scieee AI-readable full text Open interactive document viewer

BioINSouth: Enhancing Regional Policies and Environmental Sustainability for Bio-based Sectors to Boost Innovation and Inclusivity in Southern Europe

Vougogiannopoulou, Konstantina

Publisher
Zenodo
DOI
10.5281/zenodo.17772488
Repository
zenodo.org
Language
en

Abstract

BioINSouth project aims to support regional policymakers in integrating ecological limits into bioeconomy strategies and roadmaps for circular bio-based activities. By developing guidelines and digital tools within the safe and sustainable by design (SSbD) assessment framework, the project fosters innovative methodologies for assessing environmental impacts across various industrial bio-based systems. Targeting Southern Mediterranean European regions, particularly those lagging behind such as Cyprus, Slovenia, Greece, and Portugal, BioINSouth will also involve broader participation from Spain, France, Italy, and international cooperation with Türkiye. Leveraging the BIOEAST initiative that focuses on central Europe, BioINSouth will establish QH-based regional Multi-Actor Regional Groups (MARGs) to lead co-creation activities in the establishment of eight bioeconomy-oriented regional HUBs in Campania (Italy), Peloponnese (Greece), Andalusia and Asturias (Spain), Centro (Portugal), Slovenia, Nouvelle-Aquitaine (France), and Cyprus. These HUBs will promote the exchange of best practices, and foster innovative methodologies for assessing environmental impacts and circularity in bio-based sectors. BioINSouth aims to enhance regional competitiveness, innovation capacity, and contribute to the EU's fair and green transition. A key component of BioINSouth is the analysis of regional stakeholders. Using the digital tool Wheesbee, developed by Innovation Engineering (PNO Group), the project determined bioeconomy technologies and top innovators based on their participation in funded projects over the last 10 years. This tool helped map stakeholders in BioINSouth HUBs regions, understanding the interests, objectives, and relationships of local actors, for developing effective bioeconomy strategies. By engaging diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, public authorities, market operators, civil society, and research organizations, the project ensures that methodologies and tools are tailored to regional needs and challenges. The stakeholder analysis identifies opportunities and barriers, enabling targeted interventions that drive sustainable bioeconomy practices. The overall methodology promotes collaboration and the exchange of best practices within a macro-regional BioINSouth Network and with international organizations. Demonstrated in eight regions, the concept will be transferable and replicable throughout other Southern European regions and beyond, ensuring sustainability and circularity in bio-based sectors. This project underscores the importance of regional policies in driving sustainable bioeconomy practices and fostering inclusive growth. Acknowledgment: Project BioINSouth (Grant Agreement No. 101156363) is co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them.

Full text

Organisers and Partners ERSA2025 Congress Abstract book 1171 BioINSouth: Enhancing Regional Policies and Environmental Sustainability for Bio-based Sectors to Boost Innovation and Inclusivity in Southern Europe Mr. Mario Bonaccorso1, Dr. Pierluigi Argoneto1, Dr. Konstantina (Nadia) Vougogiannopoulou7, Mrs. María García Alegre2, Dr. George Sakellaris3, Mrs Inma Sánchez Cantero4, Mr. Filipa Sacadura5, Prof. Konstantinos Vorgias6, Mr. Lorenzo Sutton8, Prof. Francesco Caracciolo9, Mrs. Alenka Dovč10, Dr. Laurent Augier11, Dr. Volkan Pelitli12, Dr. Cristina Viera Bardón13, Dr. Evie Demetriou14, Mrs. Phoebe Vayannou14, Dr. Jessica Frigerio15 1SPRING - Italian Circular Bioeconomy Cluster, Milan, Italy, 2CTA (Technological Corporation of Andalusia), Seville, Spain, 3BIOEAST HUB CR, Prague, Czech Republic, 4LEITAT Technological Center , Barcelona, Spain, 5P-BIO - Portuguese Bioindustry Association, Cantanhede, Portugal, 6National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece, 7PNO Innovation (Greece), Athens, Greece, 8Innovation Engineering, Rome, Italy, 9University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy, 10Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, Ljubljana, Slovenia, 11Agri Sud-Ouest Innovation, Castanet-Tolosan, France, 12TÜBİTAK MARMARA RESEARCH CENTER, Gebze Kocaeli, Türkiye , 13ASINCAR Agrifood Cluster of Asturias, Noreña, Spain, 14Frederick University, Nicosia, Cyprus, 15University of Milan Bicocca, Milan, Italy S53 Promoting Circular Bioeconomy at the regional level. Potentials and challenges, Amph 2, August 28, 2025, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM BioINSouth project aims to support regional policymakers in integrating ecological limits into bioeconomy strategies and roadmaps for circular bio-based activities. By developing guidelines and digital tools within the safe and sustainable by design (SSbD) assessment framework, the project fosters innovative methodologies for assessing environmental impacts across various industrial biobased systems. Targeting Southern Mediterranean European regions, particularly those lagging behind such as Cyprus, Slovenia, Greece, and Portugal, BioINSouth will also involve broader participation from Spain, France, Italy, and international cooperation with Türkiye. Leveraging the BIOEAST initiative that focuses on central Europe, BioINSouth will establish QH-based regional Multi-Actor Regional Groups (MARGs) to lead co-creation activities in the establishment of eight bioeconomy-oriented regional HUBs in Campania (Italy), Peloponnese (Greece), Andalusia and Asturias (Spain), Centro (Portugal), Slovenia, Nouvelle-Aquitaine (France), and Cyprus. These HUBs will promote the exchange of best practices, and foster innovative methodologies for assessing environmental impacts and circularity in bio-based sectors. BioINSouth aims to enhance regional competitiveness, innovation capacity, and contribute to the EU's fair and green transition. A key component of BioINSouth is the analysis of regional stakeholders. Using the digital tool Wheesbee, developed by Innovation Engineering (PNO Group), the project determined bioeconomy technologies and top innovators based on their participation in funded projects over the last 10 years. This tool helped map stakeholders in BioINSouth HUBs regions, understanding the interests, objectives, and relationships of local actors, for developing effective bioeconomy strategies. By engaging diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, public authorities, market operators, civil society, and research organizations, the project ensures that methodologies and tools are tailored to regional needs and challenges. The stakeholder analysis identifies opportunities and barriers, enabling targeted interventions that drive sustainable bioeconomy practices. The overall methodology promotes collaboration and the exchange of best practices within a macroregional BioINSouth Network and with international organizations. Demonstrated in eight regions, the concept will be transferable and replicable throughout other Southern European regions and beyond, ensuring sustainability and circularity in bio-based sectors. This project underscores the importance of regional policies in driving sustainable bioeconomy practices and fostering inclusive growth. Acknowledgment: Project BioINSouth (Grant Agreement No. 101156363) is co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them.