BIOEASTWIDE · Strengthening of the BIOEAST bioeconomy R&I ecosystem through WIDEning activities and building a partnership for bioeconomy (BIOEASTWIDE)

The BIOEASTWIDE project aims to leverage from existing structures and project experiences in order to outline a strategy that strengthens the ERA by advancing the bioeconomy R&I ecosystem across CEE countries called the BIOEASTWIDE partnership. The BIOEASTWIDE partnership will drive this effort through a pan-European cooperation, by building a structured bioeconomy network enabling the shaping of future regional and national dedicated R&I, and their connection to national agendas and industrial investments targeting the BIOEAST macro-region, including Western Balkan countries, Ukraine, and Moldova, to establish sustainable, long-term collaboration that enhances ERA integration and impact. This will be achieved by analysing and addressing the policy-related, socio-economic, technological and financial shortcomings that block coherence among these factors, proposing cross-sectorial solutions that promote collaboration, builds capacities of various bioeconomy actors and exchange of knowledge across borders. Foundations will be laid through mapping R&I ecosystems and joint development of the partnership’s roadmap and scope detailing major time-bound milestones, shared ambitions, implementation, expected impact and governance mechanisms by engaging bioeconomy stakeholders across BIOEASTWIDE countries. A cooperation strategy with widening countries will complement the efforts to define the pathways toward their structured engagement with the help of a newly established Widening Group. The project will mobilise research organisations, ministries, industries, technological experts and societal actors by implementing comprehensive capacity building activities including national and cross-border knowledge exchange events and trainings through the HUBs and TWGs. In addition, national funding agencies will underpin the work to improve research funding management skills and competences across BIOEASTWIDE that are necessary for a long-term partnership to be successful.