Periodic Reporting for period 1 - RuralBioUp (Empowering EU Rural Regions to scale-Up and adopt small-scale Bio-based solutions: the transition towards a sustainable, regenerative, inclusive and just circular bioeconomy)
Période du rapport: 2022-10-01 au 2024-03-31
RuralBioUp main objective is to support innovators to scale-up inclusive and small-scale biobased solutions in rural areas, through the creation of a favourable ecosystem to be maintained within the empowered regions and transferred to other ones, in order to contribute to regional, urban and consumer-based transitions towards a sustainable, regenerative, inclusive and just circular economy and bioeconomy across all regions of Europe.
To ease the adoption and mainstream of inclusive small-scale biobased solutions in rural areas, RuralBioUp creates a favourable and long-lasting ecosystem in 9 regions (intended as “demonstrators” to showcase the approach and make it transferable to other EU regions
and rural areas) involving stakeholders in a multi-actor platform (Regional Hubs). Playing a central role in the project, Hubs implement different activities and actions to ease the adoption of bio-based solutions in a.l. 2 value chains, selected according to the regional data on available biomass, business models, technologies, best practices and nutrient recycling matched & showed by a digital tool (RuralSpot). Representing the most important resource to be enquired by Hubs, this tool uses data from previous projects results and other scientific results. Regional Hubs are empowered with coaching, mentoring and training activities during the whole implementation of the Action Plans, enabling them to realise networking events and study visits, assess the project’s impacts, define recommendations and practical knowledge, co-design a strategy to ensure the continuation of the Regional Hubs (and their activities) after the end of the project.
To ease the adoption and mainstream of inclusive small-scale biobased solutions in rural areas, RuralBioUp creates a favourable and long-lasting ecosystem in 9 regions (intended as “demonstrators” to showcase the approach and make it transferable to other EU regions
and rural areas) involving stakeholders in a multi-actor platform (Regional Hubs). Playing a central role in the project, Hubs implement different activities and actions to ease the adoption of bio-based solutions in a.l. 2 value chains, selected according to the regional data on available biomass, business models, technologies, best practices and nutrient recycling matched & showed by a digital tool (RuralSpot). Representing the most important resource to be enquired by Hubs, this tool uses data from previous projects results and other scientific results. Regional Hubs are empowered with coaching, mentoring and training activities during the whole implementation of the Action Plans, enabling them to realise networking events and study visits, assess the project’s impacts, define recommendations and practical knowledge, co-design a strategy to ensure the continuation of the Regional Hubs (and their activities) after the end of the project.
The following main results have been achieved in the first reporting period:
1) Work Package 1 'Project Management':
• organisation of the Kick-Off Meeting (10-11 October 2022, Rome, Italy),
• organisation of 12 online consortium meetings,
• organisation of a physical consortium meeting (20 November 2023, Iasi, Romania),
• quality assurance and submission of 11 deliverables,
• preparation of three WP1 deliverables (D1.1 D1.2 and D1.3)
• organisation of the internal technical and financial reporting (M9, June 2023) and analysis of the results in order to keep track of the project progress,
• setting-up of the Advisory Board and communication with the Advisory Board members (in cooperation with Task 6.5)
• ensuring adequate data management, including through continuous advice on personal data protection, and creating and populating the RuralBioUp Zenodo community.
2) Work Package 2 ‘Data collection and RuralBioUp one-stop shop’:
• Definition of the RuralSpot categories of information to be collected - completed at KOM (M1),
• Development of a template to facilitate the collection of existing data and knowledge made available by previous EU projects and research results (T2.1 M3)
• Definition of the selection criteria for sources to be used for the population of the RuralSpot,
• Harmonisation of sources and creation of the first batch of RuralSpot data (Biomass: 86, BM and Market Application: 14, Technologies: 13, Soil: 12, Financial Support: 14, Knowledge: 165),
• Harmonisation of the data above mentioned through a creation of Biomass Model Tool to support the development and implementation of the Action Plans of the respective Regional Hubs (T2.2)
• Identification of tailormade data to fit the needs and the selected value chains of each regional HUB with specific focus in bridging the categories to exploit new value chains (T2.2)
• First version of the RuralSpot platform launched (October 2023, T2.3)
• Workshop to validate the RuralSpot with external stakeholders (M13, T2.4)
• Lauch of the second (validated) version of the RuralSpot (March 2024, T2.3).
3) Work Package 3 ‘Building the regional hubs’:
• Two workshops focusing on co-creation and engagement of stakeholders (Task 3.1)
• Establishment of the handbook “How to build a RuralBioUp Regional Hub (Task 3.1)
• Establishment of 9 Regional Hubs and development of 9 Action Plans (Task 3.2)
• Identification of at least two value chains per Regional Hub (Task 3.2)
• First performed actions and activities in each Regional Hub (Task 3.3)
• Regular meetings for fostering exchange, communication and reflection among the Regional Facilitators (Task 3.3)
• Face2face reflection meeting (Iasi, Romania; November 2023) on the Action Plans and the impact assessment system (T3.4).
4) Work Package 4 ‘Empowering and supporting the regional hubs’:
• 14 financial opportunities and 165 training sources mapped (T4.1)
• 4 mandatory trainings and 13 trainings to-be-selected prepared or to be prepared by the consortium partners (T4.1)
• Initial Portfolio of Services prepared and delivered to the Regional Hubs (T4.1)
• Bilateral meetings with the Hubs to set up networking events (T4.3)
• Organisation of two networking events (Ireland and Marche, T4.3)
• Organisation of a first EU-level networking event (T4.3)
• Organisation of five study visits (Ireland, Puglia, Marche, AURA/ Pays de la Loire, Centru Region and Charles Spa, T4.4).
5) Work Package 5 ‘Assessing, replicating and making self-sustainable RuralBioUp’: impact indicators and impact assessment methodology were identified by IPE for evaluating the economic, environmental and social impacts of the project in each Regional Hub. The indicators and the methodology were subsequently presented to and discussed by the whole consortium during the consortium meeting in Iasi, Romania, on 20 November 2023. Following the results of those discussions, a final impact assessment questionnaire was prepared by IPE in December 2023. From January 2023, the Regional Facilitators carried out the first survey of economic, environmental and social impacts in the form of a questionnaire. The survey was administered to the local stakeholders in each Hub.
6) Work Package 6 ‘Dissemination, exploitation and communication activities’:
• Establishment of the project's identity as the foundation for all communication and dissemination efforts (T6.1)
• Establishment and development of channels and tools to share project activities and outcomes, such as the project website, social media accounts, YouTube Channel, and newsletter (T6.2)
• Participation in events where partners served as organizers, speakers, or attendees(T6.4)
• Engagement with networks, initiatives, and other projects, including joining Rural Bioeconomy Alliance (T6.4)
• Preparation and submission of two WP6 deliverables (D6.1 and D6.2).
• Onboarding of two organizations as members of the Advisory Board, namely EIT Climate KIC and ERRIN (T6.5)
• Identification of the initial list of exploitable project outputs (T6.3).
1) Work Package 1 'Project Management':
• organisation of the Kick-Off Meeting (10-11 October 2022, Rome, Italy),
• organisation of 12 online consortium meetings,
• organisation of a physical consortium meeting (20 November 2023, Iasi, Romania),
• quality assurance and submission of 11 deliverables,
• preparation of three WP1 deliverables (D1.1 D1.2 and D1.3)
• organisation of the internal technical and financial reporting (M9, June 2023) and analysis of the results in order to keep track of the project progress,
• setting-up of the Advisory Board and communication with the Advisory Board members (in cooperation with Task 6.5)
• ensuring adequate data management, including through continuous advice on personal data protection, and creating and populating the RuralBioUp Zenodo community.
2) Work Package 2 ‘Data collection and RuralBioUp one-stop shop’:
• Definition of the RuralSpot categories of information to be collected - completed at KOM (M1),
• Development of a template to facilitate the collection of existing data and knowledge made available by previous EU projects and research results (T2.1 M3)
• Definition of the selection criteria for sources to be used for the population of the RuralSpot,
• Harmonisation of sources and creation of the first batch of RuralSpot data (Biomass: 86, BM and Market Application: 14, Technologies: 13, Soil: 12, Financial Support: 14, Knowledge: 165),
• Harmonisation of the data above mentioned through a creation of Biomass Model Tool to support the development and implementation of the Action Plans of the respective Regional Hubs (T2.2)
• Identification of tailormade data to fit the needs and the selected value chains of each regional HUB with specific focus in bridging the categories to exploit new value chains (T2.2)
• First version of the RuralSpot platform launched (October 2023, T2.3)
• Workshop to validate the RuralSpot with external stakeholders (M13, T2.4)
• Lauch of the second (validated) version of the RuralSpot (March 2024, T2.3).
3) Work Package 3 ‘Building the regional hubs’:
• Two workshops focusing on co-creation and engagement of stakeholders (Task 3.1)
• Establishment of the handbook “How to build a RuralBioUp Regional Hub (Task 3.1)
• Establishment of 9 Regional Hubs and development of 9 Action Plans (Task 3.2)
• Identification of at least two value chains per Regional Hub (Task 3.2)
• First performed actions and activities in each Regional Hub (Task 3.3)
• Regular meetings for fostering exchange, communication and reflection among the Regional Facilitators (Task 3.3)
• Face2face reflection meeting (Iasi, Romania; November 2023) on the Action Plans and the impact assessment system (T3.4).
4) Work Package 4 ‘Empowering and supporting the regional hubs’:
• 14 financial opportunities and 165 training sources mapped (T4.1)
• 4 mandatory trainings and 13 trainings to-be-selected prepared or to be prepared by the consortium partners (T4.1)
• Initial Portfolio of Services prepared and delivered to the Regional Hubs (T4.1)
• Bilateral meetings with the Hubs to set up networking events (T4.3)
• Organisation of two networking events (Ireland and Marche, T4.3)
• Organisation of a first EU-level networking event (T4.3)
• Organisation of five study visits (Ireland, Puglia, Marche, AURA/ Pays de la Loire, Centru Region and Charles Spa, T4.4).
5) Work Package 5 ‘Assessing, replicating and making self-sustainable RuralBioUp’: impact indicators and impact assessment methodology were identified by IPE for evaluating the economic, environmental and social impacts of the project in each Regional Hub. The indicators and the methodology were subsequently presented to and discussed by the whole consortium during the consortium meeting in Iasi, Romania, on 20 November 2023. Following the results of those discussions, a final impact assessment questionnaire was prepared by IPE in December 2023. From January 2023, the Regional Facilitators carried out the first survey of economic, environmental and social impacts in the form of a questionnaire. The survey was administered to the local stakeholders in each Hub.
6) Work Package 6 ‘Dissemination, exploitation and communication activities’:
• Establishment of the project's identity as the foundation for all communication and dissemination efforts (T6.1)
• Establishment and development of channels and tools to share project activities and outcomes, such as the project website, social media accounts, YouTube Channel, and newsletter (T6.2)
• Participation in events where partners served as organizers, speakers, or attendees(T6.4)
• Engagement with networks, initiatives, and other projects, including joining Rural Bioeconomy Alliance (T6.4)
• Preparation and submission of two WP6 deliverables (D6.1 and D6.2).
• Onboarding of two organizations as members of the Advisory Board, namely EIT Climate KIC and ERRIN (T6.5)
• Identification of the initial list of exploitable project outputs (T6.3).