Earlier on July 2025, the third meeting of the Greek Multi-Actor Task Force (MTF) of the RIBES project took place in Mytilene, hosted at the Department of Geography of the University of the Aegean. Led by our pilot partners, MedINA, this marked the first in-person meeting of the group following two online sessions.
Participants included representatives from the primary sector, Harokopion University, University of the Aegean, civil society organisations, and regional government bodies.
The focus of the meeting was the evaluation of institutional frameworks and governance structures supporting Circular Economy and Social Innovation in the North Aegean Region, a pilot area for RIBES. Eight key social and economic indicators were explored, including:
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Public participation
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Regulatory frameworks
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Rule of law
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Risk management
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Corruption control
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Support measures for bioeconomy
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Strategic objectives for bioeconomy
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External interventions
A short questionnaire allowed participants to assess the regional governance model, with results used to guide a detailed discussion on how these indicators impact the development of circular bioeconomy (CBE) locally.
Among the central findings:
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Citizen participation hinges on awareness of risks and opportunities tied to bio-waste management.
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Improper handling of agricultural by-products (e.g., olive mill wastewater, sheep wool) leads to pollution but also offers opportunities for value-added solutions.
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The lack of a coherent regional or national strategy for CBE is a major obstacle to innovation governance.
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Successful examples (e.g., transforming olive pits into pellets, pomace oil, furniture) show the potential of rural circular entrepreneurship.
Food Waste Forum Followed
Immediately after the MTF meeting, the 4th Forum on Food Waste Prevention: From Farm to Plate was held in the same venue. Organised by Harokopion University with the support of MedINA and under the coordination of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, this event formed part of the LIFE-IP CEI-Greece project.
There, MedINA presented RIBES as a promising initiative for inclusive and sustainable reuse of agricultural residues in the North Aegean Region, reinforcing the importance of systemic, regional responses to food waste and circular transition.
