Case Studies of Regional Bioeconomy Strategies across Europe

Publication: Case Study
Citation: Charles, David; Sara Davies; Stephen Miller et. al. 2016: Case studies of regional bioeconomy strategies across Europe.

How have stakeholders and citizens participated in the development, implementation and monitoring of regional bioeconomy strategies? How has the involvement of stakeholders and citizens affected the strategies' development, implementation and monitoring? What are good practice examples of stakeholder and citizen participation in national and regional bioeconomy strategies? These and other questions are addressed in this report on regional bioeconomy strategies across Europe, focused on four regional case studies: Scotland, South-West Netherlands, Saxony-Anhalt and Veneto. Ecologic Institute was tasked with researching the Regional Innovation Strategy (RIS) in Saxony-Anhalt (Germany). The report is available for download.

Diverse origin, similar challenges: regional bioconomy strategies

Many regions across Europe have been in the process of developing bioeconomy strategies in recent years. Some of these have been developed as part of wider regional economic development and innovation strategies in addressing the call from the European Commission for smart specialisation strategies. Others have emerged from science or sustainability policy objectives. The aim of the report was to analyse four examples of regional bioeconomy strategies in terms of the nature of engagement, which publics and stakeholders have been involved in the different aspects of the strategies and what lessons can be drawn from the experiences of these regions.

Participation and engegement: Still a lot to learn

The findings from the desk research and the interviews conducted with governmental and non-governmental stakeholders in the case studies showed that there are limited experiences of good practices in public engagement with a set of core triple helix stakeholders (business, science and policy makers. These findings have been discussed with stakeholders in the context of regional workshops.

Ecologic Institute was responsible for the German case study in Saxony-Anhalt.

The report [pdf, 2 MB, English] is available for download.

While regional strategies are mainly driven by business, science and regional governments,there are limited experiences of good practices in the engagement of civil society and the general public across Europe.

Engaging Stakeholders and Citizens in the Bioeconomy

Lessons learned from BioSTEP and recommendations for future research

Year 2018

Publication:Document

Stakeholder and public engagement are key elements of EU policy development, as well as of responsible research and innovation. Over a period of three years, BioSTEP has designed and implemented a wide range of citizen and stakeholder engagement activities regarding the development of Europe's bioeconomy. This paper, edited by Ecologic Institute's Holger Gerdes and Zoritza Kiresiewa, presents a set of research recommendations, which builds on the lessons learned from the application of BioSTEP's participatory tools. The BioSTEP research recommendations are available for download.

Engaging Stakeholders and Citizens in the Bioeconomy

BioSTEP Research Recommendations

Year 2018

Event:Conference

Over a period of three years the BioSTEP project developed participation tools to involve the public in the development of the European bioeconomy. Different types of participation were sought. During the final conference on 22 February 2018 in Brussels, the participation formats and their possible impact as well as the BioSTEP research recommendations will be presented and discussed. Registrations are possible until 15 February 2018.

Effective Stakeholder and Public Engagement in the Bioeconomy – BioSTEP Conference

22 February 2018
Brussels, Belgium

Presentation:Panel discussion

<p>On 23 May 2017 a CommBeBiz webinar featured a discussion with Ecologic Institute's Holger Gerdes and Zoritza Kiresiewa, on the topic "Creating Networks for the Transition to a Bio-based and Circular Economy." They gave deeper insights into recommendations for effective engagement in the bio-based and circular economy. These recommendations were published in a BioSTEP policy paper, which is available online.</p>

Creating Networks for the Transition to a Bio-based and Circular Economy

23 May 2017
Dr. Zoritza Kiresiewa

Publication:Policy Brief

After two years of research and stakeholder consultation, the BioSTEP consortium, led by Ecologic Institute, finalized the BioSTEP policy paper. This paper concludes five recommendations, aiming to support the revision of the European Bioeconomy Strategy. These recommendations were amended and complemented at the BioSTEP Forum, which was held in Brussels in March 2016. The policy paper is available for download.

Creating Networks for the Transition to a Bio-based and Circular Economy

BioSTEP Policy Paper

Year 2017

Event:Conference

<p>The aim of the conference is to present and discuss the results of the stakeholder engagement activities in BioSTEP and its value to the current policy discussions on the bioeconomy and the circular economy. BioSTEP has analysed in three policy workshops the participation processes that are necessary to build and strengthen the new value chains of the bioeconomy. The policy workshops discussed how bioeconomy strategies can be developed in a participatory way, ensuring that the change of economic value chains, necessary for a transition to a bioeconomy, is understood and supported by all stakeholders.</p>

Creating Networks for the Transition to a Bio-based and Circular Economy – BioSTEP Forum

29 March 2017
Brussels, Belgium

Event:Workshop

The Austrian government is currently in the process of developing a strategy for research, technology and innovation to support the emerging bioeconomy. Following this process, the development of a broader strategy is envisaged that comprises further policy domains and sectors. Against this background, the questions arise regarding what role civil society organisations should play in this process and how they can contribute to shaping the further development of the Austrian bioeconomy.

A Bioeconomy Strategy for Austria: The Role of Civil Society – BioSTEP Policy Workshop

20 January 2017
Graz, Austria

Event:Workshop

The BioSTEP policy workshop focuses on local and regional businesses and their role in the regional bioeconomy. It explores a broader model of the bioeconomy (bottom-up, participatory) and discusses how small and medium-sized enterprises, civil-society organisations and further relevant actors can be engaged in the (further) development of a regional bioeconomy strategy in Scotland.

Shaping the Scottish Bioeconomy Together – BioSTEP Policy Workshop

18 - 20 October 2016
Glasgow, United Kingdom

Publication:Document

Janssen, Rainer; Zoritza Kiresiewa; Holger Gerdes 2016: Results of the BioSTEP stakeholder consultation. BioSTEP deliverable 4.1.

Results of the BioSTEP Stakeholder Consultation

Year 2016

Language: English
Authorship: Marius Hasenheit

Dr. Zoritza Kiresiewa

David Charles

Sara Davies

Stephen Miller

Keith Clement

Greet Overbeek

Anne-Charlotte Hoes

Stefan Kah

Chiara Bianchini
Funding: European Commission, Directorate-General Research & Innovation (DG Research & Innovation), International
Year: 2016
Dimension: 80 pp.
Project: Promoting Stakeholder Engagement and Public Awareness for a Participative Governance of the European Bioeconomy (BioSTEP)
Project ID: 2801
Table of contents: Click to show full table of contents

1 Introduction
1.1 Aims of this document
1.2 Methods
1.3 Overview of this report
2 How is the bioeconomy defined in regional strategies?
3 Which institutions are driving the bioeconomy strategies?
4 What forms of governance have been used to establish bioeconomy strategies?
5 What are the objectives of regional bioeconomy strategies?
6 Which stakeholders have been involved in the strategies and how?
7 What has been the role of the public in the strategies to date?
8 Perspectives on challenges and opportunities for engagement in the bioeconomy?
9 References
10 Annex: Regional case studies
- Scotland
- South-West Netherlands
- Saxony-Anhalt
- Veneto
Keywords: Bioeconomy

Climate

Bioökonomie, Participation, Biomass, Biofuels, Bioplastic, Biomaterials, Bioeconomy

Saxony Anhalt, Germany

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Hasenheit, Marius; Holger Gerdes; Zoritza Kiresiewa et. al. 2016: Summary Report on the Social, Economic and Environmental Impacts of the Bioeconomy. Promoting stakeholder engagement and public awareness for a participative governance of the European bioeconomy. Berlin.

BioSTEP project website