Periodic Reporting for period 1 - CEE2ACT (Empowering the Central and Eastern European Countries to Develop Circular Bioeconomy Strategies and Action Plans)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2022-09-01 al 2024-02-29
CEE2ACT empowers countries in Central Eastern Europe and beyond (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia) - CEE2ACT target countries - to develop circular bioeconomy strategies and action plans through knowledge transfer and innovative governance models enabling sustainability and resilience to achieve better informed decision-making processes, societal engagement and innovation, building on the practice of "contributing" countries serving as role models in this context (Austria, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Finland, Sweden).Knowledge transfer and inspiration in creative formats that address the motivations, needs and knowledge gaps of each CEE2ACT target country will be realized through the CEE2ACT National Bioeconomy Hubs. A participatory, non-political, bottom-up approach is being applied throughout the project activities, tackling specific knowledge gaps and shortcomings of the top-down conventional approach, building closer interconnections between actors across public institutions, private sector, industry, energy, SMEs, feedstock providers (e.g. waste, side streams, farmers, foresters, fishermen), academia and research, NGOs, CSOs in the target countries. To achieve this, a baseline assessment was carried out (socio-economic and environmental aspects), stakeholder engagement activities have been implemented ensuring the proper involvement and active participation of all relevant stakeholders. Digital solutions for sustainable governance were created, exchange of know-how and best practices on technology transfer, building the capacities of the stakeholders to develop bioeconomy strategies. The findings will be synthesized, in an analytical framework, which will result in National-level Roadmaps for the Bioeconomy Strategies in Targeted CEE2ACT countries, boosting societal engagement in the countries’ transition towards circular bioeconomy.
Why CEE2ACT? Needs and challenges
• Potential to help CEE countries to transition to a more sustainable economic system
• CEE countries need to dedicate efforts to the development of national strategies or action plans, even though entities are actively engaged in important regional bioeconomy initiatives and projects
• Large potential to expand bioeconomy governance in the region through cooperation across borders
• Better management of land and biomass is required to achieve a climate neutral Europe
• Interest in fostering public engagement and co-creation initiatives to develop targeted bioeconomy strategies
Why CEE2ACT? Needs and challenges
• Potential to help CEE countries to transition to a more sustainable economic system
• CEE countries need to dedicate efforts to the development of national strategies or action plans, even though entities are actively engaged in important regional bioeconomy initiatives and projects
• Large potential to expand bioeconomy governance in the region through cooperation across borders
• Better management of land and biomass is required to achieve a climate neutral Europe
• Interest in fostering public engagement and co-creation initiatives to develop targeted bioeconomy strategies
CEE2ACT is currently in its mid-term stage, and while a full assessment of its impacts is pending, various achievements from the first reporting period can be highlighted. CEE2ACT has contributed to increasing awareness among decision-makers and public administrators at various ministries about the different sectors of the bioeconomy, the role of the bioeconomy in EU policies, and its associated benefits. CEE2ACT is actively involved in accumulating and sharing knowledge among stakeholders regarding best practices for transitioning to a circular bioeconomy in various sectors. Contributing partners (WR, RISE, CIRCE, LUKE, CSCP), coming from countries where there is already a bioeconomy strategy in place, are sharing their experiences, while actors from SMEs and industries are voicing their expectations and providing practical insights on overcoming barriers to bioeconomy adoption in CEE2ACT countries.
The National Bioeconomy Hubs (NBHs) established in each CEE2ACT target country are structures driving the project's activities and the initial commitments of members to engage in bioeconomy implementation. At this stage of the project (M18), the project team is working on building the capacities and facilitating knowledge transfer to empower the members of the National Bioeconomy Hubs and foster commitment to co-create roadmaps for the bioeconomy transition through the CEE2ACT National workshop series. The National Bioeconomy Hubs serve as platforms and the engine of the project, bringing together relevant stakeholders through workshops that promote communication, exchange of ideas, and the collective development of bioeconomy roadmaps.
Main project outputs:
Baseline analysis - https://www.cee2act.eu/?jet_download=1509
National bioeconomy hubs - https://www.cee2act.eu/hubs/
E-solutions for green transition - https://www.cee2act.eu/tools/
Knowledge Transfer Strategy - https://www.cee2act.eu/knowledge-transfer-series/ CEE2ACT e-library YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtVp69Zrq6ORS5kWGDrwU50QnG_L5Aynx
National-level roadmaps for the bioeconomy strategy in CEE2ACT target countries (August 2025)
CEE2ACT MoUs signed by Hub members (August 2025)
The National Bioeconomy Hubs (NBHs) established in each CEE2ACT target country are structures driving the project's activities and the initial commitments of members to engage in bioeconomy implementation. At this stage of the project (M18), the project team is working on building the capacities and facilitating knowledge transfer to empower the members of the National Bioeconomy Hubs and foster commitment to co-create roadmaps for the bioeconomy transition through the CEE2ACT National workshop series. The National Bioeconomy Hubs serve as platforms and the engine of the project, bringing together relevant stakeholders through workshops that promote communication, exchange of ideas, and the collective development of bioeconomy roadmaps.
Main project outputs:
Baseline analysis - https://www.cee2act.eu/?jet_download=1509
National bioeconomy hubs - https://www.cee2act.eu/hubs/
E-solutions for green transition - https://www.cee2act.eu/tools/
Knowledge Transfer Strategy - https://www.cee2act.eu/knowledge-transfer-series/ CEE2ACT e-library YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtVp69Zrq6ORS5kWGDrwU50QnG_L5Aynx
National-level roadmaps for the bioeconomy strategy in CEE2ACT target countries (August 2025)
CEE2ACT MoUs signed by Hub members (August 2025)
Within the National Bioeconomy Hubs, stakeholders are empowered to share their concerns, visions, and reflections on national bioeconomy strategies, while also engaging in discussions to agree on a path forward. In the second half of the project, CEE2ACT contributes to informed decision-making through digital engagement formats (webinar organization) and the use of e-solutions developed in WP4.
A comprehensive Knowledge Transfer (KT) strategy was meticulously constructed, drawing upon perspective insights followed by interviews and project-wide discussions. Through the process, key elements for KT to each CEE2ACT target country were identified, accounting for diverse factors such as governance structures, stakeholders/sector-specific related needs, technological capacities, technical knowledge and capacity and socio-economic challenges. Existing strategies and know-how from experienced countries were matched with the identified needs and barriers of the target countries. The KT strategy established the groundwork for future tasks within the project, outlining planned knowledge transfer activities for the coming years, including webinars, workshops, site visits and online training sessions.
A comprehensive Knowledge Transfer (KT) strategy was meticulously constructed, drawing upon perspective insights followed by interviews and project-wide discussions. Through the process, key elements for KT to each CEE2ACT target country were identified, accounting for diverse factors such as governance structures, stakeholders/sector-specific related needs, technological capacities, technical knowledge and capacity and socio-economic challenges. Existing strategies and know-how from experienced countries were matched with the identified needs and barriers of the target countries. The KT strategy established the groundwork for future tasks within the project, outlining planned knowledge transfer activities for the coming years, including webinars, workshops, site visits and online training sessions.