As MainstreamBIO marks its second anniversary, we reflect on the remarkable journey and achievements that define the success of our project. Over the past two years, we have made significant steps in advancing the bioeconomy and fostering sustainable development in rural regions across Europe.

From September to February 2023, MainstreamBIO embarked on its initial phase, successfully establishing Multi-actor Innovation Platforms in seven focal regions. Extensive research provided us with deep insights into local contexts, enabling us to understand regional dynamics, stakeholder interactions, and available biomass resources. This work was essential in setting the stage for tailored support services and tools to address the unique challenges and opportunities in these regions.

The second phase, from March to August 2023, saw the implementation of targeted activities designed to support rural actors. Through co-creation workshops, we engaged with local stakeholders to shape the specifications of our digital toolkit and project services. Our workshops facilitated the development of educational resources, accessible through the MainstreamBIO toolkit, aimed at enhancing awareness of the bioeconomic sector in each region.

MainstreamBIO’s active involvement in Rural Bioeconomy Alliance’s (RBA) establishment further underscored our commitment to collaborative efforts for advancing the circular rural bioeconomy in Europe. RBA dedication on accelerating initiatives that promote bioeconomic advancement and sustainability, reflects our shared vision for a greener future.

Throughout the past year, MainstreamBIO has focused on delivering innovation support services to accelerate rural bioeconomy growth. The completion of our 1^st round of Open Call has identified key cases for support services, ensuring that promising projects receive the expert guidance and resources they need. Our capacity-building workshops have been planned and are ongoing, aiming to enhance local actors’ understanding and utilization of the digital toolkit. The MainstreamBIO webinar series, which ran from April 10th to May 16th, 2024, was a significant milestone too. This series provided a comprehensive exploration of the bioeconomy, covering various aspects from introductory concepts to advanced tools and innovations.

As we move into the third year of MainstreamBIO, our dedication to advancing the bioeconomy remains solid. The 2nd round of our Open Call, which began in July 2024, is already underway, offering new opportunities for innovation and collaboration. We also have an exciting array of activities planned, including regional scale-up workshops, mutual learning events, networking sessions, and demo days. These initiatives are designed to build on our successes and continue driving sustainable growth in rural bioeconomy sectors.

We invite you to join us on this journey, celebrate our achievements, and look forward to the future of MainstreamBIO. Together, we can make a significant impact on the bioeconomy and contribute to a sustainable and prosperous future for rural regions across Europe.