Major collaboration agreement between regional bioeconomy networks

Published 14 July 2026

The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with four organisations representing the regional dimension of the bioeconomy. The joint agreement establishes a formal framework for structured dialogue and cooperation, with the aim of accelerating the deployment of bio-based innovation at regional level across Europe.

The agreement between CBE JU and European Forest Institute (EFI), European Regions for Innovation in Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ERIAFF), European Regions Research and Innovation Network (ERRIN) and Vanguard Initiative reflects a shared vision on the deployment of bioeconomy opportunities across regions. While CBE JU implements a European-level research and innovation programme, the other signatory parties represent networks of regions with one or several focus areas dedicated to circular bioeconomy.

Building bridges between European and regional funding

By joining forces, the signatories will identify actions helping stakeholders, especially start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to better understand and access funding opportunities at regional and national level. In particular, they will work on promoting complementarity between the CBE JU and regional or national investment sources. This will support bio-based industries in scaling up and replicating results of the CBE JU-funded projects.

"Ensuring that European funding catalyses impact on the ground means making it work hand in hand with national and regional investments. By actively promoting complementarity between CBE JU and other funding sources at Member State and regional levels, we can help bio-based industries bridge the gap between promising project results and full commercial deployment. This is how we turn European innovation into lasting industrial reality."

Nicoló Giacomuzzi-Moore, CBE JU Executive Director

Under the agreement, the parties will work together on a range of activities designed to support bioeconomy development at regional scale. These include joint networking events, tailored information sessions for regional stakeholders and targeted actions to facilitate access to funding. The parties will also work on mechanisms to guide promising projects towards suitable funding pathways, including the STEP seal of the European Commission.

"ERRIN is pleased to strengthen its collaboration with the CBE-JU together with other regional networks. By bringing regions closer to European partnerships, we can better connect innovation priorities as well as investment and funding opportunities, enabling bio-based solutions to scale up and create lasting impact across Europe."

Pirita Lindholm, Director, ERRIN

The signatories commit to collaborate on the identification of research, development and innovation priorities relevant to regional bioeconomy development, and to support each other's outreach and communication activities where there is a clear mutual benefit.

"The objective is to place innovation in agricultural, food and forestry systems at the heart of the strategies needed to address today’s challenges and build territories that are more sustainable, competitive and resilient."

Roberto Scalacci, Director, ERIAFF

Delivering through an agile framework

The implementation of this Memorandum of Understanding will be guided by a Joint Working Group, which will oversee the collaboration and ensure momentum is maintained. The group will adopt and regularly review an action plan setting out specific activities, roles, timelines and communication arrangements.

"Through the Vanguard Initiative Bioeconomy Pilot, we are committed to connecting regions, industries, research organisations and investors to accelerate the deployment of innovative bio-based solutions. By joining forces with CBE JU, EFI Bioregions, ERRIN and ERIAFF, we can better support the creation of interregional value chains, facilitate access to investment and scale-up opportunities, and help bring sustainable bioeconomy innovations from demonstration to market across Europe."

Ilaria Re, Technical Coordinator, Vanguard Initiative – Bioeconomy Pilot

Supporting the CBE JU Synergies Strategy

The Memorandum of Understanding is a concrete step in the implementation of the CBE JU Synergies Strategy, published in July 2025. The strategy sets out how CBE JU will coordinate with European, national and regional initiatives to create a more coherent and efficient investment landscape for the circular bioeconomy.

"This Memorandum of Understanding strengthens collaboration between CBE JU and Europe’s leading regional bioeconomy networks. By connecting regional authorities, innovation ecosystems and funding opportunities, we can help accelerate the deployment and scale-up of sustainable bio-based solutions, ensuring that research and innovation deliver tangible benefits for Europe’s regions and the green transition."

Robert Mavsar, Director, European Forest Institute

The strategy recognises that fragmentation across funding sources creates barriers for industry, especially for SMEs, and that a more coordinated approach can unlock new streams of investment by matching innovation needs with the right funding tools at the right time. The MoU directly addresses this challenge by establishing the institutional relationships needed to put the coordination into practice.

Introducing the signatory parties

Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking

The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) is a €2 billion partnership between the European Union and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) that funds projects advancing competitive circular bio-based industries in Europe. CBE JU is operating under the rules of Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and innovation programme, for the 2021-2031 period.

European Forest Institute

The European Forest Institute (EFI) is an intergovernmental organisation serving as a pan-European platform for forest-related research, policy support and knowledge exchange. Its EFI Bioregions initiative accelerates the development of a sustainable, forest-based circular bioeconomy by bringing together regional authorities, industry, researchers and other stakeholders to advance policy, innovation and investment across forest-based value chains.

European Regions Research and Innovation Network

The European Regions Research and Innovation Network (ERRIN) is a Brussels-based network of around 120 regional organisations that supports its members in strengthening their research and innovation capacities and ecosystems across Europe. Through its bioeconomy working group, ERRIN acts as a platform for regions to exchange knowledge, engage with bioeconomy and circular economy policies and funding programmes, and strengthen the regional dimension of the European circular bioeconomy.

Vanguard Initiative

The Vanguard Initiative (VI) brings together 25 regional authorities across 11 European countries, united by a shared commitment to advancing industrial innovation through interregional collaboration and smart specialisation. Its Bioeconomy Pilot accelerates the market uptake of bio-based innovations by fostering strategic alliances among regions, SMEs, research organisations and investors, supporting the development of cross-regional value chains and the scale-up of bio-based solutions from demonstration to deployment.

European Regions Network for Innovation in Agriculture, Food and Forestry

The European Regions Network for Innovation in Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ERIAFF) is an open network of 53 member regions and 39 observers from 21 countries, empowering regional authorities to drive innovation in agriculture, food and forestry through knowledge exchange, interregional collaboration and alignment with EU policies. Bioeconomy is a transversal priority across the network's thematic working groups, with members actively collaborating through workshops, interregional projects and policy consultation processes to advance sustainable bio-based innovation at regional level.

This press release was written by CBE JU.