Project description
New model for biotechnology promotion and trust-building
Biotechnology holds immense potential for sustainable development across healthcare, materials, chemicals, and food production sectors. However, widespread public reluctance to accept and support this technology has hindered its adoption. Consequently, the industry hesitates to implement biotechnological solutions. The EU-funded B-TRUST project seeks to promote transparency and inclusivity in the use of biotechnology within the bio-based and agri-food sectors. Engaging stakeholders through co-creation, the project aims to establish catalysts for trust. It will evaluate the risks and benefits of four biotech use cases to develop overarching trust-building measures. Finally, the project will establish a platform for stakeholders to receive training and ensure the sustainability of the model for research, policymaking, and funding purposes.
Objective
The effective application of biotechnology plays a crucial role in building a sustainable European industry, in line with the EU Bioeconomy Strategy and its Progress Report, and contributing to the transformation of Europe outlined in the Green Deal. But despite the enormous potential of biotechnology for contributing to sustainable development in areas such as healthcare, materials, chemicals and food production, the technology is not widely accepted and supported by the general public. This leads to reluctance among industry to adopt and invest in biotechnological solutions, uncertainty among investors, and creates little incentive to eliminate regulatory barriers that prevent implementation. Recognising their concerns is therefore essential for improving the adoption of these technologies. The main objective of the B-TRUST project is thus to develop a transparent and inclusive governance model enabling the application of biotechnology to the bio-based and agri-food sector. More specifically, to (1) inform and create transparency related to consumer and environmental safety, (2) leverage engagement from citizens and other stakeholders, and (3) develop and exchange best practices. This model will be built based on the Theory of Change, to ensure impact while keeping all actors committed, and use co-creation trajectories with civil society and stakeholders as trust catalysts, leading to a set of measures and principles for building trust. The model will be developed and finetuned via four biotech use cases chosen to cover different types of concerns and benefits. Mapping out the real and perceived risks and benefits of these technologies will lead to a comprehensive assessment of the technologies, laying the foundations for general trust-building. Lastly, a forum will be created to deploy trainings and keep stakeholders engaged and informed, allowing the model to be replicated and sustained for further research and development, policy making and funding schemes.
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Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-CSA - HORIZON Coordination and Support ActionsCoordinator
1210 SINT-JOOST-TEN-NODE
Belgium