Engaging local stakholders for an innovative, inclusive and sustainable bieoconomy transition
Peter Canciani, Project Manager (CEI-ES) BIOLOC demonstrates that the circular bioeconomy achieves real impact when it is innovative, inclusive, and communitydriven. By enabling regions to co-create solutions tailored to their local strengths, the project has enhanced communities’ capacity to shape their own sustainable future while strengthening territorial resilience and cohesion.
3 Introduction BIOLOC is driven by a clear mission: to place social innovation and inclusion in the focus of the transition to a sustainable and circular bioeconomy. By working closely with local communities across 12 European regions, the project aims to revitalise territories and create pathways towards resource-efficient production and consumption patterns that are inclusive, fair, and resilient. Grounded in extensive interdisciplinary research, cocreation, and tailored regional engagement, BIOLOC identifies and designs solutions that reflect the diversity of local contexts across Europe. Through its network of BIOLOC Hubs, the project fosters collaboration and knowledge exchange. Bioloc Hubs are communities of practice bringing together stakeholders from public institutions, private enterprises, civil society, and academics. These hubs have become the backbone of BIOLOC’s outreach and a driving force for co-developing innovative measures that address both technical and social challenges. As BIOLOC approaches its conclusion, it has successfully demonstrated the power of local engagement and multiactor collaboration. The project has built a committed network of regional stakeholders, delivered in-depth analyses of local bio-based value chains, developed tailored circular solutions, and piloted tools such as the Societal Readiness Level (SRL) framework to assess communities’ readiness for change. These achievements now serve as a springboard for long-term impact and future replication. By combining research-driven insights with on-theground action, BIOLOC strengthens local capacities to implement circular bioeconomy solutions that generate tangible socio-economic and environmental benefits. This approach ensures that no community is left behind in Europe’s transition to a more sustainable future. Introduction
CHALLENGES SOLUTIONS UNEMPLOYMENT DEPOPULATION POLLUTION EXCLUSION & INEQUALITY SKILL GAPS Job creation through biobased industries, sustainable agriculture, waste valorisation Revitalizing rural economies through new business opportunities, support to local farmers, local bioeconomy projects Circular waste management, sustainable forestry, soil remediation Educational initiatives through trainings, workshops, mentorship in sustainable industries Inclusive employment, social entrepreneurship, accessible work environments CO-CREATION CAPACITY ENHANCEMENT DEVELOPMENT PARTICIPATION STAKEHOLDERS NEEDS/GAPS
5 Setting the Scene: BIOLOC Regions Setting the Scene: BIOLOC Regions The effective implementation of the circular bioeconomy across European regions hinges on addressing a complex interplay of social, economic, and structural factors. A central challenge remains the limited public understanding of the bioeconomy and its potential to revitalise regional economies. Raising awareness of bio-based opportunities is therefore a prerequisite for community engagement and for building a shared vision of sustainable growth. Demographic and spatial dynamics further shape regional prospects. Large shares of Europe’s population live in low-density rural areas, where limited infrastructure and youth outmigration exacerbate labour shortages and unemployment. These conditions underline the need for new value chains based on local biomass, waste, and renewable resources—value chains capable of generating employment if complemented by appropriate training and skills mobilisation. Although many territories possess abundant natural resources and residual biomass, these assets remain underutilised due to weak valorisation schemes and insufficient investment in processing infrastructure such as biorefineries or composting facilities. Bridging the gap between research and practice is also critical: without stronger collaboration between academia and industry, innovations risk remaining detached from market application. Institutional and financial barriers also constrain development. Complex administrative procedures discourage participation in EU programmes, while accessible, tailored financing instruments for SMEs and innovators remain scarce. Moreover, research capacities must be aligned with regional strengths to ensure context-sensitive bioeconomy strategies. When addressed in combination, these elements can unlock the full potential of the circular bioeconomy to stimulate economic renewal, foster social inclusion, and strengthen territorial resilience. 1
Regional Differences: Challenges and Responses Socio-economic conditions and demographic realities Challenge: High unemployment, rural depopulation, ageing populations, and uneven education levels limit available human capital. Solution: Targeted training and inclusion strategies to attract youth and marginalised groups, while creating new jobs in bio-based value chains. Natural resource availability and landscape diversity Challenge: Biomass resources vary widely; some regions lack processing infrastructure, while others face competing land uses (e.g., food vs. bioenergy). Solution: Careful resource planning based on local typologies, seasonality, and sustainability to optimise valorisation and balance competing priorities.
7 Industrial and technological maturity Challenge: Uneven industrial capacity and R&D ecosystems limit innovation uptake in less- developed regions. Solution: Invest in technological modernisation, pilot projects, and demonstration facilities to bridge gaps and enable local bio-based innovation. Cultural awareness and stakeholder engagement Challenge: Low public awareness and weak community participation reduce support for circular bioeconomy initiatives. Solution: Promote awareness campaigns, inclusive dialogues, and stakeholder networks to strengthen social capital and ensure community buy-in. Policy support and governance structures Challenge: Fragmented strategies, rigid regulations, and uneven funding mechanisms slow down bioeconomy adoption. Solution: Foster clear, coordinated, and inclusive governance frameworks to de-risk investments and accelerate scaling. Setting the Scene: BIOLOC Regions
STUDENTS & MARGINALISED YOUTH ROMA COMMUNITY MEMBERS MIGRANTS SMALL FARMERS HOMELESS RESIDENTS IN POLLUTED AREAS THE DIVERSITY OF STAKEHOLDERS ENSURES A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO BIOECONOMY INTEGRATION. PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES LOCAL ENGAGEMENT COMMUNITIES INCLUSION CO-DEVELOPMENT WOMEN IN RURAL AREAS MARGINALISED GROUPS
9 Social Groups in BIOLOC Hubs Social Groups in BIOLOC Hubs At the core of BIOLOC lies a simple premise: the green transition must also be a just transition. Technology and innovation alone are insufficient if they fail to address the needs of communities most at risk of exclusion. Across twelve regional hubs, BIOLOC has worked directly with groups facing persistent barriers to education, employment, and social participation, ensuring that the circular bioeconomy (CBE) contributes to both sustainability and inclusion. Each hub began with a bottom-up assessment of its local context—conducting interviews, analysing socioeconomic realities, and engaging stakeholders to answer a key question: who is being left behind, and how can they be integrated into the CBE? This process revealed four categories of groups facing structural disadvantages, though their profiles differ across regions. Roma families in Bulgaria and Slovakia, together with migrants and refugees in the Netherlands and newcomers in rural Aragón (Spain), face entrenched discrimination, language barriers, and exclusion from labour markets and services. 2
The CBE could offer inclusive job opportunities that allow people to contribute in meaningful ways. Young people also face steep barriers. In Croatia, students in vocational schools lack pathways into decent work, while in Germany NEETs (Not in Education, Employment or Training) are stigmatised rather than supported. In Slovenia, socially vulnerable youth risk being pushed out of both school and work. People with disabilities and health challenges remain underrepresented in bioeconomy opportunities. In Greece’s Western Macedonia and rural Spain, limited infrastructure, lack of adapted training, and employer bias restrict their participation, despite their willingness to engage. Rural and agricultural workers also face systemic disadvantages. Small-scale farmers and forestry workers in Italy’s Campania region experience low wages and depopulation, while in Hungary entire villages are affected by energy poverty and scarce employment. In Spain, rural women over 40 have few chances for training or paid work. These communities form the backbone of regional life yet remain disproportionately excluded from opportunity. Without deliberate inclusion, the circular bioeconomy risks reproducing existing inequalities. BIOLOC demonstrates that inclusion is not an adjunct but a prerequisite: just as resources are reused in the circular model, societies must also reclaim human talent, dignity, and agency. Through the hubs, marginalised groups have gained not only access to new economic opportunities but also a renewed sense of belonging. Migrant women manage community gardens in the Netherlands, disadvantaged youth in Slovenia benefit from mentorship programmes, farmers in Campania transform waste into value, and people with disabilities in Greece produce circular products for their city. These initiatives illustrate that when inclusion is prioritised, the circular bioeconomy becomes a driver of both sustainability and social transformation. Homeless people and Roma are among the most discriminated groups. Employers exploit them and give them minimum wages for their work.
11 Social Groups in BIOLOC Hubs
12 HUBS IN 12 EUROPEAN REGIONS STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED MEET-UPS OF THE HUBS SOLUTIONS DEVELOPED MARGINALISED GROUPS SUPPORTED +200 +1000 20 CAMPANIA REGION ITALY ARAGON REGION SPAIN APELDOORN REGION NETHERLANDS ENTIRE COUNTRY SLOVENIA MORAVIAN-SILESIAN REGION CZECH REPUBLIC BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG REGION GERMANY NORTHERN HUNGARY REGION HUNGARY REGION OF WESTERN MACEDONIA GREECE WEST REGION ROMANIA BULGARIA PLOVDIV REGION NITRA REGION SLOVAKIA ADRIATIC REGION CROATIA 12 HUBS, 1 VISION EMPOWERING CIRCULAR BIOECONOMY
13 BIOLOC Hubs: Catalysts for Inclusive and Sustainable bioeconomy Transition BIOLOC Hubs: Catalysts for Inclusive and Sustainable bioeconomy Transition 3 BIOLOC has established 12 participatory quadruple helix regional hubs across Europe, in collaboration with local partners and networks. These hubs are central to transforming local communities through circular bioeconomy initiatives, making this approach accessible and inclusive. By helping marginalised groups gain access to education, skills, and economic opportunities, the hubs operate in diverse regional contexts to foster social inclusion and environmental sustainability. Empowering Communities for a Circular Future BIOLOC hubs actively engage marginalised groups – youth, women, refugees, and people with disabilities –creating inclusive spaces for education, skill-building, and equal opportunity. These hubs equip underrepresented communities with the tools and support needed to thrive within the circular bioeconomy. Fostering Collaboration for Lasting Innovation At the core of each BIOLOC hub is a dynamic partnership between businesses, local governments, universities, and NGOs. This multi-stakeholder ecosystem accelerates the adoption of circular bioeconomy solutions, ensuring that each contributor plays a key role in driving sustainable inclusive, and economically viable outcomes. Transforming Local Resources into Global Solutions BIOLOC hubs turn local challenges into powerful opportunities by converting waste, agricultural residues, and by-products into valuable circular bio-based products. These innovations contribute to environmental sustainability, create green jobs, and built resilient communities, demonstrating the global potential of local resources. Key Features
BIOLOC hubs work closely with local governments and policymakers to shape strategies that embed circular bioeconomy principles into regional development. They advocate for regulatory frameworks that enable innovation and ensure equal access to opportunities, particularly for marginalised groups. Examples include consultations on land-use regulations and recommendations for waste management and bio-based innovation. To encourage wider participation, BIOLOC hubs run awareness campaigns highlighting the economic, social, and environmental benefits of the circular bioeconomy. These initiatives help communities— especially those with limited exposure to sustainability—understand how circular practices can reduce waste, create jobs, and protect ecosystems. BIOLOC hubs act as collaborative platforms, connecting businesses, policymakers, NGOs, academia, and local communities. Through networking events and workshops, they facilitate knowledge exchange, foster partnerships, and co-develop bio-based solutions tailored to regional needs. This cooperation accelerates the transition towards inclusive and sustainable local economies. BIOLOC hubs provide hands-on training programmes that give marginalised communities the skills to engage in the circular bioeconomy. Activities focus on practical solutions such as upcycling, sustainable farming, and green entrepreneurship, creating pathways to employment and business opportunities. Networking Training Governance Awareness
15 BIOLOC regional hubs are community-driven platforms managed by local partners. They bring together stakeholders from across the quadruple helix to align interests at the intersection of circular bioeconomy and social innovation. Through joint activities, these actors co-develop shared and scalable solutions that strengthen local value chains and benefit society at large. Stakeholder cooperation is fostered through participatory approaches, ensuring that the hubs remain inclusive, adaptive, and effective in addressing regional challenges. In practice, hubs implement a range of activities tailored to local realities, embedding social inclusion and empowerment across all stages of the bioeconomy process. These activities are organised into four main categories, each adapted to the specific contexts and barriers faced by marginalised groups. BIOLOC hubs formalised their long-term vision through Memoranda of Understanding with key stakeholders. These agreements anchor the hubs within their regional ecosystems, providing a strong foundation for sustainability. As a result, the hubs are positioned to remain active spaces where communities, institutions, and enterprises can continue co-creating inclusive circular bioeconomy solutions. Addressing marginalized groups throught the activities of BIOLOC Hubs A portfolio of 15 learning activities makes complex concepts accessible and directly applicable. These efforts build trust, foster innovation, and ensure no one is left behind. By learning together and developing new skills, communities not only generate opportunities but also strengthen resilience and inclusivity. BIOLOC Hubs: Catalysts for Inclusive and Sustainable bioeconomy Transition Youth Unemployed Women People with disabilities Working poor Migrants
BIOLOC Hubs
> Aragon, Spain The success of bioeconomy strategies depends on their ability to harness the full diversity of rural communities and build collaboration among key players. The Aragon Hub unites regional authorities, NGOs, producers, industry, and research institutions to foster a more inclusive circular bioeconomy. Main Challenges Skills shortages and the limited presence of bio-based industries slow the regional transition. Cooperation among stakeholders across the value chain remains weak, while regulatory fragmentation and bureaucratic hurdles stifle innovation. Addressing these barriers requires both collaboration and systemic simplification. Marginalised groups involved Business model developed The Hub develops biomass-based business models tailored to rural contexts, integrating women and people with disabilities as active participants. By promoting inclusive entrepreneurship and valorising local resources, these models illustrate how the bioeconomy can create value while strengthening social cohesion. What’s Next? The Hub seeks to consolidate inclusive biomass-based strategies that reinforce local value chains and expand a regional circular economy strategy. • Rural residents • Women • People with intellectual disabilities website linkedIn
19 > West Region, Romania HUBS Sustainable development is not just a research direction or institutional discourse, but an assumed, scalable and replicable practice. The Romania Hub brings together companies, utilities, NGOs, and research bodies to link soil remediation with circular bioeconomy practices. Main Challenges The region struggles with economic decline and depopulation following industrial closures. Pollution and contaminated soils create severe health risks and undermine agricultural productivity. Communities face limited access to information and skills, further restricting engagement in sustainable alternatives. Marginalised groups involved Business model developed The Hub promotes composting and biogas technologies as foundations of the circular bio-based economy. These models simultaneously reduce pollution, improve soil health, and create sustainable energy solutions, while training young people in sustainability-oriented practices. By building organisational cultures rooted in circularity, the Hub generates replicable approaches for both public and private stakeholders. What’s Next? The Hub aims to connect circular bioeconomy with soil remediation to revitalise local economies, reduce unemployment, and stem depopulation. • Young educated people in polluted, post-industrial areas (Caraș-Severin and Hunedoara) website
> Moravia-Silesia, Czech Republic The Moravian-Silesian Hub is a public-private quadruple helix partnership that “aims” to drive a just transition. Main Challenges The region’s legacy of heavy industry created both prosperity and long-term environmental damage. The decline of coal and steel left many young people unemployed and without prospects. The central challenge is transforming a carbon-intensive economy into a sustainable and inclusive bioeconomy. Marginalised groups involved Business model developed The Hub fosters inclusive economic models such as social enterprises, producer cooperatives, living labs, and public– private partnerships. These initiatives provide reskilling opportunities, empower disadvantaged youth, and support community-driven innovation. By embedding participation and collaboration into economic activities, the Hub creates pathways for sustainable growth and resilience in postindustrial areas. What’s Next? The Hub aspires to become a regional engine of inclusive green innovation, transforming post-industrial areas into vibrant centres of bioeconomic activity and community empowerment. • Young unemployed people, especially former coal and steel workers The Hub gives our community a real voice in shaping the region’s future — it’s not just about innovation, it’s about inclusion. website linkedIn
21 > Nitra, Slovakia HUBS The INOVATO Hub, rooted in an engineering cluster, partners with the Good Shepherd initiative to support the resocialisation of Roma and homeless communities. Main Challenges Roma and homeless people face deep-seated discrimination, exploitation in labour markets, and cycles of poverty and addiction. Employers frequently stigmatise them as “unreliable” and offer only precarious or exploitative work. Many rely on recycling, food donations, and temporary assistance, with few pathways to sustainable livelihoods. Marginalised groups involved Business model developed The Hub promotes an integrated cycle combining farming, food production, artisanal workshops, and construction activities with social reintegration. Profit is secondary to social value, with the goal of building dignity, skills, and resilience among excluded groups. Cheese production, furniture renovation, and small-scale food processing exemplify how circular bioeconomy practices are directly linked with community empowerment. What’s Next? The Hub will remain active beyond the BIOLOC project, continuing to support marginalised groups and disseminate its experience as a replicable model across Slovakia. • Roma communities • Homeless people I have found that there is a place where everyone is accepted, and that community can be the cure for my pain. website
> Apeldoorn, The Netherlands The Apeldoorn Hub connects three community kitchen gardens supported by the municipality, social workers, Wageningen University, and local students. Main Challenges The gardens rely heavily on a few key individuals, leaving them vulnerable to disruption. Land insecurity threatens two of the three projects, as they operate on borrowed sites. Limited volunteer capacity further constrains growth and continuity. Marginalised groups involved Business model developed The Hub advances community-based gardening models that combine circular practices with social integration. By offering space for skill-building, food production, and social participation, the model reduces isolation, strengthens neighbourhood ties, and creates inclusive opportunities for marginalised residents. What’s Next? The Hub aims to sustain kitchen gardens as inclusive green spaces where communities meet, garden together, and foster social cohesion. • Migrant women • People experiencing homelessness • Individuals in reintegration processes • Elderly people I really enjoy coordinating the kitchen garden with three volunteers and women from our neighbourhood. website
23 > North Region, Hungary HUBS The North Hungary Hub unites municipalities, forestry enterprises, social services, SMEs, and researchers to address rural energy poverty through inclusive bioeconomy solutions. Main Challenges Rural communities face severe energy poverty, relying on inefficient and harmful heating practices, including burning waste. Long-term unemployment and limited education perpetuate exclusion, while weak stakeholder coordination prevents systemic change. These issues underline the need for a locally anchored, communitydriven bioeconomy. Marginalised groups involved Business model developed The Hub develops community-based models for sustainable biomass pellet production, improved firewood logistics, composting, and textile repurposing. These solutions create local value chains that generate jobs, provide affordable clean heating, and reduce pollution. By linking SMEs, public employment programmes, and social enterprises, the Hub ensures that vulnerable groups actively contribute to a circular and inclusive rural economy. What’s Next? The Hub aspires to become a regional catalyst for community-led bioeconomy, scaling up inclusive green solutions and influencing national policy for long-term resilience. • Long-term unemployed people • People living in extreme poverty • Roma communities It would be worthwhile to collect and compress waste into material that can be safely burned, creating interest among the poor to use cleaner alternatives. website
> Plovdiv, Bulgaria The Plovdiv Hub brings together academia, business, professional associations, NGOs, and local authorities to strengthen Bulgaria’s bioeconomy ecosystem. Main Challenges Bioeconomy development in Bulgaria is hindered by weak coordination between research, business, education, and policy. This fragmentation limits knowledge transfer, slows innovation uptake, and prevents rural actors from fully engaging. The Hub was created to bridge these gaps and build a collaborative ecosystem. Marginalised groups involved Business model developed The Hub promotes cooperatives, producer networks, and social enterprises as models that combine sustainability with community benefit. By pooling resources and fostering collaboration across sectors, these models enable small farmers and rural youth to access innovation, valorise biomass, and generate inclusive growth. What’s Next? The Hub aims to become a regional centre of excellence, scaling up green technologies, promoting circular practices, and training a new generation of bioeconomy professionals. • Small-scale farmers • Rural youth • Producers in underdeveloped areas Plovdiv holds enormous untapped potential for the bioeconomy. Through the Hub, we bring together agriculture, research, and innovation to build a greener, more resilient future. website
25 > Western Macedonia, Greece HUBS The Western Macedonia Hub is a multistakeholder initiative coordinated by CERTH and APANEMO to integrate people with disabilities into the region’s emerging circular bioeconomy. Main Challenges The region faces the decline of coal-based industries, environmental degradation, and high unemployment. People with disabilities encounter additional barriers such as inaccessible infrastructure, limited training pathways, and employer bias. These challenges make inclusive, sustainable alternatives essential for a just transition. Marginalised groups involved Business model developed The Hub supports a social cooperative enterprise based on inclusive woodworking workshops. With technical input from the University of Thessaly, used pallets are transformed into circular products such as keychains and phone holders. Municipalities act as both market facilitators and end-users, purchasing products for local institutions. This model combines circularity, economic activity, and social inclusion, creating accessible jobs while strengthening community cohesion. What’s Next? The Hub envisions itself as an inclusive innovation space where communities, researchers, and entrepreneurs cocreate regenerative circular solutions. • People with physical, sensory, intellectual, or cognitive disabilities The Hub represents a new beginning for Western Macedonia. By focusing on the capabilities of people with disabilities, we set an example for an inclusive, sustainable future. website
> Adriatic Region, Croatia AdriBioHub is a regional educational and advisory platform that connects youth, communities, policymakers, academia, and industry to foster inclusive bioeconomy practices. Main Challenges Awareness of the bioeconomy remains low, with weak links between education and industry limiting skills transfer. Hands-on opportunities for youth are scarce, especially in less developed areas. Gender imbalance persists, as young women remain underrepresented in sectors relevant to the bioeconomy. Marginalised groups involved Business model developed AdriBioHub functions as a voluntary, multi-stakeholder platform that connects local actors and provides access to knowledge, mentorship, and collaboration. It supports bottom-up initiatives and the sustainable use of biomass while preparing to formalise its structure into an association. This model creates a flexible yet coordinated framework to strengthen participation in the circular bioeconomy. What’s Next? AdriBioHub aims to become a lasting online platform for knowledge exchange, stakeholder networking, and visibility of good practices, embedded in national bioeconomy efforts. • Young people with fewer opportunities • Girls and young women in underrepresented fields AdriBioHub helps us connect our students to real-world opportunities and gives them tools to see the bioeconomy as a future career path — not just a concept. website linkedIn
27 > Baden-Württemberg, Germany HUBS The Baden-Württemberg Hub brings together politics, industry, academia, civil society, and education to advance the regional transition to a circular bioeconomy through social innovation. Main Challenges While the region has a bioeconomy strategy, it is largely technology-driven and expert-led. Social innovation and inclusiveness are underrepresented, and awareness among policymakers of vulnerable groups’ needs remains limited. Broader access to training and education is necessary to ensure a just transition. Marginalised groups involved Business model developed The Hub promotes socially responsive business models such as community-supported agriculture (CSA), where producers and consumers share risks and benefits. This model demonstrates how local value chains can integrate sustainability with inclusiveness, while addressing food security and rural resilience. By embedding participation and community benefit, the Hub showcases how the bioeconomy can extend beyond technological innovation. What’s Next? The Hub plans to engage underrepresented societal actors, strengthening research, education, and networking to ensure the bioeconomy transition remains socially inclusive at regional and international levels. • Young people not in education, employment, or training (NEETs) The transformation to a sustainable and circular bioeconomy does not only need technological innovation but also societal participation, practiceoriented communication and social inclusion. website linkedIn
> Campania, Italy The Campania Hub, coordinated by the SPRING Cluster, promotes circular bioeconomy in rural areas, engaging agro-forestry workers, farmers, researchers, and policymakers. Main Challenges Many farmers lack awareness of circular bioeconomy opportunities and the value of bio-based products. Regulatory barriers, such as inconsistent biomass classification and rigid eligibility criteria, hinder innovation. High unemployment and youth outmigration intensify depopulation, while biomass resources remain underutilised in rural areas. Marginalised groups involved Business model developed The Hub promotes diverse and sustainable models, including cooperatives, producer networks, and small-scale bio-based enterprises. These models valorise local biomass, reduce waste, and create economic opportunities in rural territories. By fostering collaboration and institutional dialogue, the Hub demonstrates how inclusive business models can simultaneously strengthen local economies and enhance resilience in marginalised rural communities. What’s Next? The Hub aims to become a permanent reference point for bioeconomy in Southern Italy, supporting rural resilience and inspiring younger generations to invest in their home territories. • Small agro-forestry workers • Livestock farmers in inner rural areas The bioeconomy is more than innovation — it’s a pathway to regenerate communities, restore ecosystems, and create lasting local value. website linkedIn
29 > Slovenia HUBS The Slovenian Hub is a multi-stakeholder platform uniting government, industry, academia, and civil society to accelerate the transition to a circular bioeconomy. Main Challenges Stakeholder engagement is fragmented, with limited cross-sectoral collaboration and low public awareness of bioeconomy opportunities. Access to financing for innovation and sustainability transitions remains insufficient, slowing systemic change. Marginalised groups involved Business model developed The Hub promotes collaborative models such as clusters, cooperatives, and social enterprises. These models strengthen local circular value chains while ensuring that disadvantaged groups are included in new opportunities. By bridging policy, research, and industry, the Hub fosters partnerships that align national strategies with grassroots initiatives, embedding inclusiveness into economic transformation. What’s Next? The Hub aims to become Slovenia’s leading national platform for circular and socially inclusive bioeconomy solutions, with influence across the wider BIOEAST region. • Unemployed youth • Rural communities By bridging policy, industry, and research, and involving diverse stakeholders, we are laying the foundation for a sustainable bioeconomy in Slovenia. website
Social inclusion Environmental sustainability Technological innovation TRIGGERS OF SUCCESS Strengthened regional CBE value chains Inclusion of marginalised groups Enhanced governance of transition to CBE Consolidated public-private cooperation 12 INNOVATIVE BUSINESS MODELS CIRCULARITY INCLUSION SUSTAINABILITY INNOVATION BUSINESS MODELS
31 Network-Based Models for a Sustainable and Inclusive Bioeconomy BIOLOC promotes business models that are not only economically viable, but also deeply responsive to the social and ecological realities of the regions where they emerge. These models are rooted in place, developed in collaboration with local stakeholders, and designed to create long-term impact by aligning with the principles of the circular bioeconomy. From the beginning, BIOLOC recognised that innovation in business must go beyond traditional frameworks. Especially in regions facing marginalisation, depopulation, or economic decline, new economic models must reflect local priorities, cultural values, and available resources. Through close cooperation with its twelve regional hubs, BIOLOC has co-developed a portfolio of business models that respond to this need—models that are both placebased and adaptable, grounded in real-life cases and informed by lived experience. The business model development process drew on two structured tools: the Nature-Based Solutions Business Model Canvas and the Triple Layered Business Model Canvas. The first was applied where initiatives were closely tied to ecological restoration, natural resources, or biodiversity. The second was used where a broader systems perspective was required—capturing economic, social, and environmental considerations in parallel. These canvases helped local actors articulate the value they create, the partnerships they depend on, and the longterm sustainability of their efforts. Business Models 4
They operate within local ecosystems of trust, knowledge, and support. They are not imposed from outside, but built from within—and this makes them resilient, scalable, and deeply relevant to the people they serve. Across all twelve hubs, the business models share a commitment to inclusion, cooperation, and circularity. They show that bioeconomy innovation is not limited to large-scale industry, but can also thrive in rural villages, social enterprises, and community-led initiatives. Rather than treating social and environmental goals as trade-offs, these models position them as essential to economic success. With the right frameworks, networks, and local leadership, they demonstrate how economies can be regenerated, ecosystems restored, and communities empowered simultaneously. What makes these business models powerful is not only their creativity or technical soundness, but their ability to link people, places, and purpose. Guidelines for Building Sustainable and Inclusive Business Models The insights gained through BIOLOC’s hubs have been consolidated into a set of guidelines that illustrate how sustainable and inclusive bio-based business models can be developed and scaled. These guidelines reflect not only economic imperatives, but also social, environmental, technological, and cultural dimensions that ensure long-term relevance and resilience. Social Inclusion • Engaging vulnerable groups: Reducing social inequalities by providing targeted employment opportunities and training for marginalised groups. • Skill development: Strengthening human capital and employability through training programmes, mentoring, and professional requalification. • Community collaboration: Fostering trust, cohesion, and stronger ownership of outcomes by involving local communities in decision-making and implementation.
33 To explore the full set of business models and real life case studies developed across the 12 regions, Deliverable D4.3 – Network Based Local Business Models is available for download on the BIOLOC website >>. Business Models Environmental Sustainability • Circular resource management: Reducing waste and contributing to a regenerative economy by reusing agricultural and industrial by-products. • Natural, biodegradable materials: Promoting ecofriendly production through the use of renewable resources such as straw and thistle. • Renewable energy: Enhancing energy efficiency and reducing fossil fuel dependence by integrating biomass, solar, and compost systems. Economic Value • Local opportunities: Stimulating entrepreneurship and strengthening regional economies by creating bio-based value chains that retain resources locally. • Diversification: Reducing risks and enhancing resilience by combining multiple activities, such as bioplastics, gourmet mushrooms, and biomass production. • Public–private collaboration: Securing financial sustainability by engaging institutions and enterprises in partnerships that provide funding, incentives, and expertise. Technological Innovation • Adaptable technologies: Increasing efficiency and replicability by adopting innovative solutions such as digital traceability and biogas generation. • Research and development: Driving continuous improvement through collaboration with universities, research centres, and technical institutes. • Modular design: Ensuring flexibility and scalability through prefabricated and modular solutions, such as straw-based housing. Cultural Sustainability • Local traditions: Preserving cultural identity by integrating traditional farming, artisanal food production, and regional practices. • Awareness and education: Supporting cultural change through training initiatives and campaigns that promote sustainability values. • Sustainable tourism: Linking ecology with cultural and economic opportunities through innovative initiatives such as Strobox eco-houses.
FROM ROOT TO REWARD: THE SOCIAL VALUE CHAIN BEHIND A LICORICE TREAT COOPERATION GROWTH PROSPERITY RESILIENCE SOCIAL VALUE CHAIN
Long-term Impact Managers of local hubs recognise the concrete transformations generated through BIOLOC. The analysis focused on five core dimensions of hub development— Vision, Network, Engagement, Governance, and Infrastructure—tracking their evolution over the course of the project. The radar diagram clearly illustrates this trajectory: from modest starting conditions (blue) to significantly strengthened capacities by the project’s conclusion (orange). In every dimension, stakeholders reported substantial progress, confirming that hubs not only consolidated their strategic vision but also expanded networks, improved governance, enhanced community engagement, and invested in infrastructure for future growth. At the centre of this transformation lies the validation of innovative business models co-created within the hubs. Designed to be both economically viable and socially inclusive, these models are rooted in local realities and ecological priorities. By aligning regional strengths with the principles of the circular bioeconomy, BIOLOC has left behind hubs that are more resilient, better connected, and prepared to generate long-term impact. 35 Long-term Impact
While TRL measures if a technology works, SRL checks if society is ready to embrace it - making innovation truly impactful. REGIONAL NETWORK ETHICS AND CULTURE PUBLIC SUPPORT SOCIETAL READINESS MARKET SKILLS SRL SOCIETAL READINESS LEVEL
37 Driving Sustainable Innovation: Introducing the Societal Readiness Level SRL Societal Readiness Level 5 BIOLOC promotes new solutions rooted in the real needs of local communities to achieve long-term impact. At the regional level, innovation often occurs along the four sectors of the Quadruple Helix model: public institutions, private businesses, civil society, and academia. These actors shape local development pathways through co-creation to match the region’s unique characteristics and objectives. The maturity of innovations is often understood in terms of technological development, institutional support, and available resources. However, the ability of a territory to adopt and integrate new solutions depends on its societal structure: mainstream innovation strategies often underestimate the importance of society’s willingness to adapt to change. Innovation does not happen in a vacuum: its adoption and sustainability are not only conditional on funding or technical expertise. Local culture, openness to change, and societal readiness are fundamental aspects. For this reason, BIOLOC has been developing the Societal Readiness Level to complement mainstreaming assessments of technological maturity. BIOLOC built the SRL on the understanding that social, political, and economic contexts are crucial for adopting new biobased technologies. A shared vision of the desired state of a new solution is essential to define its opportunity space. This vision must be explored, co-designed, or negotiated. In short, readiness is identified as a relative concept, shaped by the goals set by the stakeholders.
The SRL is a tool to assess if a biobased innovation is ready to be adopted by society. It focuses on shared goals and multi-actor collaboration and on institutional support, not just technical readiness. The assessment addresses people’s support, skills, values, and culture. New technologies need social acceptance to succeed, not just technological maturity; It supports regions and communities to adopt smarter, fairer transitions to sustainable solutions; It highlights potential barriers early, helping innovators adapt and succeed. and why is the SRL important? What is the SRL?
39 The SRL assessment approaches technology development as an emergent process with multiple routes. Different stakeholders may have different visions for how an emergent solution should evolve, emphasizing the relational nature of innovation. As a result, the SRL is ultimately an interpretative tool reflecting the values and ambitions of the community behind bioeconomy innovations. Overall, the SRL aims to align innovation with social objectives while contributing to sustainability goals. The maturity of innovation in the SRL is influenced by five key factors: networks of organizations, market forces, public support, knowledge and skills, and cultural values. Networks promote collaboration and resource sharing, which accelerates development and adoption. Markets dictate demand, while public policies either promote or hinder progress. Knowledge and skills are essential for creating and utilizing technology, and cultural values affect the acceptance of innovation.These factors are not static but evolve along the development process of innovation which in the SRL framework consists of five phases: pre-development, selection and advancement, take-off, acceleration, and stabilization. An innovation can progress forwards but also backwards along these stages, emphasizing the importance of navigating setbacks and waiting for the right moment to achieve breakthrough success. Together, these factors create a complex web of playing field won which it is shaped by how technology matures, how quickly it is adopted, and how it becomes integrated into everyday life. Each factor interacts with the others, creating a dynamic environment through which technology must navigate and evolve. The assessment helps communities, businesses, academics, and policymakers understand the current state of technology in these domains and phases. It serves as a practical guide to make innovation not just possible, but successful. SRL Societal Readiness Level
The framework provided a structured perspective distinct from routine practices, opening space for dialogue on issues that stakeholders do not usually confront—such as ethical considerations and the dynamics of regional networks. By assigning a tentative maturity level, the process not only identified specific areas for improvement but also demonstrated how societal readiness can strengthen local ownership and foster lasting positive impact on communities. BIOLOC validated the potential of the SRL toolset as a common framework for discussing progress, challenges, and opportunities at the local level. To test its adaptability, three initiatives from the BIOLOC catalogue of good practices were selected for the SRL scoring exercise: Bio Brezovo in Plovdiv (Bulgaria), Cooperativa Tararaina– ECORADIZ in Aragón (Spain), and the Valentia Foundation in Aragón (Spain). The accompanying images illustrate the outcomes of two guided self-assessments with local stakeholders, reflecting the diverse contexts in which these initiatives are being deployed and pointing to the directions where further intervention may be needed.
41 Conclusion The hubs at the heart of BIOLOC have shown that building a circular bioeconomy begins with dialogue and trust. Needs were identified through continuous communication, awareness-raising, and the careful cultivation of target groups. This participatory work enabled communities to design solutions tailored to their realities, ensuring that strategies were not imposed from above but grew from within. Alongside this community-driven process, research and analysis provided a scientific backbone. By transferring knowledge and competences, the hubs enhanced local stakeholder capacities and left behind a capital of insights that extend well beyond the project. From these twin channels—people and science—emerged a portfolio of inclusive business models. These models combine local participation with technical evidence, strengthening capacity for innovation while ensuring that solutions remain transferable, replicable, and sustainable. What BIOLOC leaves behind is more than pilot activities: it is a network of empowered communities, tested approaches, and knowledge resources that can be adapted across Europe. By activating both grassroots engagement and scientific expertise, the hubs demonstrate how capacity building and innovation can converge to drive lasting territorial resilience. Conclusion
Explore the deliverables and results on the BIOLOC website to learn more. Report on the analysis of the variewty of bio-economies in participating local communities Report on the Regional biobased systems cases description Report on the assessment of local needs, conditions, opportunities Report on the assessment of economic, environmental and social benefits Catalogue based on the established framework of concepts Catalogue of good practices Analysis of local context Opportunities for local value chains Network-based local business models Report on the activities of BIOLOC Hubs Map of local stakeholder needs, drivers and barriers Biobased initiatives lab selection of most promising initiatives Info and training on the bioeconomy Deliverables Discover the Deliverables on BIOLOC website
Consortium
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the Consortium only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or of the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. Contacts Central European Initiative – Executive Secretariat Via Genova 9, Trieste (Italy) Project Manager Mr. Peter Canciani canciani@cei.int – T. +39 0407786749 Design: Divulgando Srl www.bioloc.eu
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