Periodic Reporting for period 1 - BEAMING (BIOECONOMY EXCELLENCE ALLIANCE FOR STIMULATING INNOVATIVE AND INCLUSIVE GREEN TRANSITION)
Période du rapport: 2024-01-01 au 2025-04-30
The BEAMING project addresses persistent disparities in research and innovation (R&I) capacity across Europe by strengthening bioeconomy research excellence in Widening Countries—specifically in Central and Southeastern Europe, including the Western Balkans. Despite increasing policy attention, higher education institutions (HEIs) in these regions often face structural challenges, limited cross-sectoral collaboration, and underdeveloped systems for knowledge valorisation and technology transfer.
To tackle these issues, BEAMING brings together actors from Widening and EU14 countries in a strategic Alliance designed to foster institutional reform towards building inclusive and sustainable bioeconomy ecosystems with HEIs and research institutions at their heart. At its core, BEAMING promotes the uptake of the Quadruple Helix (QH) innovation model—encouraging dynamic cooperation among academia, industry, government, and civil society.
The project pursues seven interlinked objectives:
1. Strengthening the skills of early-career researchers
2. Facilitating institutional reforms for excellence
3. Fostering networking, knowledge exchange, and cross-disciplinary collaboration by establishing sustainable Communities of Practice
4. Designing joint R&I strategies
5. Mainstreaming Open Science practices
6. Boosting the valorisation of research results
7. Embedding inclusive and gender-sensitive innovation cultures
Through these efforts, BEAMING aims to align participating institutions with the European Research Area (ERA) Policy Agenda, particularly in areas related to the bioeconomy and circular economy. The project boosts the global visibility and competitiveness of HEIs in Widening countries and contribute meaningfully to Europe’s green and digital transitions by turning research into real-world, cross-sectoral impact.
To tackle these issues, BEAMING brings together actors from Widening and EU14 countries in a strategic Alliance designed to foster institutional reform towards building inclusive and sustainable bioeconomy ecosystems with HEIs and research institutions at their heart. At its core, BEAMING promotes the uptake of the Quadruple Helix (QH) innovation model—encouraging dynamic cooperation among academia, industry, government, and civil society.
The project pursues seven interlinked objectives:
1. Strengthening the skills of early-career researchers
2. Facilitating institutional reforms for excellence
3. Fostering networking, knowledge exchange, and cross-disciplinary collaboration by establishing sustainable Communities of Practice
4. Designing joint R&I strategies
5. Mainstreaming Open Science practices
6. Boosting the valorisation of research results
7. Embedding inclusive and gender-sensitive innovation cultures
Through these efforts, BEAMING aims to align participating institutions with the European Research Area (ERA) Policy Agenda, particularly in areas related to the bioeconomy and circular economy. The project boosts the global visibility and competitiveness of HEIs in Widening countries and contribute meaningfully to Europe’s green and digital transitions by turning research into real-world, cross-sectoral impact.
In the first 16 months of the BEAMING project, all planned technical and scientific activities were successfully implemented, laying a solid foundation for the future.
Under WP1, effective project governance and coordination mechanisms were established, including the development of the BEAMING Agenda, Project Management Handbook, and Data Management Plan. A structured schedule of General Assemblies, Executive Board meetings, and dedicated Task Force and WP-level meetings ensured alignment and progress across all work packages.
In WP3, the BEAMING Alliance was formally launched in accordance with our Strategic Roadmap (D3.1) creating a framework for sustained cooperation among project partners. The first Communities of Practice (CoPs) dedicated to Bioeconomy Research (BR) and Open Science (OS) were successfully initiated based on co-creation principles and supported by the guidelines for CoP formation and operation (D3.2). These actions fostered cross-sectoral engagement and built momentum for collaborative innovation.
WP5 delivered a detailed analysis (D5.1) of Quadruple Helix (QH) innovation ecosystems across the Widening Countries involved in the project. This included surveys and stakeholder consultations resulting in country-level assessments, a comparative analysis, and recommendations to guide institutional reform. The latter was further promoted by our evaluation of current institutional practices (D5.2) at BEAMING HEIs. Capacity-building needs in bioeconomy research were mapped, forming the basis for targeted training strategies and the development of our open Online BR Training Program.
In WP7, the project advanced Open Science practices through multiple coordinated efforts. The OS Task Force and CoP were launched, providing a platform for institutional exchange and capacity development. A detailed assessment of institutional practices summarised in the OS Case Study Book (D7.1) supported the development of individual OS Action Plans (D7.3) providing a framework for institutional reform. Similarly to WP5, a modular Online OS Training Program was also delivered, focusing on EU priorities such as open data, scholarly communication, and citizen science.
Collectively, these activities strengthened institutional capacity in bioeconomy research, facilitated cross-border and cross-sector collaboration, and set in motion structural changes aligned with European Research Area priorities.
Under WP1, effective project governance and coordination mechanisms were established, including the development of the BEAMING Agenda, Project Management Handbook, and Data Management Plan. A structured schedule of General Assemblies, Executive Board meetings, and dedicated Task Force and WP-level meetings ensured alignment and progress across all work packages.
In WP3, the BEAMING Alliance was formally launched in accordance with our Strategic Roadmap (D3.1) creating a framework for sustained cooperation among project partners. The first Communities of Practice (CoPs) dedicated to Bioeconomy Research (BR) and Open Science (OS) were successfully initiated based on co-creation principles and supported by the guidelines for CoP formation and operation (D3.2). These actions fostered cross-sectoral engagement and built momentum for collaborative innovation.
WP5 delivered a detailed analysis (D5.1) of Quadruple Helix (QH) innovation ecosystems across the Widening Countries involved in the project. This included surveys and stakeholder consultations resulting in country-level assessments, a comparative analysis, and recommendations to guide institutional reform. The latter was further promoted by our evaluation of current institutional practices (D5.2) at BEAMING HEIs. Capacity-building needs in bioeconomy research were mapped, forming the basis for targeted training strategies and the development of our open Online BR Training Program.
In WP7, the project advanced Open Science practices through multiple coordinated efforts. The OS Task Force and CoP were launched, providing a platform for institutional exchange and capacity development. A detailed assessment of institutional practices summarised in the OS Case Study Book (D7.1) supported the development of individual OS Action Plans (D7.3) providing a framework for institutional reform. Similarly to WP5, a modular Online OS Training Program was also delivered, focusing on EU priorities such as open data, scholarly communication, and citizen science.
Collectively, these activities strengthened institutional capacity in bioeconomy research, facilitated cross-border and cross-sector collaboration, and set in motion structural changes aligned with European Research Area priorities.
BEAMING has already delivered several results that go beyond the current state of the art in advancing bioeconomy research and innovation in Widening Countries. Notably, it has developed the first strategic roadmap tailored to building an excellence alliance in the bioeconomy domain across Eastern Europe. Our detailed country-level assessments of bioeconomy innovation ecosystems identified systemic gaps in governance, research capacities, and technology transfer, and Open Science. It designed a novel, open, and modular capacity-building programme for early-career researchers that already integrates Bioeconomy Research and Open Science, with more topics to be covered in the future.
These results are expected to strengthen the integration of Widening HEIs into the European Research Area, reduce regional R&I disparities, and accelerate the uptake of sustainable bioeconomy solutions aligned with the EU Green Deal and Bioeconomy Strategy. The CoP model, institutional OS Action Plans, and training resources lay the groundwork for long-term, self-sustaining transformation in research practice and stakeholder engagement.
Key Needs for Further Uptake
• Demonstration and piloting of QH collaboration models adapted to local contexts
• Continued international networking to link BEAMING CoPs with wider EU and global initiatives
• Tailored IPR and tech transfer support services to help researchers valorise results
• Sustained engagement with university managements to ensure institutional buy-in and leadership commitment for long-term institutional reform
These results are expected to strengthen the integration of Widening HEIs into the European Research Area, reduce regional R&I disparities, and accelerate the uptake of sustainable bioeconomy solutions aligned with the EU Green Deal and Bioeconomy Strategy. The CoP model, institutional OS Action Plans, and training resources lay the groundwork for long-term, self-sustaining transformation in research practice and stakeholder engagement.
Key Needs for Further Uptake
• Demonstration and piloting of QH collaboration models adapted to local contexts
• Continued international networking to link BEAMING CoPs with wider EU and global initiatives
• Tailored IPR and tech transfer support services to help researchers valorise results
• Sustained engagement with university managements to ensure institutional buy-in and leadership commitment for long-term institutional reform