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
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