The EU-funded SCALE-UP project will support regional multi-actor partnerships to fully exploit their bio-economy potential.

An innovative, circular and resource-efficient bioeconomy can offer social and economic opportunities to entrepreneurs in rural areas while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The transition towards sustainable, regenerative, inclusive and just regional bioeconomies requires a comprehensive and functional framework that links bio-based solutions to rural development goals and principles of sustainable development, enabling rural communities to identify, compare and implement alternative bio-based development pathways.

The SCALE-UP (upcoming website: www.scaleup-bioeconomy.eu) project facilitates knowledge exchange and capacity building for sustainable rural development by assisting regional stakeholders (farmers, companies, associations, entrepreneurs, researchers and public administration) in identifying and developing innovative bioeconomy-based business models.

In six European pilot regions (Northern Sweden, Mazovia, Pays de la Loire, Upper Austria, Strumica and Andalusia), the SCALE-UP project will implement various activities to help regional stakeholders in utilizing the bioeconomy’s potential. These regions have the potential to develop the bioeconomy based on the abundant available and sustainable biomass resources.

The project will implement a business development program aimed at entrepreneurs, with a focus on the concepts of co-creation, transparency, and open innovation, with the aim of providing them guidelines to assess market conditions, develop business plans, and identify funding sources for 12 bio-based solutions.

At least 75 regional stakeholders will take part in project activities such as workshops, training courses and regional knowledge exchange platforms. Additionally, the project will organize at least six ‘bio’ competitions with participation from at least 600 secondary school students to increase general awareness of the bioeconomy and youth access to relevant industries.

The SCALE-UP consortium consists of nine European entities from Spain, Germany, France, Poland, Croatia, the Netherlands, Austria and Sweden with profound expertise in bioeconomy.

Contact

Chuan Ma – WIP Renewable Energies

Upcoming website: www.scaleup-bioeconomy.eu