On 13–14 May 2025, BioRural took centre stage in shaping the conversation on the future of the EU bioeconomy at the European Rural Circular Bioeconomy Conference (EuRCBC), co-organised in Brussels alongside five aligned EU-funded projects: SCALE-UP, ROBIN, MainstreamBIO, RuralBioUp, and Biomodel4Regions. United under the newly launched Rural Bioeconomy Alliance (RBA), these projects jointly demonstrated how collaboration accelerates the shift to a circular, inclusive, and sustainable rural bioeconomy.
Hosted at Comet Louise, the EuRCBC brought together over 150 stakeholders from policymaking, research, industry, and local communities. With BioRural playing a strategic leadership role, the event served as a platform to align rural bioeconomy efforts with broader EU priorities—particularly the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, the European Green Deal, and climate and biodiversity commitments.
BioRural Coordinator Dr. Thanos Balafoutis (CERTH) presented the project’s vision and the BioRural Toolkit, a practical and open-access platform supporting rural communities in identifying and implementing bioeconomy solutions. The Toolkit exemplifies how EU-funded tools can empower local innovation while reinforcing strategic EU goals.
The two-day programme featured joint panels, interactive workshops, and high-level policy dialogues. A major highlight was BioRural’s active role in a policy session focused on aligning bioeconomy development with sustainability frameworks—reinforcing the need for coherent, adaptable, and rural-sensitive policies.
The launch of the Rural Bioeconomy Alliance during the EuRCBC signified more than cooperation—it marked a shared commitment to amplify impact through joint action, policy alignment, and knowledge exchange. Through this coalition, BioRural and its partners sent a clear message: the transformation of Europe’s rural areas must be driven by unity, innovation, and a strong European vision.
By leading this vital dialogue, BioRural reaffirmed its role as a catalyst for rural bioeconomy transformation—working collectively to build a greener, more resilient future for rural Europe.
