The bioeconomy concept presents an attractive framework for policymakers in Europe, as it holds the potential to foster innovations that match specific community needs with regionally available resources. The SCALE-UP project aims to enhance the capacity and expertise of multi-actor partnerships to accelerate the development of market-ready bio-based products and services while facilitating their successful market deployment. Additionally, SCALE-UP strengthens collaboration among primary producers, SMEs, industry clusters, social actors, and policymakers, promoting a cohesive approach to innovation.

Together with five other EU-funded initiatives, the SCALE-UP project will host the European Rural Circular Bioeconomy Conference (EuRCBC), taking place on 13–14 May in Brussels. This two-day event brings together key stakeholders from local communities, policymaking, industry, and rural regions to explore the approaches and strategies implemented across the six projects.

The SCALE-UP consortium organised a thematic conference in the frame of Bio360, which took place on 5 and 6 February 2025 in Nantes, France. The international trade fair, dedicated to advancing the bioeconomy, drew more than 450 exhibitors and 40+ conferences featuring pioneering solutions in bio-based materials, circular agriculture, and renewable energy. As the coordinator of the SCALE-UP project, Ecologic Institute played a key role in bringing together innovators, investors, farmers, and researchers to discuss sustainable bio-based solutions.

The overall goal of SCALE-UP is to support regional multi-actor partnerships, consisting of private businesses, governments and policymakers, civil society organisations, and researchers in identifying and scaling-up innovative and sustainable bio-based value chains that build on regional resources. Through its approach, SCALE-UP will adapt, implement and evaluate tools to help regional actors to overcome the apparent bottlenecks towards fully exploiting bioeconomy potentials in their region.