Periodic Reporting for period 2 - BIOLOC (Biobased and social innovation to revitalise European local communities)
Reporting period: 2024-04-01 to 2025-09-30
BIOLOC recognises the unique value of local knowledge in advancing the circular bioeconomy. Although new technologies are often deployed following traditional industrial patterns, this may limit the potential of a paradigm rooted in territorial anchoring. Local actors are not only suppliers or consumers of biomass; they are holders of contextual knowledge essential for building sustainable, resilient, and innovative CBE ecosystems. BIOLOC stands out for exploring the intersection between techno-economic models and societal enabling factors. Its objective is to strengthen the role of social innovation and inclusion in revitalising local economies across 12 European regions. Through multisectoral research and extensive quadruple-helix co-creation, the project examined societal drivers supporting the transition from fossil-based to circular biobased systems and developed measures to foster inclusion and participatory innovation in the target regions. To address territorial diversity, BIOLOC applied clustering analysis, capturing environmental, economic, and social differences. Building on this assessment, BIOLOC conceptualised an approach to evaluate innovation maturity beyond technological performance, incorporating aspects such as market readiness, governance conditions, and cultural perceptions. This led to the development of an innovative Societal Readiness Level (SRL) concept, intended to complement conventional assessments by integrating institutional preparedness and societal acceptance. BIOLOC’s collaborative dimension is demonstrated by the establishment of 12 Regional Hubs, which structure social dialogue around inclusive CBE. The Hubs provide region-specific intelligence on biomass potential, development strategies, policy frameworks, and socio-economic conditions. They identify drivers and barriers for involving vulnerable groups and analyse the engagement dynamics of marginalised communities, including capacity-enhancement needs. As focal points of co-creation, they tailor BIOLOC’s solutions to local conditions and inform regional innovation processes. BIOLOC’s outcomes highlight its catalytic role in promoting educational outreach, inclusive policy formulation, and community-driven initiatives, contributing to a more equitable and sustainable CBE landscape. Its commitment to innovation and collaboration is reshaping the involvement of marginalised groups and strengthening the social dimension of regional circular transitions.
BIOLOC implemented a coherent set of analytical and participatory activities, translating strategic CBE targets into locally anchored actions across 12 regions. Advancing from baseline assessments to operational deployment, it consolidated its position as a leading European initiative for inclusive CBE governance. The coordinated WP structure established a harmonised framework linking participatory mechanisms, multi-actor governance, and capacity building, demonstrating the adaptation of innovation to territorial realities. WP2 delivered regional diagnostics and an integrated indicator framework covering socio-economic, institutional, and environmental conditions, informing the design of WPs 3–5 in line with EU cohesion and bioeconomy priorities. WP3 consolidated over 50 technical, organisational, and social innovations illustrating the socioeconomic value of local bioeconomy solutions. It also delivered the SRL framework—developed beyond the initial plan—as an instrument for assessing social readiness and identifying deployment bottlenecks. These resources support the replication of inclusive and locally adapted models. WP4 produced 12 network-oriented business models combining sustainability, economic viability, and social inclusion, offering realistic pathways for competitive and resilient value chains. WP5 established Regional Hubs as governance and engagement platforms, mobilising over 10,000 stakeholders and organising more than 160 activities, from capacity building to co-creation and community engagement. These hubs translated analytical insights into participatory innovation and enabled multi-level governance cooperation. WP6 strengthened dissemination and exploitation through targeted materials and regional events, culminating in the Final Conference at IFIB. Eleven Memoranda of Understanding and participation in major EU fora ensured the project’s long-term legacy. Collectively, these achievements created a practice-oriented framework reinforcing territorial capacity, policy coherence, and social inclusion, establishing BIOLOC as a reference for community-driven CBE governance.
By integrating social innovation, territorial diagnostics, and CBE development, BIOLOC produced methodologies and tools rarely found in conventional bioeconomy approaches. It reinterpreted socio-economic and environmental knowledge to support local transformation and developed approaches enhancing the participation of vulnerable groups in bio-based value chains. The SRL framework constitutes a key innovation, expanding maturity assessments by integrating institutional readiness, public support, and societal acceptance, thereby revealing non-technical deployment barriers. The comparative territorial diagnostics combined social-science evidence with techno-economic analyses, enabling realistic modelling of inclusive bioeconomy scenarios. The 12 business models embed environmental, social, and economic dimensions and show how circularity can be operationalised through multi-actor governance. The Regional Hubs demonstrated how local networks can evolve into competence centres for inclusive transitions. These combined innovations significantly contribute to European research and policy, illustrating how techno-economic strategies can integrate societal needs to support just and resilient regional transformation. Future regional actions—including supporting national strategies, formalising governance mechanisms, and expanding Hub activities—demonstrate strong potential for continuity beyond the project.