaften Prag - Fakultät für Forst- und Holzwissenschaften (CZ); Landwirtschaftliche Forschung, LtD Troubsko (CZ); Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation Research State Institute - Department of Bioeconomy and Systems Analysis (PL); Institute for Circular Economy (HR); Institute for Sustainable Development (SI); University of Ljubljana - Biotechnical Faculty (SI); Bioeconomy Cluster (SK); Croatian Chamber of Agriculture - Department of Agricultural Policy, Innovation and International Cooperation (HR)
