Co-Creation Workshop in Ireland: Unlocking Opportunities for Primary Producers in a Circular Bioeconomy
Munster Technological University, through the CircBio Group and Circular Bioeconomy Cluster South West collaborated with the Irish Cooperatives Organisation Society to host a co-creation workshop within the remit of the MainstreamBIO Horizon Europe research project to explore and identify opportunities for small-scale biorefining and nutrient recycling in rural areas, and understand the different supports required to bring some of these opportunities to fruition and closer to market.
Held at the Nimbus Research Centre on the Cork campus of MTU, organisers welcomed stakeholders interested in developing the Irish Bioeconomy. An active and lively series of exercises took place designed to explore what opportunities exist and analyse what supports are currently available within the sector. A total of eighteen stakeholders participated in the co-creation workshop, comprising members of various agricultural cooperatives, members of Ireland’s agri, forestry and marine sectors, researchers, advisors, and company representatives.
Some of the findings from the workshop discussions identified that there is an array of feedstocks available that can be utilised and just as many opportunities exist to exploit and bolster the rural economy. Opportunity areas such as bio-based products from grass, wool and hemp were discussed. Analysing the range of supports available to develop the bioeconomy, attendees identified many positive aspects available within business and technological innovation services as well as the toolkit offered by the MainstreamBIO toolbox. It was noted that farmers currently lack the knowledge and resources to understand the potential of new bio-based opportunities, however it was also noted that farmers are entrepreneurial in spirit and will be willing to embrace a proven business case. Further support is required to help farmers to identify and develop these opportunities, and to ensure the MainstreamBIO supports can deliver the required support to the farmers.
With the unique insight gained from the workshop, work will now move towards developing the final portfolio services, support of new multi-actor groups through provision of business and technological supports, and the realisation of these opportunities through the MainstreamBIO project.
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