Objective
BIOSPARK will be a game-changer for Europe’s skills and capacity in circular bio-based systems. Building on Bio-Based Education Centres (BIObec), the European Bioeconomy University (EBU) Alliance, and the Central and Eastern European Initiative for Knowledge-based Agriculture, Aquaculture and Forestry (BIOEAST) University Network (UniNet), it will create a pan-European network of 27 Bio-Based Education Centres (BBECs) covering all European Union Member States (EU-27), serving as regional anchors for education, training, and mutual learning, and together forming a European reference hub for bioeconomy and circularity skills.
The project tackles urgent needs: fragmented training frameworks, shortage of skilled professionals, limited inclusion of Widening countries, and weak academia–industry collaboration. BIOSPARK adopts a systemic, multi-actor approach, engaging the quadruple helix to co-create and deploy curricula, training actions, and lifelong learning pathways.
Its work unfolds in four phases: setting-up (network establishment, needs mapping, best practices), shaping (co-creation of 11 curricula actions combining Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) using innovative methodologies), piloting (testing with Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university students and professionals), and strengthening (fine-tuning curricula, preparing afterlife plans, consolidating the network, supporting the Bio-Based Industries Consortium Europe (BISC-E), and European Union-wide knowledge exchange).
By 2029, approximately 388 learners will participate in pilots, with strong engagement from Widening countries. By 2031, adoption will accelerate via universities, associations, and clusters, leveraging synergies with the New European Bauhaus Academy (NEBA), the Pact for Skills, and the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) Widening Strategy. By 2033, curricula will be embedded into education and industrial training systems. By 2035, BIOSPARK and the BBEC network will act as a European hub with multilingual content and extended outreach to associated non-European Union (non-EU) countries.
Two Key Impact Pathways underpin this vision: KIP1 – Knowledge and Capacity Building (35 curricula actions by 2033, reaching approximately 12,200 learners and certifying approximately 8,850 professionals by 2035) and KIP2 – Societal Transformation (a consolidated BBEC network engaging approximately 174 actors, with 18 Widening countries integrated).
By 2035, BIOSPARK will have achieved a transformational and lasting impact on Europe’s capacity to train a highly skilled workforce for the bioeconomy, contributing directly to key European strategies and policy frameworks such as the European Union Initiative on Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing through workforce readiness and advanced training, and aligning with the European Union Bioeconomy Strategy and Action Plan by fostering systemic innovation and sustainable skills development. It is fully consistent with the CBE JU Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) Strategic Priorities, particularly Strategic Priority 3 (SP3 – develop sustainable solutions) and Strategic Priority 4 (SP4 – enhance education and skills), while addressing the CBE JU Specific Objectives of Specific Objective 3 (SO3 – fostering synergies between actors) and Specific Objective 5 (SO5 – expanding upskilling capacities across Europe). Finally, BIOSPARK will drive measurable progress towards the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), while strengthening Europe’s competitiveness, inclusiveness, and sustainability in the transition to a circular bioeconomy.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.2.6 - Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.2.6.6 - Bio-based Innovation Systems in the EU Bioeconomy
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-JU-CSA - HORIZON JU Coordination and Support Actions
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-JU-CBE-2025
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
70211 KUOPIO
Finland
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Participants (17)
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70599 Stuttgart
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40126 Bologna
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6708 PB Wageningen
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1180 Wien
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750 07 Uppsala
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91120 Palaiseau
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02 787 WARSZAWA
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W23 Maynooth
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4 Dublin
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5037 DA Tilburg
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150 00 PRAHA 5
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25-604 Kielce
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41092 Sevilla
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20144 Milano
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1000 Bruxelles / Brussel
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00124 ROMA
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28006 MADRID
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.