Open call: Bridging forest bioeconomy innovators and finance

Are you developing a forest bioeconomy project with strong potential and looking to finance the next step?

Published 20 May 2026 By Rodrigo Mendes

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A new opportunity is now open for European forest bioeconomy innovators and project developers seeking expert feedback on bankability and next steps toward attracting public or private finance.

Supporting forest bioeconomy innovators on their investment journey

The Forest Bioeconomy Investment Accelerator (FBIA) is a focused, high‑level initiative designed to help innovative forest‑ and bioeconomy‑related projects strengthen their investment readiness and financing prospects.

Organised by the European Investment Bank Group (EIB Group), EFI, and the EFI Bioregions, the Accelerator responds to a growing demand for more hands‑on exchanges between project developers and investment experts.

Open call for projects

Promotional banner showing a forest canopy viewed from below on the left, with large orange upward arrows symbolizing growth. On the right, text reads “Forest Bioeconomy Investment Accelerator – Open Call for Projects” with a megaphone icon, followed by “Supporting forest bioeconomy innovators on their investment journey,” and logos of the European Investment Bank, EFI, and Bioregions labelled “Organised by.”

FBIA invites applications from forest and wider bioeconomy projects at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 or above, which are willing to engage in focused discussions on finance and investment readiness.

Eligible projects may cover areas such as sustainable forestry, forest restoration, climate adaptation, nature-based solutions, ecosystem services, circular bio-based value chains, innovative wood-based materials, and forest project aggregation and investment platforms.

Selected projects will

receive structured feedback from EIB Group experts and financial practitioners on bankability and investment readiness;
gain insights into EIB eligibility criteria and financing instruments; and
connect with a growing community of forest bioeconomy innovators and financiers.

Approximately 10 projects will be selected to pitch their work at the FBIA event. A limited number of projects may be considered for follow-up advisory support, depending on their maturity and alignment with EIB advisory instruments.

Check out the open call website for further details on thematic focus, investment orientation, eligibility and participation.

Interested parties can attend an information webinar on 20 May 2026 to learn more about the process and ask questions before submitting their applications by 19 June 2026 (deadline extended).

About the Forest Bioeconomy Investment Accelerator (FBIA) event

The one‑day FBIA event will take place on 25 November 2026 at the EIB office in Brussels and is by invitation only. The event will bring together selected project developers and invited stakeholders from across Europe’s bioeconomy and finance ecosystem for project presentations, expert discussions, and shared learning on investment pathways.

For questions or to express interest in receiving the outcomes of the FBIA event or in attending, please contact us at bioregions @ efi.int.