A Milestone Event in Brussels

On May 13–14, the European Rural Circular Bioeconomy Conference (EuRCBC) brought together key actors shaping sustainable rural development across Europe. Held at Comet Louise in Brussels, the event was co-organised by six Horizon Europe projects – including White Research’s (WR) flagship initiatives ROBIN and MainstreamBIO – in collaboration with SCALE-UP, BioRural, BIOMODEL4REGIONS, and RuralBioUP. Together, these projects form the Rural Bioeconomy Alliance (RBA), and the EuRCBC marked the official launch of this coalition. WR helped shape the RBA and organize the conference, showing its strong commitment to working together for meaningful rural change.

Engaging a Broad European Community

With over 180 participants attending both in person and online – including farmers, policymakers, local communities, and industry representatives – the EuRCBC served as a vibrant space for dialogue, collaboration, and learning. Structured over two days, the event created a platform for knowledge exchange, showcasing the diverse realities and shared ambitions of stakeholders working toward a resilient rural bioeconomy.

Setting the Strategic Agenda

To begin with, the conference opened with two prominent keynote speakers who addressed the current and future directions of the EU bioeconomy. First, Michael Losch, Principal Administrator at DG AGRI (European Commission), offered a forward-looking analysis of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, focusing on its role in sustainable policymaking. Next, he was followed by Marco Rupp, Deputy Executive Director of the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) and a member of ROBIN’s Advisory Board, who explored the evolving landscape of business and investment opportunities in the bioeconomy sector.

 

 

Day One: Panel Discussions focused on Insights, Tools, and Success Stories from Across Europe

The heart of the EuRCBC was a series of three expert-led panel discussions that brought diverse voices and practical insights to the forefront of the rural bioeconomy conversation.

The first panel, “Diverse Perspectives on Bioeconomy”, addressed the importance of inclusivity, trust, and long-term stakeholder engagement. Panellists emphasised the need to empower underrepresented groups, especially women and young people, and stressed that farmers must be recognised as active partners, not passive recipients. The discussion underscored that a resilient, sustainable bioeconomy depends on building trust and ensuring clear, consistent communication across all levels.

The second panel, “Tools for Advancing the EU’s Bioeconomy”, featured contributions from the ROBIN, MainstreamBIO, SCALE-UP, and BioRural projects. This session showcased user-friendly toolkits, decision-support systems, and stakeholder platforms designed to support local implementation. Common challenges were also identified: tools must be accessible in multiple languages, adaptable to regional contexts, and maintained beyond the lifespan of individual projects. Speakers agreed that real-world testing, community ownership, and cross-project integration are essential for long-term success.

The third and final panel, “Inspiring Change Through Success Stories”, shared impactful examples from regional initiatives successfully implementing bio-based solutions. These stories illustrated the transformative power of community-led innovation, practical tools, and collaborative strategies. Speakers highlighted the importance of tailoring programs to local needs, combining technical support with skills development, and ensuring that solutions are embedded within communities. The panel closed with a strong message: authentic impact comes from listening to the regions and co-creating solutions with them.

Together, these panels demonstrated that Europe’s rural bioeconomy is not just a policy goal, but it is a lived, evolving process driven by people, tools, and partnerships on the ground.

Memorandum of Collaboration Signed

The first day concluded with a significant milestone: the signing of the Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) by ROBIN regions – Andalusia, Žilina, Central Macedonia, the Southern Regional Assembly, and Baden-Württemberg. This marks a new chapter of cross-border cooperation and a united commitment to advancing the rural circular bioeconomy through shared strategies, tools, and vision.

 

Day Two: Spotlight on Tools, Policy, and Collaboration

The second day of the EuRCBC was dedicated to showcasing the hands-on contributions of White Research’s key projects, ROBIN and MainstreamBIO, both of which led sessions designed to turn ideas into actionable pathways for rural innovation.

ROBIN hosted a practical Train-the-Trainer workshop titled “Scaling the Bioeconomy Through ROBIN’s Toolbox, Policies, and Strategies”. The session introduced participants to the project’s core tools and regional implementation approaches, offering guidance on how local actors can adopt and adapt these resources to scale up bioeconomy efforts in their own territories. Through interactive discussions and real-use cases, the workshop demonstrated how tools can empower regions to drive transformation from within.

In parallel, MainstreamBIO implemented a Policy Round Table titled “Implementation of Small-Scale Bio-Based Solutions Across Rural Europe”. The discussion brought together policymakers and practitioners to explore how bio-based innovations can be integrated into broader rural strategies. Key themes included removing regulatory barriers, supporting decentralised innovation, and better aligning local solutions with national and EU-level policy frameworks.

Earlier that morning, a joint session between RuralBioUp, MainstreamBIO, and SCALE-UP presented shared policy insights and early findings, reinforcing the value of inter-project learning and collaboration. These exchanges highlighted how aligned efforts can help avoid duplication, harmonise tools, and maximise the reach and sustainability of project results.