The project "BIOECO-UP - Circular bioeconomy market uptake and policy support in Central Europe" (CE0100254) is supported by the Interreg Central Europe 2021-2027 programme with co-financing from the European Regional Development Fund.
The circular economy in Central Europe is characterised by underdeveloped bio-based value chains, low consumer awareness and uneven progress in bioeconomy policy. BIO-ECO-UP is concerned with the further development of the circular bioeconomy in Central Europe. In addition to the 12 partnerships mentioned above, five ministries are involved as associated partners: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (PL); Ministry of Rural Affairs of the Republic of Estonia (EE); Slovenian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food (SI); Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatisation of the Slovak Republic (SK); Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic (CZ). The BIOEAST initiative (bioeast.eu), in which 11 Eastern European ministries of agriculture and supporting institutes are represented, will also be involved in BIOECO-UP. BIOECO-UP will be implemented in the Interreg Central Europe Programme 2021-2027, specifically in programme priority P2 – Cooperating for a greener Central Europe with priority objective SO2.3 – Taking circular economy forward in Central Europe.
Objective
BIOECO-UP aims to advance the circular bioeconomy in Central Europe by supporting the development of bio-based value chains, changes in consumer behaviour and changes in the policy framework.
Status of the work
Work package WP 1 (‘Circular bioeconomy cross-sector value chains’) aims to test, develop and disseminate solutions for the design of bio-based value chains based on seven transnational pilot studies. WP 2 (‘Empowering citizens to become active in circular bioeconomy’) aims to support 600 citizens in using, producing and evaluating bio-based products themselves. WP 3 (‘Mainstreaming of circular bioeconomy policies’) aims to identify bioeconomy policy measures in Central Europe, develop strategy and action plans, formulate recommendations, disseminate project results and promote exchange among stakeholders. More comprehensive information on activities, outputs, deliverables and the project schedule can be found in the project application. BAB is responsible for coordinating A.3.1 ‘Analysing circular bioeconomy measures’ and is also involved in other project activities.
Work carried out by 2025
In 2023, BAB's work focused on activities A.1.1 and A.3.1. For A.1.1 ‘Mapping bioeconomy potential’, data on the bioeconomy in Austria was researched, input on the bioeconomy in Austria was prepared, and a contribution to the synthesis report (Deliverable D.1.1.1: ‘Bioeconomy potential analysis’) was provided. For A.3.1 ‘Analysing circular bioeconomy measures’, BAB organised working meetings and drafted materials for further processing by all participating project partner organisations.
In 2024, BAB focused on the further coordination, design, implementation and completion of A.3.1, including the creation of lists of selected bioeconomy policy measures and the planning, organisation and documentation of a policy workshop for the transnational exchange of experiences. The results from A.3.1 were compiled in Deliverable D.3.1.1 ‘Policy analysis of circular bioeconomy policy measures’ and made available as input for further project activities and for selected stakeholders outside the project.
In 2025, the BAB's work focused on activities A.3.2 and A.3.4. For A.3.2 ‘Development of strategy and action plan for implementing bioeconomy measures’, results from A.3.1 were provided and a report entitled "Reflections on the EU Agri-food vision 2040, CAP 2028-2034 and circular bioeconomy‘ was written. Both served as input for Deliverable D.3.2.1 ’Strategy and action plan for bioeconomy measures". For A.3.4 ‘Shaping bioeconomy future’, a round table discussion entitled ‘A Bioeconomy Vision for Central Europe’ was organised for representatives from politics, research, business and society. The results from this round table discussion and a short report on important basic documents served as input for Deliverable D.3.4.1 ‘Bioeconomy future vision’. At the start of the final project period (October 2025 – March 2026), the dissemination of the project results was stepped up, including in connection with the ‘Central and Eastern European Bioeconomy Stakeholder Forum’ project and in events such as A.3.4 ‘Transnational Seminar’.
Planned work for 2026
For 2026, BAB plans to participate in the final work and dissemination of project results.
Timetable
Project start: 06/2023
Project end: 03/2026
Project cooperation
Landwirtschaftsministerium - Abteilung für Agrarforschung und Agrarumweltmanagement (HU); Bay Zoltán Nonprofit LTD for Applied Research - Abteilung für Biomasseproduktion und -verwertung (HU); Alma Mater Studiorum Universität Bologna - Abteilung für industrielle Chemie Toso montanari (IT); Tschechische Universität für Lebenswissenschaften Prag - Fakultät für Forst- und Holzwissenschaften (CZ); Landwirtschaftliche Forschung, LtD Troubsko (CZ); Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation Research State Institute - Department of Bioeconomy and Systems Analysis (PL); Institute for Circular Economy (HR); Institute for Sustainable Development (SI); University of Ljubljana - Biotechnical Faculty (SI); Bioeconomy Cluster (SK); Croatian Chamber of Agriculture - Department of Agricultural Policy, Innovation and International Cooperation (HR)
