ROBIN has successfully established and mobilized five Multi-Actor Regional Constellations (MARCs) across its five participating regions. A baseline analysis of the bioeconomy policy mix, as well as the barriers and opportunities for the uptake of regional bioeconomy governance models, was conducted in each region and enriched through in-depth semi-structured interviews. To co-create and refine new and improved regional governance models and practices, five stakeholder workshops were organized with a total of 69 participants. These workshops resulted in the formulation of a value proposition and a new or improved regional governance model for each region. In parallel, ROBIN developed its three core tools, the Circular Bioeconomy Governance Model Canvas (CBGMC), the Bioeconomy Policy Monitoring Tool (PMT) and the Environmental Protection Planning (EPP). These tools were integrated into the ROBIN Toolbox, a user-friendly online platform providing guidance, knowledge, and practical tools for regional authorities developing circular bioeconomy governance models and strategies.
Building on the development of the ROBIN Toolbox, the project successfully completed two full rounds of testing and validation—Alpha and Beta testing—across all partner regions and beyond. Throughout these phases, regional nodes implemented a wide range of support and validation actions, engaging hundreds of stakeholders representing local governments, businesses, academia, and civil society. Each partner region carried out at least ten tailored support actions addressing local priorities such as policy alignment, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning, while also conducting hands-on testing of Toolbox components and collecting structured feedback through standardized questionnaires. The evaluation and validation processes collected and analysed over 120 responses from partners and external stakeholders, resulting in the refinement and finalisation of all ROBIN tools and the delivery of the validated, user-ready ROBIN Toolbox. PED further applied the Monitoring, Assessment and Evaluation (MAE) framework to assess changes in stakeholder capacities, governance practices, and perceptions, capturing measurable progress and producing evidence-based recommendations for future circular bioeconomy governance. The project also fostered extensive exchange of best practices and lessons learned through multi-level workshops, peer-learning events, and the signing of a Memorandum of Collaboration among the ROBIN regions, ensuring long-term cooperation. These insights were synthesised into the ROBIN Replication Guide, Toolkit and Policy Recommendations, aligned with complementary EU initiatives and co-developed with other Horizon Europe projects.
