Rural areas are central to Europe’s transition to a sustainable circular bioeconomy: they provide biological resources, local knowledge and space for new value chains, while often facing weaker innovation networks, limited access to finance and support services, skills gaps, youth outmigration and fragmented links between entrepreneurs, research, public authorities and investors. DRIVE addressed these challenges by strengthening bioeconomy entrepreneurship in three rural Startup Village pilot regions: Bohinj (Slovenia), Serres (Greece) and Le Bourget-du-Lac (France).
Over 18 months, DRIVE developed and tested a place-based approach that connects evidence gathering, community building, challenge-driven innovation, business acceleration and policy support. Its objectives were to identify rural bioeconomy needs and successful support practices; design and deliver tailored capacity building for start-ups and SMEs; create stronger local and European networks; assess the sustainability and transferability of the approach; and translate lessons into practical action plans and policy recommendations. The project expected to help rural innovators turn locally available resources, including agricultural and forestry residues and agri-food by-products, into viable circular business opportunities. In doing so, it contributes to more resilient rural economies, better use of resources, climate and biodiversity objectives, and the retention of skills and talent in rural areas.
Social-science perspectives were integral to DRIVE’s approach. Stakeholder interviews, participatory Roadshows, feedback surveys and co-creation with local actors were used to understand territorial barriers, social needs, governance arrangements and the conditions needed for inclusive innovation. This ensured that the project did not apply a one-size-fits-all model, but developed support adapted to each territory.
