Catania, 5–6 June 2025 – Under the Sicilian sun, researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and civil society leaders gathered for the BioINSouth Forum, an EU Green Week partner event that doubled as the final Italian milestone in the BIOLOC project. Hosted by SPRING – the Italian Circular Bioeconomy Cluster together with the University of Catania, the forum carried an unmistakable energy: a mix of reflection, ambition, and determination to keep pushing the green transition in Southern Europe.
A Southern Voice for Europe’s Green Transition
The Campania BIOLOC Hub took center stage, sharing how local collaboration had begun to shape new regional policies for the circular bioeconomy. With 55 participants representing universities, businesses, NGOs, and public authorities, the event provided fertile ground for dialogue across sectors.
Valeria Fascione, Councillor for Research, Innovation, and Startups of the Campania Region, underlined the role of regions as drivers of systemic change: “Circular bioeconomy is not only about technology; it is about reconciling economy, society, and the environment.”
Other voices, including Claudio De Vincenti of the Merita Foundation and Alessandro De Ludicibus from the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, echoed the same theme: bioeconomy is strongest when it’s inclusive and deeply rooted in local needs.
Sharing Stories, Building Networks
The forum was as much about learning from each other as it was about presenting results. Success stories from across Southern Europe were showcased, sparking discussions about how they could be replicated in other regions.
Poster sessions and informal networking allowed participants to get a closer look at BIOLOC’s journey in Campania — from hub creation to community outreach — while also opening the door to new collaborations across borders.
Commitments Beyond BIOLOC
One of the most important outcomes was a joint commitment: stakeholders pledged to continue supporting circular bioeconomy initiatives in Campania beyond BIOLOC’s official close.
This commitment will be anchored in two main efforts:
Developing a regional bioeconomy strategy with the Campania government by the end of 2025.
Leveraging other EU-funded projects to sustain momentum and secure long-term access to resources and networks.
The spirit of collaboration and continuity was clear. Feedback from participants showed strong interest in staying connected, exchanging best practices, and building future joint initiatives at both regional and European levels.
Lessons Learned
Not everything was easy. The forum highlighted the ongoing challenge of engaging marginalized groups — logistical and contextual barriers limited their direct participation. Still, organizers used this as a reminder that inclusion must remain a strategic priority in future initiatives.
The bigger lesson? The Campania Hub model is scalable. Its strong institutional support and cross-sector collaborations make it a promising blueprint for other Italian and European regions.
Looking Ahead
By the end of the two days, participants left not only with new contacts and ideas but also with a renewed sense of purpose. The BioINSouth Forum made one thing clear: in Campania, the circular bioeconomy is not just a policy experiment — it’s becoming a long-term regional strategy, rooted in people, partnerships, and resilience.
