MainstreamBIO project, in collaboration with Horizon Europe sister projects RuralBioUp, SCALE-UP, proudly announce the development of a comprehensive Joint Policy Paper that addresses critical challenges and opportunities for advancing a sustainable, circular bioeconomy in rural Europe.

This joint effort reflects a unique collaboration between four leading EU-funded projects, pooling expertise and stakeholder insights gathered from over 20 countries between 2022 and 2025. Together, these projects engaged diverse rural actors – farmers, SMEs, policymakers and researchers – to ensure that the paper not only captures the broad challenges but also provides actionable recommendations rooted in real-world experiences.

The process involved extensive stakeholder surveys, workshops, interviews and participatory events, culminating in a multi-stage drafting and consultation process. Feedback from high-level bioeconomy stakeholders and EU institutions ensured the policy brief is both evidence-based and aligned with the evolving EU bioeconomy strategy framework.

Main Highlights of the Policy Paper

The paper focuses on four key priorities critical for mainstreaming bioeconomy solutions across rural regions:

• Education, Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing | Addressing persistent gaps in technical skills and knowledge, particularly among primary producers, youth, and underrepresented groups, through innovative training and digital platforms.
• Primary Producers and Biomass Mobilization | Empowering farmers and foresters as active participants in bio-based value chains by improving communication, infrastructure and cooperative models.
• Policy Coherence | Enhancing alignment between the EU Bioeconomy Strategy and other key sustainability frameworks such as the Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan, to streamline regulations and facilitate smoother implementation.
• Financial Instruments and Economic Incentives | Identifying barriers to financing small-scale bio-based projects and proposing tailored funding mechanisms, risk mitigation strategies, and investment support for rural innovators.

The paper also features inspiring good practices from across Europe, demonstrating how regional initiatives are driving sustainable innovation and circular business models.

The final Joint Policy Paper has already been published on the MainstreamBIO website. We invite you to dive deeper into these crucial recommendations shaping the future of Europe’s rural bioeconomy by reading it here.

Read it here.

Together, we can turn policy into action and empower rural communities as key drivers of a sustainable bio-based economy.