ScanBalt bioeconomy working group will provide a platform for the exchange of experience and knowledge

Participants from all over the Baltic Sea Region joined the ScanBalt Bioeconomy Working Group Kick-off event on 21 October 2020 online. The event was organized in close cooperation with the BioBIGG project consortium.

Current and future funding opportunities related to bioeconomy were presented as well as the general services of the ScanBalt Network. There was consensus that the ScanBalt bioeconomy working group should not duplicate or repeat already existing initiatives. Thus, the next important step is the definition of objectives more precisely, focusing on the creation of added value for all partners. First suggestions were given at the kick-off event, where Mentimeter was used as a tool for collecting input of the participants. A tendency, including the results of the survey, spread among ScanBalt members, showed three main areas of interest:

• circular economy (including use and management of waste)
• innovative plant-based food (including crops) and
• using biologic resources for pharma and medical applications.

The working group will provide a platform for the exchange of experience and knowledge, build up project partnerships and match research and entrepreneurship to develop new bioeconomic products in a cross-border approach. Last but not least, the working group intends to influence and shape the political strategies, the regulatory framework and the funding programs at BSR and European level.

It became obvious that legal and regulatory frameworks related to bioeconomy in the Baltic Sea Area will play a crucial role in implementing scientific ideas into products and services. Interestingly, there is often a different view on this topic between entrepreneurs and political/administrative stakeholders. While the start-ups and SMEs perceive strong obstacles, the responsible authorities perceive the regulatory framework to be appropriate to the needs. In this respect, the working group will also focus on bringing together the different actors and views in order to achieve results that are goal-oriented for all sides.

The working group is planning to cooperate closely with networks and initiatives in the field of bioeconomy as well as strategic partners such as the BSR Bioeconomy Council and the Steering Group Members of Policy Area Bioeconomy.

Broad and transnational stakeholder management will be needed to spread efforts and necessities and to develop a unique profile of ScanBalts´ bioeconomy WG.

The next meeting will take place online still this year. This will be a good occasion for ScanBalt members committed to bioeconomy to help to shape the working group at an early stage of development.

You’ll find further information on our webpage very soon (https://scanbalt.org/bioeconomy/)

For any questions please contact Gudrun Mernitz () or Christian Theel ().