The EurRural Bioeconomy Network is born

AVEBIOM and the Greek technology center CERTH are the entities in charge of proposing the expansion and establishment strategy of this network, which is promoted through the Biorural project, involving 19 multidisciplinary entities from 14 countries and endowed with a budget of 3 million eurfinanced by the EurUnion.

The network will identify innovative businesses based on their technology, value proposition, or the product obtained, in five areas: agriculture and food; ecosystems and forest resources; aquaculture, fishing, and algae production; bioenergy generation and production of bio-based materials (platform chemicals, high value-added components, or new products).

The network aims to provide new value without replicating existing structures, by showcasing and sharing new ideas and proposals . Its ultimate goal is to inspire key entities involved in knowledge transfer to the agri-food, forestry, and industrial sectors : consultants, universities, technicians from agricultural associations and cooperatives, and new entities that have emerged within the framework of the 2023–2027 CAP, such as the National CAP Network or the AKIS agricultural advisors platform (national agri-food innovation system).

The network already has eight innovative practices that are being documented ; among them, the gasification of olive pomace for energy self-sufficiency in olive mills; the implementation of a welfare certificate in aquaculture; or the production of drinking straws from cereal straw.

Biorural compiles innovative practices and shares its keys for effective replication with written material, videos and other resources on the web https://biorural.eu/ and also through workshops, support actions, technical visits and collaborative ideation competitions.

Biorural aims to bring the rural population (farmers, livestock farmers, fishermen, foresters, rural citizens, rural businesses and industry) closer to companies, knowledge centers and other key agents (such as rural development organizations, agricultural producers, local administrations and provincial councils, etc.), in order to introduce innovative practices in bioeconomy in agricultural, livestock, forestry or fishing production activities oriented towards the food, industrial, chemical and energy markets.

The new sustainable business models that emerge will accelerate the development of products and services marketed from rural areas and will contribute to increasing the market reach of the bioeconomy in Eur.