D2.2 Multi-Actor stakeholders approach framework (BioINSouth project)

Co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. under Grant Agreement No 101156363. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them. Project title Supporting regional environmental sustainability assessment for the bio-based sectors to improve innovation, industries and inclusivity in South Europe Project acronym BioINSouth Grant agreement ID 101156363 Project start date 01/06/2024 Duration 36 months D2.2 Multi-Actor stakeholders approach framework (M12) Due date 31/05/2025 Delivery date 30/05/2025 Work Package WP2 Author(s) responsible Nadia Vougogiannopoulou Contributor(s) M. Garcia Reviewer(s) Pierluigi Argoneto, Lara Carlet (SPRING) Version 4 Dissemination level PUB VERSION AND AMENDMENT HISTORY Version Date (DD/MM/YYYY) Created by/ Amended by Review of changes 1 18/5/2025 N. Vougogiannopoulou Created 2 20/5/2025 M. Garcia/O. Sengur Amended 3 21/5/2025 N. Vougogiannopoulou Final Draft Version 3.1 24/05/2025 Pierluigi Argoneto, Lara Carlet Final comments 4 27/05/2025 N. Vougogiannopoulou Final version D2.2 Multi-Actor stakeholders approach framework (M12) Co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. under Grant Agreement No 101156363. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them. Table of Contents 1 Executive summary................................................................................................................................... 4 2 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 5 2.1 Stakeholder mapping to support the BioINSouth Multi-Actor Approach ..................................... 5 2.2 Executive summary and overview .................................................................................................. 7 3 Objectives and approach ......................................................................................................................... 8 3.1 Objectives of stakeholder mapping in BioINSouth ....................................................................... 8 3.2 Project mapping and stakeholder inventory ................................................................................ 10 3.2.1 Project mapping ........................................................................................................................ 10 3.2.2 Stakeholders’ categories .......................................................................................................... 11 3.3 Methodology .................................................................................................................................. 12 3.3.1 Desk research ........................................................................................................................... 14 3.3.2 Input from BioINSouth MARG/HUB coordinators ................................................................... 16 3.3.3 Input from the rest of BioINSouth consortium ........................................................................ 19 3.3.4 Harmonisation of results .......................................................................................................... 20 4 BioINSouth databases and analysis ...................................................................................................... 21 4.1 Global BioINSouth Stakeholder Database .................................................................................. 21 4.2 Linked and sister projects databases .......................................................................................... 27 4.3 BioINSouth National/Regional Stakeholders’ Databases .......................................................... 30 4.3.1 Andalusia and Asturias (Spain) ................................................................................................ 31 4.3.2 Centro (Portugal) ....................................................................................................................... 31 4.3.3 Campania (Italy) ........................................................................................................................ 32 4.3.4 Nouvelle-Aquitaine (France) ..................................................................................................... 34 4.3.5 Peloponnese (Greece) .............................................................................................................. 35 4.3.6 Cyprus ........................................................................................................................................ 36 4.3.7 Slovenia ..................................................................................................................................... 36 5 The BioINSouth Stakeholder Platform .................................................................................................. 37 5.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 37 5.2 The BioINSouth stakeholder platform environment ................................................................... 38 5.3 BioINSouth platform content ........................................................................................................ 42 D2.2 Multi-Actor stakeholders approach framework (M12) Page 3 of 77 Co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. under Grant Agreement No 101156363. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them. 6 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................... 42 7 ANNEXES ................................................................................................................................................. 44 7.1 Annex I: Definition of keywords and Wheesbee refinement ....................................................... 44 7.2 Annex II: Sample of the BioINSouth Global Stakeholder Database ........................................... 46 7.3 Annex III: Samples of the National/Regional Stakeholder databases ....................................... 51 7.4 Annex IV: Linked and Sister Projects database ........................................................................... 76 ABBREVIATIONS MEANING SH stakeholder VC value chain MAA multi-actor approach MARG multi actor regional group QH quadruple helix BSP BioINSouth Stakeholder Platform D2.2 Multi-Actor stakeholders approach framework (M12) Page 4 of 77 Co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. under Grant Agreement No 101156363. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them. 1 Executive summary The BioINSouth project is a transformative initiative aimed at embedding sustainability and circularity into the heart of regional bioeconomy strategies across Southern Europe. At its core lies a Multi-Actor Approach (MAA)—a collaborative framework that brings together stakeholders from academia, industry, government, and civil society (the Quadruple Helix) to co-create solutions tailored to regional needs. Recognising the diversity and complexity of Southern Europe’s ecological and socio-economic landscapes, BioINSouth has developed a robust stakeholder engagement strategy. This strategy is grounded in comprehensive stakeholder mapping, which identifies and categorises key actors across eight regions: Andalusia, Asturias, Campania, Centro, Cyprus, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Peloponnese, and Slovenia. To operationalise this, the project established Multi-Actor Regional Groups (MARGs) and a centralised BioINSouth Stakeholder Platform (BSP). These structures are designed to foster dialogue, build trust, and facilitate knowledge exchange. The BSP serves as a digital hub where stakeholders can access resources, participate in discussions, and contribute to shaping regional bioeconomy policies. The mapping process, led by PNO Innovation (Greece), employed advanced tools like Wheesbee, a big data analytics platform, to scan over 12,000 EU and national projects, resulting in the creation of a suite of comprehensive stakeholder databases. These include a Global Stakeholder Database, seven National/Regional Databases, and a Linked and Sister Projects Database. Together, they form a foundational asset for the project—offering a living, evolving map of the bioeconomy landscape in Southern Europe. These databases not only identify key actors and their roles across value chains but also enable precise regional targeting, support evidence-based decision-making, and foster cross-border collaboration. By capturing the dynamic interplay of stakeholders, funding trends, and innovation ecosystems, they empower regional HUBs and MARGs to tailor engagement strategies, identify synergies, and scale successful models. As such, the databases are not just tools—they are strategic enablers of BioINSouth’s mission to catalyse a resilient, inclusive, and regionally grounded bioeconomy. Importantly, the report underscores the evolving policy context, including the shift of bioeconomy responsibilities from DG Research & Innovation to DG Environment, signaling a stronger emphasis on environmental outcomes. This transition reinforces the need for inclusive, regionally grounded strategies that align innovation with sustainability. In essence, this deliverable lays the groundwork for a living ecosystem of collaboration, where regional actors are not just participants but co-architects of a sustainable bioeconomy future. D2.2 Multi-Actor stakeholders approach framework (M12) Page 5 of 77 Co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. under Grant Agreement No 101156363. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them. 2 Introduction 2.1 Stakeholder mapping to support the BioINSouth Multi-Actor Approach The BioINSouth project aims to support decision-makers to incorporate considerations of ecological limits into their regional bioeconomy strategies and roadmaps, in relation to circular and/or bio-based activities, in Southern Europe. The main objectives of the project are: 1. Developing new, or improve existing methodologies and digital tools for the assessment of environmental impacts and circularity of bio-based systems, concerning: a. Estimations on the market growth of bio-based chemicals, ingredients, and materials b. Biomass availability requirements for chemicals, polymers and materials c. Assessment of impacts on food security, land use, land use change, forestry, biodiversity and ecosystems integrity 2. Constructing an integrated toolkit to include digital tools, methodologies and guidelines to support decision – makers to incorporate considerations of ecological limits into regional bioeconomy strategies and roadmaps 3. Designing an effective regional monitoring system applicable to various bioeconomy sectors in the context of Southern Europe, to ensure a wider geographical impact of project results 4. Demonstrating the use of the integrated toolkit, while performing analyses of regional policies 5. Co-developing policy recommendations for sustainability and circularity in industrial bio-based systems for strengthening integration into regional bioeconomy strategies 6. Ensuring wide visibility and replication of the BioINSouth experience and results. The crucial element in the BioINSouth concept is its regional approach, through the formation of eight bioeconomy HUBs in the following regions 1 : 1. Andalusia (Spain) 2. Asturias (Spain) 3. Campania (Italy) 4. Centro (Portugal) 5. Cyprus 6. Nouvelle-Aquitaine (France) 7. Peloponnese (Greece) 8. Slovenia Within these regions, stakeholder engagement will be achieved by: • Setting up the Multi-Actor Regional Groups (MARGs) by involving at least eight stakeholders of the Quadruple Helix, per region • Establishing the BioINSouth HUBs in each of the eight regions by providing guidelines for their action plan and mobilisation 1 In the cases of Cyprus and Slovenia, due to small size the whole countries participate in the regional HUBs D2.2 Multi-Actor stakeholders approach framework (M12) Page 6 of 77 Co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. under Grant Agreement No 101156363. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them. Therefore, the BioINSouth strategy revolves around the Multi-Actor Approach (MAA) emphasising in the synergies and engagement among cross-disciplinary stakeholders, promoting cooperation among actors in diverse bioeconomy related value chains (VCs). The BioINSouth MAA envisages to engage SHs and actors in the bioeconomy sector in South Europe, by understanding their needs, the individualities of each Southern region and the relation with the bioeconomy VCs implemented in the region. In addition, the MAA through targeted regional actions and planning (see D2.1) will enable dialogue, capacity building, co-creation, opportunities for bioeconomy development, in real scenarios through the hubs, promoting innovative business models for strengthening bioeconomy VCs and impact in Southern Europe. Figure 1 The eight BioINSouth regions and brief outline of bioeconomy status In this context, the initial step in establishing the multi-actor framework within BioINSouth was the formation of the Multi Actor Regional Groups (MARGs). These groups are composed of representatives from at least eight relevant quadruple helix stakeholders per region, including local governments, the business community, academic institutions, the private sector, and civil society (with at least one representative from each category) connected to the bioeconomy sector. The BioINSouth MARG Members will provide their expertise on the requirements and challenges currently faced by the BioINSouth stakeholder groups. They will also offer valuable feedback on the concepts, initial steps, and outcomes of the project's activities. The regional MARG members will form the basis of the BioINSouth SH Panel, that will expand throughout the duration of the project by deploying tools like the SH mapping and analysis, and the BioINSouth SH Platform implemented in T2.3 and elaborated in this Deliverable (D2.2). D2.2 Multi-Actor stakeholders approach framework (M12) Page 7 of 77 Co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. under Grant Agreement No 101156363. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them. 2.2 Executive summary and overview A SH engagement strategy is crucial for the BioINSouth project due to the diverse needs and challenges of Southern European regions, including the Mediterranean. Parameters to consider include: • Regional Diversity and Specific Needs: each region has unique ecological, economic, and social contexts, requiring tailored approaches for effective outcomes. • Inclusive and Comprehensive Approach: engaging a broad range of actors and stakeholders ensures all relevant voices are heard, fostering a holistic approach to bioeconomy development in regional/national level. • Enhancing Policy Coordination: improved communication and collaboration align regional policies with EU objectives, addressing environmental challenges and enhancing resource efficiency. • Building Trust and Ownership: early stakeholder engagement builds trust and a sense of ownership, increasing support and active participation. • Facilitating Knowledge Transfer and Best Practices: regular workshops, forums, and outreach activities enable regions to share experiences and adopt successful strategies, accelerating progress. • Addressing Regional Challenges and Opportunities: leveraging local knowledge helps tackle specific challenges like climate change and resource scarcity, while identifying regional opportunities. • Ensuring Long-Term Sustainability: continuous dialogue and collaboration create a supportive environment for the long-term adoption of bioeconomy strategies, ensuring sustained benefits beyond the project’s duration. The SH mapping aims at providing a comprehensive overview of the SHs and actors in the field of bioeconomy and circular bioeconomy, relevant to the regional aspects of BioINSouth, in order to create an inventory of SHs that can potentially be assimilated in the activities of the project and the MMA actions planned throughout the duration of the project, concerning the established MARGs and HUBs. This will include: • Collection of data to understand the needs, preferences, constraints of the bioeconomy VCs in the BioINSouth regions • Gather insights for the potential complications and barriers that limit the replication of the BioINSouth MMA in other countries or regions • Co-develop briefs and policy recommendations for the R&I priorities in regional level that will enhance the implementation of bioeconomy in South Europe. The SH mapping and subsequent analysis of the landscape is an integral part of the BioINSouth project implementation, while this report will provide a white paper in the bioeconomy SH composition in the target regions of South Europe. The BioINSouth SH inventory is designed to provide twofold information on: • The classification of the variety of SHs based on type of organisation (e.g. industries, policy makers, research community, civil society) with respect to the QH model D2.2 Multi-Actor stakeholders approach framework (M12) Page 8 of 77 Co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. under Grant Agreement No 101156363. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them. • Determine the locality of the SHs in order to provide comprehensive information to BioINSouth HUBs coordinators on the regional bioeconomy status • The rationale for engaging them to the BioINSouth Stakeholder Platform in relation to their interests in specific MAA actions or networking/information. The SH mapping and analysis was carried out in multiple levels, The Stakeholders Analysis was carried out through a multi-level methodology, where all partners contributed to the success of the mapping process. • Level 1: PNO Innovation (Greece) as deliverable leader, applied a consolidated methodology where the initial step foresaw desk research exploiting Wheesbee, a sophisticated big data analytics tool – developed and owned by the INNEN partner (part of the PNO group) – specifically designed for analysing innovation ecosystems and extracting valuable information. • Level 2: All MARG/HUB coordinating partners contributed to gathering information on relevant SHs from their respective regions • Level 3: PNO Innovation (Greece) undertook the curation and harmonisation of all data obtained to provide them to the consortium in a uniform format (.xlsx), and compile them into easy-to-use databases that can be enriched by the HUB coordinators until the end of the project. The BioINSouth databases were used to set up the BSP, to assist in the MAA along with the actions of T2.1, and to facilitate dissemination and communication of results to targeted environments. Given the dynamicity of the bioeconomy scene in South Europe, as well as a continuous evolution of priorities, policies, and regulations, beside the ongoing changing in the international scenario, this report will be updated with the replication regions (e.g. Türkiye) by the end of the project (M36) and assimilated in D7.4 “Final D&C&E Exploitation Plan” as support to the final BioINSouth strategy. 3 Objectives and approach 3.1 Objectives of stakeholder mapping in BioINSouth It is well acknowledged that stakeholder engagement is one of the most important and challenging activity in promoting the benefits and concepts of bioeconomy, and several attempts have been made by the EU to provide comprehensive reports that outline the status of engagement strategies and propose measure to maximise interactions, with the most recent being the 2024 Report of DG RI “Enhancing Stakeholder Involvement in EU Bioeconomy Policy” 2 . DGRI identifies several challenges in bioeconomy stakeholder engagement such as: 1. Underrepresentation of certain groups Youth, NGOs, consumer and worker representatives, and the investment community are underrepresented in engagement initiatives, while there is a need to improve diversity in policy development. 2. Definitional complexity and communication issues 2 Report of DG RI “Enhancing Stakeholder Involvement in EU Bioeconomy Policy” (2024) [URL] D2.2 Multi-Actor stakeholders approach framework (M12) Page 15 of 77 Co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. under Grant Agreement No 101156363. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them. • Projects: Worldwide funded research projects to extract the detailed list of all the involved entities, as well as related public project results. Notably, the tool allows to search R&D projects funded by public bodies at European level (European Commission) starting from 2002 (corresponding to more than 1 million funded projects), at national level (Netherlands, UK, Germany, France, Finland, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland) and international level. • Patents: Over more than 420 million patent documents worldwide (from a variety of international patents databases including Europe, US, WIPO, Japan and China), containing information about inventions and technical developments from 1985 to today. • Market reports, websites and press releases: URLs crawled and indexed starting from user inputs, as well as all URLs indexed by the system; commercial information on private and public companies that include investments and financing information, founding members and leaders, acquisitions, news and industry trends. Figure 4 Main search page of the Wheesbee interface, showing the possibilities for project search, including the newly introduced section of “results”. PNO deployed the Wheesbee proprietary tool to selectively identify SHs according to the selected criteria discussed in the previous sections. The strategic use of Wheesbee will enable PNO to develop a comprehensive and meaningful stakeholder analysis tailored to the specific regional needs of the BioINSouth project. This is achieved by performing the following consecutive steps: 1) Definition of keywords by PNO in collaboration with the partners that provide a general overview of bioeconomy. 2) Refinement of keywords with the AI tool “Improve your query” that is included in the Wheesbee to get the most relevant information. 3) Grant scanning for bioeconomy related projects in a pan-EU level for the last 10 years, updated throughout the duration of T2.3. 4) Analysis of the results of the Wheesbee grant scanning to draw insights D2.2 Multi-Actor stakeholders approach framework (M12) Page 16 of 77 Co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. under Grant Agreement No 101156363. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them. 5) Compilation of the BioINSouth Global DB including all the projects and participants in .xlsx format, to be used by the partners for EU stakeholder identification The keywords selected by the consortium and the refinement performed by Wheesbee, are presented in Annex I: Definition of keywords and Wheesbee refinement. The BioINSouth Global Stakeholder DB was built upon this initial search, and the analysis of data are presented in Section 4.1. The scope of the desk research was to: 1. Provide an overview of the key stakeholders and actors in bioeconomy within the last 10 years within the EU, highlighting the most active participants and the innovation landscape and identify the trends within the sector, during the last 10 years. This objective is crucial for feeding to WP4 and WP7 for mapping the VCs and generate maximum visibility of the project, through high quality content. 2. Enrich the list of EU R&I projects with similar topics with BioINSouth, both in terms of prevalent VCs in South Europe, and in terms of connecting regions across EU. This action significantly enhanced the inclusivity and SH engagement beyond the partners; network. 3. Identify SHs that will be potentially: a. Interested to be further engaged in BioINSouth due to locality (creation of national/regional SH databases, see Section 4) b. Interested to participate actively in the BioINSouth Stakeholder Platform and provide insights and meaningful interactions (see Section 5) c. Form the basis along with the MARG members of an extended network of South European bioeconomy stakeholders, to serve as a critical mass for policy development. The grant scan and the resulting BioINSouth Global Stakeholder DB, includes Funded EU R&I projects, as well as national research projects from countries with official registries, and feedback from partners, starting from June 2014 to February 2025. A group of relevant keywords for the search have been selected to ensure the proper focus of the research and the inclusion of all projects relevant to the ultimate objectives of the analysis. This 10-year analysis provides important insights on the gradual inclusion of bioeconomy in funded schemes and topics, as well as the trend of funding amounts throughout the last 10 years. The methods and conditions for the deployment of Wheesbee, are described in Annex I: Definition of keywords and Wheesbee refinement. 3.3.2 Input from BioINSouth MARG/HUB coordinators A level of information on the SH mapping involves the input provided by the MARG/HUB coordinators (Andalusia – CTA, Asturias – ASINCAR, Campania – SPRING, Centro – P-BIO, Cyprus – FredU, NouvelleAquitaine – ASOI, Peloponnese – NKUA, Slovenia – ACIS) which is of uttermost importance concerning the regional aspects of BioINSouth, and the creation of the regional SH databases for the eight BioINSouth regions. CTA stands as a pivotal innovation cluster in Southern Europe, fostering robust international collaborations across academia, industry, and public authorities. Established in 2005, CTA has been D2.2 Multi-Actor stakeholders approach framework (M12) Page 17 of 77 Co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. under Grant Agreement No 101156363. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them. instrumental in advancing R&D initiatives, supporting over 690 projects with a cumulative budget exceeding €509 million, and engaging more than 1,000 public researchers in partnership with companies. CTA's international impact is underscored by its active participation in EU funded projects, and initiatives, while these extensive networks and strategic partnerships, CTA not only amplifies Andalusia's presence in the global innovation landscape but also contributes significantly to the advancement of the bioeconomy and sustainable development goals at the international level. ASINCAR, the Meat Industry Association of Asturias, has evolved into a dynamic agri-food cluster and technological center, significantly influencing the international bioeconomy landscape. With a membership comprising approximately 100 industrial entities—over 95% of which are SMEs—ASINCAR actively engages in European initiatives to foster innovation and sustainability in the agri-food sector. Internationally, ASINCAR plays a pivotal role in the BioINSouth project, collaborating with partners across Southern Europe to enhance bio-based sectors through environmental sustainability assessments. Its participation in the Vanguard Initiative's Bioeconomy Pilot underscores its commitment to smart specialisation and cross-regional collaboration. ASINCAR's contributions extend to strategic partnerships like EU4FOOD and AdPack, and its membership in the Food for Life technological platform highlights its dedication to advancing food innovation. SPRING, the Italian Circular Bioeconomy Cluster, has established itself as a central actor in advancing the bioeconomy both nationally and internationally. Founded in 2014, SPRING brings together over 130 members, including public and private research centers, SMEs, large companies, trade associations, regional clusters, consulting firms, and financial institutions. Its mission is to foster systemic growth based on the bioeconomy, promoting sustainable innovation and territorial development. Internationally, SPRING has forged numerous collaborations to enhance the global bioeconomy landscape. It has signed Memorandums of Understanding with various European and international clusters and entities, aiming to strengthen collaboration and synergies in sectors related to the circular bioeconomy, particularly focusing on biobased products and new industrial biotechnologies. SPRING is also a founding member of the European Bioeconomy Clusters' Alliance, a network launched in February 2025 that unites 14 clusters from 11 EU Member States. This alliance seeks to boost the growth of a circular and sustainable bioeconomy across Europe, positioning the EU as a leader in this sector. P-BIO, the Portuguese Bioindustry Association, serves as a cornerstone in Portugal's biotechnology and life sciences sector, fostering a conducive environment for the creation and growth of biotech startups and promoting their development both nationally and internationally. Since its inception in 1999, P-BIO has been instrumental in unifying and affirming the sector within Portugal, encompassing areas such as biopharmaceuticals, digital health, precision medicine, new therapies and diagnostics, synthetic biology, industrial biotechnology, agro-food biotechnology, and marine biotechnology. Internationally, P-BIO actively represents Portuguese biotechnology interests through its membership in EuropaBio and the International Council of Biotechnology Associations (ICBA), facilitating connections between Portuguese companies and global partners in government, investment, regulatory agencies, and other industryrelated institutions. FredU has emerged as a strategic player in the international sustainability and bioeconomy landscape through the active engagement of its Nature Conservation Unit (NCU) and Sustainable Energy Research Group (SERG). Both units demonstrate a strong commitment to transnational collaboration, contributing D2.2 Multi-Actor stakeholders approach framework (M12) Page 18 of 77 Co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. under Grant Agreement No 101156363. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them. to major European initiatives and acting as catalysts for knowledge transfer and policy influence. The NCU is widely recognised for its participation in high-impact EU-funded environmental projects and its close partnerships with key stakeholders across Europe in the fields of biodiversity protection, ecosystem services, and conservation policy. SERG, meanwhile, is actively engaged in pan-European research networks that address the twin transitions of decarbonisation and digitalisation in the energy sector. Through its leadership and participation in EU projects SERG maintains robust connections with academic, industry, and policymaking communities across Europe, positioning the university as a thought leader in sustainable energy and building performance. By leveraging these international networks, Frederick University extends its influence beyond academia, co-shaping sustainable development agendas and supporting evidence-based policymaking at European and regional levels. NKUA through its Research Centre Βιο3 plays a pivotal role in advancing Greece's bioeconomy landscape. With a robust academic foundation and extensive international experience, The group has been instrumental in integrating scientific research with practical applications in biotechnology and sustainable development. The establishment of the Research Institute for Biotechnology-Circular BioeconomySustainable Development underscores NKUA's commitment to fostering innovation and addressing regional challenges in Southern Europe. The university's active participation in events such as the "Promoting Bioeconomy in Greece" workshop further highlights its role in bridging knowledge gaps and fostering dialogue among key actors in the bioeconomy sector. Additionally, NKUA's organisation of the International Summer School on Circular Bioeconomy and Sustainable Development provides a platform for students and early-career scientists to engage with current trends and perspectives in the field. This initiative not only enhances stakeholder engagement but also contributes to the development of a dynamic ecosystem conducive to innovation and sustainable development. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia (CCIS) stands as a central pillar in advancing Slovenia's bioeconomy, particularly through its Association of Chemical Industries of Slovenia (ACIS). ACIS prioritises the bio-based economy, aligning it with circular economy principles and industrial symbiosis, recognising the chemical sector as a key driver in this transition. CCIS actively engages in several EUfunded initiatives to bolster stakeholder collaboration and regional bioeconomy development. Furthermore, CCIS plays a pivotal role in the Slovenian Bioeconomy Hub, a dynamic multistakeholder platform, that connects various stakeholders, including businesses, research centers, educational institutions, and public administrations, to accelerate the circular bioeconomy. It offers access to knowledge, international best practices, and supports innovative circular bio-based projects, fostering youth engagement through programs like Summer Schools and Hackathons ASOI is a prominent French competitiveness cluster ("pôle de compétitivité") dedicated to fostering innovation in the agri-food sector across southwestern France, particularly in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie regions. With a membership exceeding 400 entities, including SMEs, mid-cap companies, research centers, and institutions, ASOI serves as a nexus for collaboration between scientific and economic actors, aiming to integrate innovative technologies within the territory to gain a competitive advantage. ASOI's strategic partnerships extend to collaborations with organisations like Valorial and INRAE, aiming to mobilise resources in favor of innovation and support stakeholders in the agricultural and agri-food sectors across various French regions. Additionally, ASOI's collaboration with international companies, such as Kubota Innovation Center Europe, exemplifies its role in facilitating open innovation strategies and accelerating the development of future agricultural machinery. D2.2 Multi-Actor stakeholders approach framework (M12) Page 19 of 77 Co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. under Grant Agreement No 101156363. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them. 3.3.3 Input from the rest of BioINSouth consortium Apart from the MARG/HUB coordinating partners, complementary input is provided by the research performing partners UNINA, UNIMIB – Italy, and LEITAT-Spain. LEITAT Technological Center, based in Terrassa, Spain, is a prominent research and innovation entity with over a century of experience in applied R&D across various sectors, including biotechnology, circular economy, and sustainable production. The center actively engages in numerous EU-funded projects, such as C4B, and Waste4Soil, which focus on advancing bio-based value chains, environmental sustainability, and stakeholder collaboration. Through these initiatives, LEITAT facilitates multi-stakeholder engagement, connecting academia, industry, and policy actors to promote innovation and the adoption of sustainable practices in the bioeconomy sector. UNIMIB plays a crucial role in Italy's bioeconomy development, with a strong emphasis on fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers. The university is actively involved in numerous EU projects focused on sustainable practices and circular bioeconomy, facilitating stakeholder engagement across sectors. UNIMIB also supports the advancement of bioeconomy through its specialised education programs, such as the Bioeconomy in the Circular Economy (BIOCIRCE) Master's program, aimed at training professionals equipped with the skills to drive innovation and sustainability in the bioeconomy. These initiatives position UNIMIB as a key hub for knowledge transfer and stakeholder integration in the bioeconomy sector. UNINA is a cornerstone of Italy’s bioeconomy ecosystem, particularly in the Southern regions. UNINA contributes to the OECD Regional Peer Dialogue on Circular Bioeconomy, showcasing its role in supporting circular agriculture and bio-based production through initiatives like the Terra Next Accelerator and the Agritech Centre at the San Giovanni a Teduccio campus. Additionally, UNINA offers specialised education programs, such as the Master's in Industrial Chemistry for Circular and Bio Economy, equipping students with the expertise to drive sustainable practices in the bioeconomy sector. Special contribution in the SH mapping will be added by partners BIOEAST HUB CR and TUBITAK, as mature partner in the bioeconomy regional development, and potential replication region, respectively, in the stage of exploitation. BIOEAST HUB CR serves as a central facilitator for bioeconomy development in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in the Czech Republic. Established with support from the BIOEAST Initiative and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic, it is the first national BIOEAST HUB in the region. BIOEAST HUB CR actively engages a diverse range of stakeholders, including research organisations, universities, businesses, and non-governmental organisations, fostering collaboration to advance sustainable bioeconomy practices. It coordinates thematic working groups on areas such as freshwater-based bioeconomy and bioeconomy education, aligning with the European Green Deal and the European Bioeconomy Strategy. The Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency Research Group at TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center (MAM) is a pivotal entity in Turkey's transition towards a sustainable, circular economy. Operating within the Vice Presidency of Climate and Life Sciences, this group develops strategies aimed at reducing raw material consumption and mitigating environmental impact across various sectors. The group actively engages in national and international collaborations to promote resource efficiency and circular economy D2.2 Multi-Actor stakeholders approach framework (M12) Page 20 of 77 Co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. under Grant Agreement No 101156363. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them. practices. For instance, TÜBİTAK MAM co-hosted a high-level workshop with COMSATS, focusing on zerowaste initiatives and the transformation of waste streams into valuable resources. Discussions encompassed innovative approaches such as plant-based protein extraction from agricultural waste, pyrolysis for clean energy production, and advanced materials for methane recovery from biogas. Through these initiatives, TÜBİTAK MAM's research group contributes significantly to the advancement of circular economy principles, fostering sustainable development and resource efficiency in Turkey and beyond. 3.3.4 Harmonisation of results Effective stakeholder mapping and database creation are fundamental to the success of initiatives like BioINSouth, ensuring that all key actors are identified and engaged according to their specific regional context. However, the real value comes from harmonising the data collected across multiple stages of the process. Harmonisation ensures that stakeholders are accurately categorised, information remains consistent, and engagement strategies can be tailored to meet both EU-wide and region-specific needs. PNO is responsible for the harmonisation of results for the stakeholder mapping and the creation of databases as described in the previous sections. The importance of having harmonised final data sets lies in the: • Consistency Across Levels: Harmonising the database results ensures it reflects both the pan-EU landscape and the specific needs of individual regions. • Accurate Targeting: Harmonised data allows for precise, regionally targeted stakeholder engagement, which is crucial for effective collaboration and project alignment. • Informed Decision-Making: A harmonised approach enables partners to make data-driven decisions, leading to stronger, more efficient collaborations based on a consistent set of stakeholder insights. • Support for Long-Term Goals: The harmonised database provides a robust foundation for future activities by ensuring that comprehensive, region-specific stakeholder data is readily accessible and actionable. In addition, several practical aspects were taken into account: • Consistent availability of all necessary information • Elimination of redundancies and multiple registrations • Proper compilation of BioINSouth Regional Databases: o determination of locality through official regional postal codes o determination of SH groups based on the QH model • Comprehensive mapping that encompasses all relevant elements • Solid and accurate GDPR compliancy of all data collect (public data only to be used for generic contact) This curation is vital for driving the strategic aims of BioINSouth, facilitating seamless coordination between stakeholders, and ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of the bioeconomy initiatives within the project. D2.2 Multi-Actor stakeholders approach framework (M12) Page 21 of 77 Co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. under Grant Agreement No 101156363. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them. All activities for the harmonisation were performed exclusively by PNO, in Microsoft Excel environment with the contribution of Copilot and ChatGpt to generate respective pivot tables. Specific outputs available to the consortium are shown in the following table. Table 2 Project and stakeholder database outputs of BioINSouth Specific output Content Format BioINSouth Global Stakeholder Database Bioeconomy project scanning 2014-2024 .xlxs Linked and Sister Projects Database Closely related bioeconomy projects, including CBE JU .xlxs Spain Stakeholder Database Spanish stakeholder database with regional subclassification .xlxs Italy Stakeholder Database Italian stakeholder database with regional subclassification .xlxs Portugal Stakeholder Database Portuguese stakeholder database with regional sub-classification .xlxs Cyprus Stakeholder Database Cypriot stakeholder database .xlxs France Stakeholder Database French stakeholder database with regional subclassification .xlxs Greece Stakeholder Database Greek stakeholder database with regional subclassification .xlxs Slovenia Stakeholder Database Slovenian stakeholder database .xlxs The above Excel files contain all the public data available for each stakeholder (including website, country, description, and public email contact if available). They also allow for quick filtering of stakeholders according to their QH classification, expertise, specific participation in projects pointing to engagement reasons, and several fields, and of course regions. Due to this functional and efficient setup, the databases will serve as key operational tools for all MAA activities implemented in the project and scanning of potential replication regions. Additionally, regional outputs for Türkiye and the Marmara district as a replication region, will be explored through D7.4 and D7.5, concerning the replication and exploitation of the BioINSouth methodology. Sample pages of all databases can be found in Annexes 7.2 and 7.3 All the databases generated through the stakeholder mapping and analysis, will be available to the BioINSouth consortium as Microsoft Excel files, that can be updated and enriched from the relevant partners with their own input, throughout the duration of the project. Basic functionalities and potential of the databases (how to update, how to search, how to categorise, how to add fields, pivot tables, etc) will be presented and elaborated through the 1st exploitation co-creation workshop organised by PNO. 4 BioINSouth databases and analysis 4.1 Global BioINSouth Stakeholder Database In the first and pivotal stage of the stakeholder mapping, a grant scan was performed in order to determine in a pan-EU level the status of funding in bioeconomy and BioINISouth-related VCs, in the last 10 years (June 2014-February 2025). In the database were incorporated also the nationally funded projects of Spain, Portugal and Italy, where national inventories exist. D2.2 Multi-Actor stakeholders approach framework (M12) Page 22 of 77 Co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. under Grant Agreement No 101156363. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them. Figure 5 Bioeconomy related projects for the period June 2014 – February 2025, for EU, Spain, Portugal and Italy as funding countries. EU is considered as a single funding country A total of 12,745 projects were identified as generally relevant to the BioINSouth VCs, territories and objectives, with a start date after 1/6/2014. Among them, 11,399 were funded from the EU under the HORIZON 2020, Horizon, Interreg and LIFE Work Programmes, while 2,828 of them are currently active. It is observed that since 2015 there is a decline in EU funding for bioeconomy related projects, that coincides with the general EU funding trend and the drop in resources. Figure 6 EU project trends according to number (left) and EU funding for the years 2015-2024. It is interesting to note that during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020-2021) the amount of funding for bioeconomy projects was kept relatively stable, nevertheless the number of projects rapidly declined. This period coincided with the transition from Horizon 2020 programme to Horizon Europe and potentially showed the insufficient coverage of bioeconomy research from applicants, while the EU funding for the bioeconomy discipline was kept intact between the two work programmes. In addition, we observe a drop in the project trend in 2018, which was the year that the EU published the updated Bioeconomy Strategy, outlining new objectives and actions to be launched from 2019, and preparing the ground for the new work programme Horizon Europe. The interim period may have resulted D2.2 Multi-Actor stakeholders approach framework (M12) Page 23 of 77 Co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. under Grant Agreement No 101156363. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them. in a temporary slowdown in project approvals and funding allocations as the new strategy's implementation was being prepared. Moreover 2018–2020 Horizon 2020 Work Programme, the EU concentrated funding on fewer topics with larger budgets, aligning with political priorities such as climate resilience, clean energy, and digitisation. While the circular economy received significant attention with dedicated calls and topics, the bioeconomy was integrated into broader themes, potentially leading to a perceived reduction in dedicated bioeconomy funding. The Global BioINSouth Stakeholder Database has a high importance in view of the transition of bioeconomy responsibilities from DG Research & Innovation (DG RTD) to DG Environment (DG ENV). Although the date for the formal transfer has not been announced, DG ENV has launched in March 2025 a public consultation for the forthcoming EU Bioeconomy Strategy, scheduled for adoption by late 2025. 4 This shift mirrors a broader strategic realignment emphasising to the assimilation of environmental initiatives dealing with environmental objectives, to sustainability and environmental impact criteria. Bioeconomy is more likely to be shifted more towards circularity, with the risk of reducing the innovation potential and funding especially in bio-based chemicals, materials, and advanced biorefineries, etc, unless tied to solid positive environmental outcomes. As a result, a change in the landscape of stakeholders, and especially the important subcategory of actors is foreseen, while industrial SH may need to position themselves close to environmental goals, while the role of civil society is enhanced. This is an aspect that makes the large BioINSouth Global Stakeholder Database a useful tool, to monitor the foundational changes to stem from this transition. The analysis of top players in the above project, it was found that for both closed and active projects, the dominant stakeholder is Fraunhoffer (Germany) in the first position, with a total of 571 projects, followed by CSIC (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas – Spain) with 543 projects, and CNR (Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche – Italy) with 518 projects. In addition, CERTH (Centre for Research & Technology Hellas – Greece) has a stable presence in the top 10 with 327 projects, while France with INRAE enters the top 10 with 91 projects currently active. 4 Public consultation for the forthcoming EU Bioeconomy strategy [URL] D2.2 Multi-Actor stakeholders approach framework (M12) Page 24 of 77 Co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. under Grant Agreement No 101156363. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them. Figure 7 Top players in bioeconomy related EU funded projects per number of projects 2015-2024. Up: closed projects (total: 8,568). Down: active projects (total: 2,828). As far as the scientific disciplines are concerned, and focusing only in the 2,828 active EU projects, as anticipated the top scientific discipline is natural sciences (>1800 projects). It is important to mention that disciplines related to economics and business, social sciences, civil priorities, business and management, sociology, business models, political sciences, political policies, civil society, public health, have a medium presence in ongoing projects, while gender studies are extremely underrepresented in bioeconomy with only 10 related projects out of 2,828 ongoing projects. D2.2 Multi-Actor stakeholders approach framework (M12) Page 31 of 77 Co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. under Grant Agreement No 101156363. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them. 4.3.1 Andalusia and Asturias (Spain) In Spain, a total of 1631 organisations were identified as relative to the bioeconomy sector, and their distribution in the 17 Autonomous Communities is shown in Table 4. In the top 5 positions are Catalonia, Madrid, Valencia, and the Basque country. Andalusia in the 6th position, with 153 organisations identified, presents a promising region in the field of bioeconomy. On the other hand, Asturias, with 54 identified stakeholders, represent a developing region. The presence of active organisations in each region, must be interpreted along with the specificities of the region, for example the presence of universities and research organisations, the population, the geographical features, the existence of regional bioeconomy framework, etc. The distribution of organisations according to the QH model (academia, industry, civil society, government), is similar in both Asturias and Andalusia, with the industrial sector representing the largest group, followed by academia (higher or secondary education and research organisations). Figure 12 Organisations in Asturias and Andalusia autonomous communities, categorised according to the quadruple helix model 4.3.2 Centro (Portugal) The region Centro of Portugal, is one of the statistical regions of Portugal. The districts with major administrative status inside this region are Coimbra, Aveiro, Viseu, Leiria, Castelo Branco, and Guarda, Centro is one of the seven Regions of Portugal (NUTS II subdivisions). It is also one of the regions of Europe, as given by the European Union for statistical and geographical purposes. Its area totals 28,462 Table 4 Distribution of Spanish bioeconomy stakeholders among the 17 autonomous communities. (organisations with insufficient data were not included) D2.2 Multi-Actor stakeholders approach framework (M12) Page 32 of 77 Co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. under Grant Agreement No 101156363. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them. km2. As of 2011, its population totalled 2,327,026 inhabitants. In Portugal, 922 organisations were identified as related to bioeconomy, and their distribution in the districts is presented in the table. As anticipated, Porto and Lisbon are the top two districts with large representation, followed by Braganca and Coimbra. Specifically for the Centro region, comprising Coimbra, Aveiro, Viseu, Leiria, Castelo Branco, and Guarda, it has a strong presence with Coimbra taking the lead. The distribution of organisations according to the QH model (academia, industry, civil society, government) in Centro present similarities with Spain, with the industrial sector representing the largest group, followed by academia (higher or secondary education and research organisations), and civil society. Especially the civil society seems more active in Centro region, showing a mobilisation of policy makers in the last years. As expected, the most active organisations come from academia and are the Universities of Aveiro and Coimbra, while in the industrial/corporate sector the C&D company Globaz appears to have increased activity in the education concerning bioeconomy, and the Portugese industrial biotechnology company Biotrend, specialising in the research, development and scale-up of bioprocesses, with a strong focus on industrial and marine biotechnology: Collectively, the region is strongly directed in marine resources and aquaculture, as well as textiles and biopolymers. Figure 13 Organisations in Centro region categorised according to the quadruple helix model 4.3.3 Campania (Italy) In Italy, a total of 1495 organisations were identified, with broader interests in bioeconomy value chains. As seen in the table, most of the activity is concentrated in the regions of Emilia-Romagna, Lazio, Table 5 Distribution of Portuguese bioeconomy stakeholders among the districts (organisations with insufficient data were not included) D2.2 Multi-Actor stakeholders approach framework (M12) Page 33 of 77 Co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. under Grant Agreement No 101156363. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them. Lombardy, Piedmont, Tuscany and Veneto. This is partially explained by the economic and industrial strength of these regions (they have a high GDP per capita), their high population, the specialised cluster infrastructure and innovation hubs, and the policy for rural development, that is closely related to bioeconomy. In Campania, 75 bioeconomy related organisations are identified, and the landscape is characterised from the strong presence of the academic sector, increased participation of industry, and decreased involvement of civil society and government. This is a particular challenge for Campania, the involvement of local administration and civil society, that BioINSouth aims to address. Campania is academically strong in absolute terms, boasting one of Italy’s foremost universities (UNINA), a broad research base and substantial output, but it still lags the very top regions when measured on per‑capita funding, international rankings and graduate retention. Campania benefits from the strong industry/academia collaboration, nevertheless the universities and research units excel in the disciplines of life sciences, engineering, and humanities, leaving the bioeconomy exclusive studies lagging behind. Nevertheless, Campania is the leading Southern region for bio-based and green‑tech companies, with the number of employees in the green economy growing by over 6% in recent years 5 . Between 2015 and 2020, the number of biotech firms in Campania jumped by 69% (to 59 companies), representing 36.9% of all Southern-Italian biotech players and 7.5% of the national total. 6 Currently, Campania’s economic backbone is services (mainly tourism-related), followed by the agrifood and pharmaceutical sector. 5 investincampania.regione.campania.it. 6 Innovation, the growth of Campania in Ambrosetti's position paper - Europe Campania Table 6 Distribution of Italian bioeconomy stakeholders among the regions (organisations with insufficient data were not included) D2.2 Multi-Actor stakeholders approach framework (M12) Page 34 of 77 Co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. under Grant Agreement No 101156363. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them. Figure 14 Organisations in Campania region categorised according to the quadruple helix model 4.3.4 Nouvelle-Aquitaine (France) In France, a total of 2356 organisations related to bioeconomy, were identified. A large number of them, were not sufficiently characterised for their locality, due to insufficient name and locality data. From the 1569 stakeholders with sufficient data, it is observed that the majority is concentrated in the region of Ile-de-France (557), followed by Rhone-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur. Due to the sise of France, there is large variability among the prevalent value chains. For the region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 85 organisations were identified as related to bioeconomy. The top-5 positions are research related. As seen in the figure below, Nouvelle-Aquitaine is the only from the BioINSouth regions that academia dominates the stakeholders, followed by industry. This correlation is very interesting, since NouvelleAquitaine is one of the most mature bioeconomy ecosystems in Europe, fostering agriculture, forestry, and marine and coastal activities. The Nova Terra Roadmap updated in 2023, sets out six ambitions—preserving natural resources, circularity, agroecology, renewable energies, sustainable mobility and bio-based industry—to 2030, and provides a solid policy support framework for advancing bioeconomy further. Table 7 Distribution of French bioeconomy stakeholders among the regions (organisations with insufficient data were not included) D2.2 Multi-Actor stakeholders approach framework (M12) Page 35 of 77 Co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. under Grant Agreement No 101156363. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them. Figure 15 Organisations in Nouvelle-Aquitaine region categorised according to the quadruple helix model 4.3.5 Peloponnese (Greece) In Greece, a total of 1164 bioeconomy related stakeholders were identified, concentrated as seen in the table in regions with dense population, such as Attica that includes the capital of Athens, and Aegean Islands and Eastern Macedonia, comprising the metropolitan region of Thessaloniki, the 2nd largest city of Greece. The regions in which the stakeholders were classified, follow the Greek postal code system, that is not directly correlated with administrative regions. The Peloponnese is a name used for both an administrative region, and a geographical region, which in our classification appears along with the Ionian Islands. In Peloponnese and the Ionian Islands, a total of 65 bioeconomy oriented stakeholders were identified, distributed among the categories of the quadruple helix, as shown in the figure below. Two companies appear to be active in funded projects and bioeconomy value chains, namely Rezos (agriculture) and Bioassist (software solutions) both of them based in the wider region of Patras, in proximity with the University of Patras, suggesting a spill over effect from academia towards industry. In the Peloponnese, the primary sector, and in particular agriculture, remains the dominant engine of regional income, and specifically olive oil production, and diversified crops (citrus and oranges, grapes) and livestock (sheep and goats). Table 8 Distribution of Greek bioeconomy stakeholders among the greater regions (organisations with insufficient data were not included) D2.2 Multi-Actor stakeholders approach framework (M12) Page 36 of 77 Co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. under Grant Agreement No 101156363. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them. Figure 16 Organisations in Peloponnese and Ionian Islands region categorised according to the quadruple helix model 4.3.6 Cyprus Due to its small sise, Cyprus is included in the BioINsouth regions in its entirety. 129 bioeconomy related stakeholders were identified in Cyprus, distributed among the QH categories, as shown in the figure below. An interesting observation is that Cyprus has an active presence of the government, showing an increased interest in the transition to bioeconomy. As, expected, universities and research institutes, have a strong presence in funded research projects, whereas the company eBOS technology (software solutions) has a high participation from the industrial/corporate sector. Figure 17 Organisations in Cyprus categorised according to the quadruple helix model 4.3.7 Slovenia In Slovenia, 198 bioeconomy related organisations were identified in total. It is observed the increased representation of the government in funded projects, a fact that points to increased mobilisation in terms of policy development and will to implement bioeconomy practices. D2.2 Multi-Actor stakeholders approach framework (M12) Page 37 of 77 Co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. under Grant Agreement No 101156363. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them. Figure 18 Organisations in Slovenia categorised according to the quadruple helix model Among the most active organisations are the university of Ljubljana, the "Jožef Stefan" institute, and the National Institute of Chemistry. Slovenia’s bioeconomy is at a formative but rapidly developing stage. While the country boasts abundant biological resources and strong research capacity, its full economic potential remains under‑exploited. It is important to notice that the economy of Slovenia relies mainly in services, and much less in industry, and agriculture. 5 The BioINSouth Stakeholder Platform 5.1 Introduction Across Southern Europe, the bioeconomy is characterised by diverse landscapes, fragmented value chains and a wide range of stakeholders—from family farms and artisanal producers to research institutes, policy makers and emerging biotechnology ventures. A dedicated stakeholder platform is essential to weave these actors into a coherent community capable of accelerating innovation, sharing best practices and aligning regional priorities. First, resource flows in the Mediterranean bioeconomy often cross borders: biomass produced in one region may be processed in another, while research breakthroughs in marine biotechnology can benefit agrifood clusters elsewhere. Without a common digital forum, opportunities for collaboration are frequently overlooked, and critical knowledge remains siloed. A stakeholder platform overcomes these barriers by providing a single entry point where project calls, technical guidelines and success stories are published in real time. Second, policy frameworks and funding instruments—whether under national recovery plans or EU Smart Specialisation Strategies—require timely input from a broad spectrum of participants. Farmers, SMEs and NGOs must be consulted on practical constraints and emerging needs, while researchers and regional authorities need rapid feedback on the impact of policy measures. By centralising surveys, working‑group discussions and feedback channels, a stakeholder platform ensures that programmes are co‑designed with the very actors they aim to support. Finally, capacity building and community learning depend on accessible, tailored content. Workshops, webinars and case‑study repositories become far more effective when promoted through a unified portal. D2.2 Multi-Actor stakeholders approach framework (M12) Page 38 of 77 Co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. under Grant Agreement No 101156363. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them. Stakeholders can subscribe to topic‑specific updates—such as circular‑agriculture techniques, marine‑biotech advances or biowaste valorisation—ensuring that each participant receives the precise information they need to innovate and compete. In summary, a Southern Europe bioeconomy stakeholder platform is not merely a communication tool but the backbone of an integrated ecosystem. It bridges geographical and disciplinary divides, fosters co‑creation of policy and practice, and accelerates the transfer of knowledge—ultimately strengthening the region’s capacity to build a sustainable, competitive bioeconomy. 5.2 The BioINSouth stakeholder platform environment The BioINSouth Stakeholder Platform has been established as a central hub for the Southern Mediterranean bioeconomy community. Upon registration, users will be connected with agrifood producers, researchers, policymakers and entrepreneurs from Greece, Italy, Spain, Cyprus and beyond. Tailored newsletters, event invitations and calls for proposals will be received, covering topics such as circular agriculture, agro‑industry valorisation, marine biotechnology and biowaste management. Exclusive resources—policy briefs, technical reports and best‑practice case studies prepared by BioINSouth experts—will be made available for download. Participation in online surveys, working groups and co‑creation workshops will be invited, ensuring that stakeholder feedback is incorporated into pilot demonstrations and regional roadmaps under the EU’s Smart Specialisation Strategies. To initiate access, the BioINSouth website should be visited and the “Sign-up” button selected. A brief profile—detailing role, organisation and areas of interest—will be completed, and email confirmation will be required. Upon confirmation, the platform dashboard will be unlocked. Figure 19 Home page of the BioINSouth website, and buttons for signing up and login to the BioINSouth Stakeholder Platform. D2.2 Multi-Actor stakeholders approach framework (M12) Page 39 of 77 Co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. under Grant Agreement No 101156363. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them. Figure 20 Welcome pop-up of the BioINSouth Stakeholder Platform, and fields to be completed Figure 21 The options for defining the organisation type. We aimed for the specific categories, in order to have insights on the interests of the organisation, and the type of content that may be interested in. D2.2 Multi-Actor stakeholders approach framework (M12) Page 40 of 77 Co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. under Grant Agreement No 101156363. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them. Figure 22 The options for defining the areas of interest for the stakeholders registering, according to the prevalent stakeholder categories and value chains Upon registration to the platform, where the user can choose whether to be included in the newsletter as well, a confirmation e-mail will be sent, with a link that should be followed to continue registration. Figure 23 Confirmation e-mail for activation of the BioINSouth platform account