BioRural Online Call opens its doors to Southwestern Europe, inviting innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, start-ups, students and citizens to present original proposals that allow for the efficient valorisation of organic by-products that are currently underutilised.
Applications to this Circular Bioeconomy Challenge can be submitted from applicants located in Southwestern countries: Spain, Italy, Portugal, Malta, Monaco and Andorra. The South-West Online Call is open from 31st May until 20th August 2024 (23:59h – CET).
But, what are “bioeconomy innovations”?
You can submit any innovative idea that may resolve the management of an organic by-product applying circularity. You may know in your region or country about some by-products in rural areas that are accumulated, which management is linear and not circular, which involve high costs or result in a final use of low added value.
Where to start from?
The first you need is an idea. Do you already have one? Then we encourage you to form a group with colleagues at work, students, usual collaborators, and put heads together. Transforming your idea into an application to the SW Call will require you to browse for information, read news, or consult some experts. You need to state that your idea is original, and has not been put into practice yet, but also that it is feasible, by using existing or promising technologies, applicable in rural-areas. This is well explained in the BioRural Open Call Applicants guide.
Applying for the South-West Online Call
The timing for the SW Online Call is organised in three phases:
Phase 1: Until 20th August 2024
- Prepare your application.
- Form a group of researchers, students, company technicians and submit your application.
Phase 2: Until end of August 2024
- The evaluation committee will review the applications, and organise a meeting with each applicant. There you will be able to explain by voice your ideas!
- Among the applicants, 10-15 will be selected and have access to the Southwest regional final.
Phase 3: Until November 2024
- Selected applicants will be communicated to improve their applications and prepare for the final workshop, which will take place in Valladolid (Spain) in November 2024.
- Attending this workshop will be a unique experience!
To apply, it is necessary to fill in and submit the online application form for the SW Online Call, which can be found here:
Download the Applicants’ Guide and proceed to the submission of your Application in your Region! Don’t forget to advise on the Online Call Terms and Conditions.
Download | Online Call Terms and Conditions
Download | Online Call Applicants Guide
Participating has a reward!
Many entrepreneurs and innovators started like this, with an idea, and participating in one or several challenges or contests. This initial move was fundamental for many of them to get encouraged and take a step forward.
What will the SW Online Call provide you?
- Simply, by participating you will be able to visualise your idea, your group, or your organisation, and your idea will be reviewed.
- By connecting with BioRural partners and the BioRural community, you will get inspired by new ideas to improve yours, or connect with experts or providers of solutions.
- By attending the final event in Valladolid, you will enjoy an enriching experience together with other participants, and come in contact with European experts, to which you will present your idea.
Special reward for the 3 best ideas!
If you are also one of the three awarded finalists, you will gain:
- A promo-kit including tailored coaching to evolve your idea, and to widespread it with interview-videos and diffusion in social media and sectorial channels.
- Access to the European final of the Bioeconomy Challenge that will take place in Brussels in 2025 along with other winning candidates from all over Europe.
CONTACT POINTS
The general information for the Regional Online Calls for the EU Challenge can be consulted at BioRural referential page, where there is also Access to the Online Call Applicants Guide, as well as the Terms and Conditions. For specific details of the South-West call, you can also visit the national info pages, or contact the corresponding organisers.
—————ITALY
PORTUGAL
SPAIN
Associazione Italiana Energie Agroforestali | University of Coimbra | Biomass Centre for Energy | Spanish Biomass Association |
www.aielenergia.it | www.uc.pt | centrodabiomassa.pt | www.avebiom.org |
T: +39 049 883 0722 | M: +351 935 492 482 | T: +351 239 532 436M: +351 935 204 465 | T: +34 983 113 760 M: +34 663 301 141 |