Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Bio4HUMAN (Identifying bio-based solutions for waste management applicable to humanitarian sector)
Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-03-31
Bio4HUMAN’s overarching objective is to provide humanitarian aid operators and bio-based sector stakeholders, with science-based information on the application potential, sustainable performances, and circularity of bio-based products and systems, suitable for humanitarian purposes. This will be accomplished by examining the applicability of sustainable bio-based products and systems in the humanitarian context across different geographical regions, focusing on solid waste-related challenges. Parallel to that the project aims to explore the socio-economic, innovative and governance aspects of the proposed solutions, not omitting their potential for future replication that brings about efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability, cost-effectiveness, knowledge sharing, etc. The main findings of the project will be translated into a set of guidelines and recommendations and a replication roadmap of solutions identified applicable to diverse humanitarian contexts. Bio4HUMAN will take into account all the newly adopted policies, programs and legislation of the EU. To succeed in this interdisciplinary endeavour and to solve real societal needs, the multi-actor approach involving a diverse range of actors (bio-based sector actors, humanitarian aid actors, circular economy experts) will lie at the core of the action.
Bio4HUMAN aims to contribute to the identification of bio-based solutions for solid waste management that have the potential to be applicable in various humanitarian settings. To achieve this goal, Bio4HUMAN will conduct a scoping exercise that will come up with a list of solutions but also identify existing supply chain gaps. Following that, it performs life cycle assessments of the proposed solutions and evaluates their applicability with regard to socio-economic and governance aspects. To explore if solutions fit the purpose of key solid waste management stakeholders and to explore the possibility of their acceptance by the community, local businesses, and local authorities,
Bio4HUMAN will conduct a feasibility evaluation process in 2 African locations. Simultaneously, the project will develop a replication roadmap that will contribute to the future replicability of the solutions identified. Altogether, all of the Bio4HUMAN’s actions will help to improve ways of addressing waste management challenges under humanitarian contexts and to the reduction of waste littered in the environment. In the long run, Bio4HUMAN is expected to contribute to the development of innovative and sustainable value chains that will benefit consumers and citizens in Europe and beyond.
Bio4HUMAN aims to contribute to the identification of bio-based solutions for solid waste management that have the potential to be applicable in various humanitarian settings. To achieve this goal, Bio4HUMAN will conduct a scoping exercise that will come up with a list of solutions but also identify existing supply chain gaps. Following that, it performs life cycle assessments of the proposed solutions and evaluates their applicability with regard to socio-economic and governance aspects. To explore if solutions fit the purpose of key solid waste management stakeholders and to explore the possibility of their acceptance by the community, local businesses, and local authorities,
Bio4HUMAN will conduct a feasibility evaluation process in 2 African locations. Simultaneously, the project will develop a replication roadmap that will contribute to the future replicability of the solutions identified. Altogether, all of the Bio4HUMAN’s actions will help to improve ways of addressing waste management challenges under humanitarian contexts and to the reduction of waste littered in the environment. In the long run, Bio4HUMAN is expected to contribute to the development of innovative and sustainable value chains that will benefit consumers and citizens in Europe and beyond.
Bio4HUMAN successfully mapped the humanitarian sector’s solid waste management (SWM) needs. The results of this achievement are presented in the Humanitarian Sector Needs Assessment Report. The on-site assessment was conducted in two project locations – South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This report marked the first step towards successfully identifying bio-based solutions for SWM that can be applied across various humanitarian settings. The study analyzed common waste categories found in humanitarian contexts, along with key stakeholders involved in solid waste management within these settings. The report also highlighted key obstacles and potential advantages in managing solid waste within humanitarian contexts. It provided specific examples and explored how bio-based solutions might be applied to tackle these issues. The development of a set of data collection tools, including Key Informant Interview (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussion (FGDs) guides, as well as the Bio4HUMAN Observation tool, all created by PIN can be replicated for SWM needs assessments in various humanitarian settings and can be easily adapted for use in the development sector.
Mid-project, Bio4HUMAN successfully achieved its second milestone by concluding its scoping exercise.
After analyzing the types of waste commonly found in humanitarian settings and highlighting key challenges and opportunities in waste management, the Bio4HUMAN team began identifying suitable bio-based solutions. The goal was to find bio-based products and technologies that meet the needs of both humanitarian organizations and the communities they support.
Altogether, 81 solutions have been scoped and presented in a more detailed format to the whole Bio4HUMAN consortium and external stakeholders, primarily humanitarian organisations, for further feedback. Based on the features of applicability and functionality, the solutions were initially clustered into a few main categories, such as multi-purpose packaging products, hygiene products, construction-related products, packaging products for food and drinks, and small-scale technologies. Of particular interest were solutions combining both the product side and the technology side, allowing for the technology/installation to be easily transferred to the destination location and for the products to be prepared and delivered on site of the humanitarian intervention. For many of the solutions – the owners & innovators expressed explicit interest in working with the humanitarian partners and even declared further research expanding the scope of the current applicability, should the solution be widely accepted and feasible for humanitarian purposes.
The final List of 27 bio-based products and technologies comprises solutions contributing strongly to a more circular bioeconomy and exercising features of renewability, recyclability, biodegradability, compostability and sustainability. There are bio-based solutions with functional properties comparable to those of their fossil-based counterparts. They allow for durable applications and a reduction in the use of material.
Followingly, the Bio4HUMAN Gaps Analysis led by PRO CIVIS systematically evaluated solid waste management (SWM) challenges in humanitarian supply chains. The aims were achieved by using dedicated methodology based on different investigations line, including: literature reviews, interviews with supply chain leaders and structured data collection across nine supply chain stages. The main achievements of this report were a detailed analysis of the current state of SWM, desired of SWM and the outline of recommendations on how to bridge the existing gaps.
Mid-project, Bio4HUMAN successfully achieved its second milestone by concluding its scoping exercise.
After analyzing the types of waste commonly found in humanitarian settings and highlighting key challenges and opportunities in waste management, the Bio4HUMAN team began identifying suitable bio-based solutions. The goal was to find bio-based products and technologies that meet the needs of both humanitarian organizations and the communities they support.
Altogether, 81 solutions have been scoped and presented in a more detailed format to the whole Bio4HUMAN consortium and external stakeholders, primarily humanitarian organisations, for further feedback. Based on the features of applicability and functionality, the solutions were initially clustered into a few main categories, such as multi-purpose packaging products, hygiene products, construction-related products, packaging products for food and drinks, and small-scale technologies. Of particular interest were solutions combining both the product side and the technology side, allowing for the technology/installation to be easily transferred to the destination location and for the products to be prepared and delivered on site of the humanitarian intervention. For many of the solutions – the owners & innovators expressed explicit interest in working with the humanitarian partners and even declared further research expanding the scope of the current applicability, should the solution be widely accepted and feasible for humanitarian purposes.
The final List of 27 bio-based products and technologies comprises solutions contributing strongly to a more circular bioeconomy and exercising features of renewability, recyclability, biodegradability, compostability and sustainability. There are bio-based solutions with functional properties comparable to those of their fossil-based counterparts. They allow for durable applications and a reduction in the use of material.
Followingly, the Bio4HUMAN Gaps Analysis led by PRO CIVIS systematically evaluated solid waste management (SWM) challenges in humanitarian supply chains. The aims were achieved by using dedicated methodology based on different investigations line, including: literature reviews, interviews with supply chain leaders and structured data collection across nine supply chain stages. The main achievements of this report were a detailed analysis of the current state of SWM, desired of SWM and the outline of recommendations on how to bridge the existing gaps.
This part will be elaborated on during Reporting period 2.