In the light of global challenges (i.e. climate change, increasing depletion of fossil fuel sources), the EU is in need for responsible transition process in bioeconomy towards circularity and sustainability. The future development of different bio-based sectors has a crucial impact and decisive role in achieving a sustainable bioeconomy ecosystem. Currently, however, bioeconomy innovations are hampered by different challenges, such as the fragmentation of, and the presence of sectoral silos, lack of policy coordination and coherence between different levels of governance, and collaboration along new value chains or across sectors, leading to inefficient technology and knowledge transfer, and are obstacles in terms of financial constraints. To master these challenges is a tremendous task for policy makers and other stakeholders, especially since there are major differences be-tween countries, regions and local areas in Europe regarding capabilities, resource endowment and industrial focus. Hence, better coherence and coordination of policy, mutual learning and cooperation between stakeholders from different sectors, countries and stages of bio-based value chains is needed.
The overarching objective of ShapingBio is to strengthen and deploy innovation in bio-based sectors, including food systems, across Europe. Specifically, the CSA aimed to deliver evidence-based information, guidelines, and recommendations that foster better policy alignment as well as supporting and integrating stakeholders in the bio-based sectors.