BBioNets Driving EU Bioeconomy Policy: From National Evidence to High-Level Strategy and Capacity Building

BBioNets Driving EU Bioeconomy Policy: From National Evidence to High-Level Strategy and Capacity Building

(IN BRIEF) BBioNets is advancing EU bioeconomy policy by connecting national-level findings from Ireland, Greece, Poland, the Czech Republic, Spain and Italy with broader European policy discussions. In May 2026, the project helped organise a Brussels “Policy Lab” with six other bioeconomy-related initiatives to turn regional evidence and technical insights into practical recommendations for the new European Bioeconomy Strategy. The project is now moving from policy dialogue to implementation, with a 16 June 2026 webinar focused on improving the use of Bio-Based Technology Operational Groups across Europe. A new Strategic Support Tool will also be introduced to help national and regional authorities strengthen capacity building, share good practices and support the wider adoption of bio-based technologies in agriculture and forestry.

(PRESS RELEASE) Thessaloniki, GREECE, 2-Jun-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — The EU-funded BBioNets project is spearheading a synchronised effort to reshape European rural policy and accelerate circular bioeconomy innovation, moving seamlessly from grassroots mobilisation to high-level European strategy.

In the first half of 2026, BBioNets conducted targeted national policy events across its six partner countries (Ireland, Greece, Poland, Czech Republic, Spain, and Italy). The valuable findings from these regional workshops directly paved the way for a major EU-level policy event in Brussels on 27 May 2026. To bring this event to life, BBioNets leveraged its Standing Liaison Round Table (SLRT) initiative which brings together 20 bioeconomy-related projects. As the initiator, BBioNets coordinated with the network, leading to six fellow SLRT projects joining forces to co-organise the event and present their collective policy findings.

Operating as a dynamic “Policy Lab,” this joint effort united BBioNets, Soil-X-Change, AQUAGRI-KNOW, BRILIAN, C4B, Rural BioReFarmeries, and SOUL. The collaborative gathering focused on translating technical data and regional realities into concrete policy recommendations aligned with the new European Bioeconomy Strategy. Key discussions centred on synthesising multi-project evidence on sustainable resource management, fostering direct dialogue between local practitioners and EU decision-makers, and navigating complex EU regulations to analyse their direct impact on bioeconomy stakeholders and future growth.

Following an institutional keynote from the EU CAP Network Support Facility, the event featured parallel working groups focused on natural resource management and regulatory frameworks. The day concluded with a Multi-Actor Roundtable where participants debated these findings, with the finalised recommendations to be published in the coming weeks.

As a direct continuation of this momentum, BBioNets is shifting its focus to practical, on-the-ground implementation, building upon the extensive knowledge transfer activities carried out by project partners in their respective countries over the past year. This practical push centres on a dedicated capacity-building webinar scheduled for 16 June 2026 at 10:30 CET, which directly addresses why Bio-Based Technology (BBT) Operational Groups (OGs) remain underutilised across Europe. To equip National CAP Networks and Managing Authorities for their evolving roles under the post-2027 CAP framework, the project carried out a targeted survey across its six partner countries to map regional needs, systemic bottlenecks, and successful national support mechanisms.

Survey insights will anchor the webinar and drive the introduction of a brand-new Strategic Support Tool for Capacity Building. Designed to complement existing EU CAP Network structures, this tool will help national and regional administrations align practical solutions with the OG creation lifecycle, share peer-tested good practices, and streamline coordination under evolving policy priorities.

To explore the detailed articles on these initiatives or to secure your spot for the upcoming webinar, visit the project website via the links below:

• Read the full article on the Policy Lab event: Co-Creating Policy Recommendations for a Rural Bioeconomy – Full Article
• Read the full webinar announcement and register: Building Better Operational Groups Webinar – Full Article & Registration

Project contact details:

Carmen Girón Domínguez, Project coordinator, Munster Technological University, E.: Carmen.Dominguez@mtu.ie

Dafni Delioglani, Dissemination & Communication manager, FOCUS Strategic Thinking Consultants, E.: dafni.delioglani@focus-stc.gr

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FAQs on BBioNets press announcement:

What is the BBioNets project focused on?
BBioNets supports the wider adoption of bio-based technologies in agriculture and forestry by building regional networks, sharing practical knowledge, and helping strengthen circular bioeconomy value chains across Europe.

Which countries are involved in BBioNets’ national policy work?
The project has carried out national policy activities in Ireland, Greece, Poland, the Czech Republic, Spain and Italy.

What was the purpose of the Brussels Policy Lab event?
The Brussels event brought together BBioNets and six related bioeconomy projects to translate national and regional evidence into practical policy recommendations aligned with the new European Bioeconomy Strategy.

Which projects joined BBioNets in the Policy Lab?
The joint Policy Lab involved BBioNets, Soil-X-Change, AQUAGRI-KNOW, BRILIAN, C4B, Rural BioReFarmeries and SOUL.

What topics were discussed during the event?
Discussions focused on sustainable resource management, regulatory frameworks, dialogue between local practitioners and EU decision-makers, and the practical challenges facing bioeconomy stakeholders.

What is the next major BBioNets activity?
BBioNets will hold a capacity-building webinar on 16 June 2026, focusing on why Bio-Based Technology Operational Groups remain underused across Europe and how national and regional authorities can better support them.

What is the Strategic Support Tool for Capacity Building?
It is a new tool designed to help National CAP Networks, Managing Authorities and regional administrations align support measures with the creation and development of Operational Groups, share good practices and improve coordination.

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Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

SOURCE: BBioNets