Circular BIOeconomy TRANSFORMation for regions by enabling resource and governance networks

Project Information

BIOTRANSFORM

Grant agreement ID: 101081833

DOI

10.3030/101081833

Project closed

EC signature date 14 October 2022

Start date 1 October 2022

End date 31 May 2025

Funded under

• Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

Total cost

€ 1 999 973,75

EU contribution

€ 1 999 973,75

Coordinated by

TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY
Finland

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - BIOTRANSFORM (Circular BIOeconomy TRANSFORMation for regions by enabling resource and governance networks)

Reporting period: 2024-04-01 to 2025-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Context:
In the wake of pressing global challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, and biodiversity loss, there is an urgent need to transition from linear, fossil-based economies to more sustainable, resilient, and circular bio-based economies. The European Union has been at the forefront of advocating for and implementing strategies aimed at fostering a circular bioeconomy. However, the path to a circular bioeconomy is fraught with complexities involving technological, economic, social, and regulatory dimensions. The BIOTRANSFORM project is seeking to address the systemic barriers and leverage points for facilitating such a transformative shift at a regional level.

Overall Objectives:
- To develop and validate a comprehensive methodology for the systemic transformation of regions from linear fossil-based economies to circular bio-based economies.
- To actively engage regional stakeholders, including businesses, policymakers, academia, and civil society, in a co-creation process to tailor and implement transformation pathways.
- To demonstrate the effectiveness of the transformation pathways in selected pilot regions and develop mechanisms for the replication and scaling of successful models across Europe and beyond.

Expected Impact:
- Environmental sustainability: By transitioning to a circular bioeconomy, the project aims to significantly reduce waste, carbon emissions, and natural resource consumption.
- Economic resilience: The project expects to foster economic resilience by diversifying regional economies, creating new green jobs, and stimulating innovation in bio-based products and services.
- Social prosperity: Through inclusive stakeholder engagement processes, the project aims to ensure that the transition to a circular bioeconomy is socially equitable, offering opportunities for all sectors of society and enhancing regional quality of life.
- Policy influence: By showcasing successful models of regional transformation, BIOTRANSFORM aims to inform and influence policy at local, national, and European levels, contributing to the broader adoption of circular bioeconomy strategies.

Integration of Social Sciences and Humanities:
The project recognizes the crucial role of social sciences and humanities in understanding the societal implications of the transition to a circular bioeconomy. These disciplines are integral to the project for analysing social dynamics, governance structures, cultural values, and behavioral changes essential for facilitating systemic transformation.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The BIOTRANSFORM project embarked on an ambitious journey to transition regions from linear, fossil-based economies to sustainable, circular bio-based economies. Through extensive desk research and stakeholder engagement across six case-study regions, the project identified the environmental, economic, and social challenges of current systems.

A core achievement was the development of an integrated assessment package, comprising three innovative tools designed for resource flow analysis, impact assessment, and logistics optimisation.

The work in the project included the validation, comparison, and optimisation of the assessment package within the case-study regions. The project team developed a methodology for region-specific transformation pathways, incorporating feedback from external experts.

In parallel, the project tackled the challenge of providing comprehensive governance guidelines and financing guidance to policymakers.

Lastly, the BIOTRANSFORM project maximised its impact through targeted dissemination, communication, and exploitation activities.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The advancements of BIOTRANSFORM not only offer new insights and methodologies but also set the stage for transformative impacts across environmental, economic, and social dimensions.

Key Results
- Integrated assessment package: The development of a comprehensive assessment package, including tools for resource flow analysis, impact assessment, and logistics optimisation, represents a leap forward. This suite of tools enables a more nuanced understanding and planning of circular bio-based transitions, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative analyses.
- Multi-actor approach: By engaging a broad spectrum of stakeholders through a structured multi-actor approach, the project has facilitated co-creation and co-validation processes that are more inclusive and reflective of diverse regional specificities. This approach enhances the relevance and applicability of transition pathways.
- Region-specific transformation pathways: The formulation of tailored transformation pathways for different regions, grounded in detailed environmental, economic, and social analyses, marks a significant advancement.


Key Needs for Further Uptake and Success
- Further research and demonstration
- Access to markets and finance
- Supportive regulatory and standardisation framework

A general flow of resources in a circular bioeconomy system

The connected biorefinery scheme foresees valorisation of all resources at different scales