Mainstreaming inclusive small-scale bio-based solutions in European rural areas

Europe's future economic growth and job creations will increasingly stem from innovation in products, services and business models. This is why there is currently considerable investment in research and innovation. However, there are barriers to the adoption and implementation of research results and cooperation between research, advisory services, farmers, foresters and other actors in the supply chain is not adequately supported. Regional platforms for innovation support services are needed to help European regions develop their bio-based economies and to increase awareness and knowledge about emerging opportunities as well as the environmental and socio-economic impacts relating to the valorisation of locally or regionally available biomass.

Proposals will:

• Establish regional platforms that provide innovation support services to multi-actor partnerships (e.g. farmers, foresters, clusters, business support organisations, social partners, civil society organisations including non-governmental organisations, etc.) and increase regional stakeholders’ awareness and understanding of the bioeconomy, its potential and impacts, and help them build the capacity to identify innovative bio-based business models.
• Based on previous research results (e.g. BE-RURAL[[https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/818478]], Power4Bio[[https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/818351]], BioeastUp[[https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/862699]], etc.), activities should help match information on regionally available biomass, waste and residue streams with market information and technologies to enable full utilisation and sustainable production of bio-based products.
• Help transfer training and knowledge on better nutrient recycling in the circular bioeconomy, by identifying links between different agricultural/forestry and industrial value chains, raising awareness and sharing best practice on the use of residues as soil improvers and fertiliser in the bio-based economy.
• Consider contributing data and results to the European Commission’s Knowledge Centre for Bioeconomy hosted by the JRC.

Clustering and cooperation with other selected projects under this topic and other relevant topics (e.g. HORIZON-CL6-2021-COMMUNITIES-01-02: Expertise and training centre on rural innovation) is strongly encouraged.

Social innovation[[As defined by the European Commission: innovations that are social in both their ends and their means. Specifically, […] social innovations [are] new ideas (products, services and models) that simultaneously meet social needs (more effectively than alternatives) and create new social relationships or collaborations. They are innovations that are not only good for society but also enhance society’s capacity to act.” according to the European Commission Bureau of European Policy Advisors (BEPA, 2011, p. 9; see also Regulation (EU) No 1296/2013on a European UnionProgrammefor Employment and Social Innovation (""EaSI"")).]] is recommended when the solution is at the socio-technical interface and requires social change, new social practices, social ownership or market uptake.