The Pannonian Region in Croatia has strong potential for circular bioeconomy development, particularly through its agricultural base and the availability of biomass and by-products. At the same time, the region faces several challenges, including underutilised agricultural residues, limited regional bio-based value chains, and the still insufficient integration of social innovation into bioeconomy development. In this context, the RIBES Multi-actor Transformative Forum provides a space where different actors can come together to explore practical and locally relevant solutions.
Since the beginning of the project, the Pannonian MTF has developed as a broad and inclusive platform that connects research, policy, practice, civil society, and entrepreneurship. Its work has helped deepen dialogue around regional bio-based value chains, strengthen cooperation across sectors, and identify realistic opportunities for circular bioeconomy development in the region. Below, the Croatian MTF manager reflects on the process so far, the main lessons learned, and the difference the MTF is starting to make.
1. In your view, what are the main bioeconomy-related challenges or needs in your region that the MTF is helping to address?
In the Pannonian region, the key challenges include underutilised agricultural residues, limited regional bio-based value chains, and insufficient integration of social innovation into bioeconomy development. The MTF helps address these challenges by bringing together diverse stakeholders, including farmers, SMEs, research institutions, and civil society, to co-develop practical and locally relevant bio-based solutions.
2. Why is the work of the MTF important in your regional context?
The MTF provides a structured platform for dialogue, experimentation, and co-creation. It is important in helping align local initiatives with national and EU-level bioeconomy strategies, while also enabling knowledge exchange and creating momentum for circular bioeconomy practices that are both socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable.
3. How does your MTF contribute to RIBES’ wider ambition of supporting inclusive and sustainable bio-based entrepreneurship?
Our MTF contributes to this wider ambition by identifying high-potential value chains, such as grape and wine residues and agro-pellets, fostering collaboration across sectors, and bridging research, policy, and practice. In this way, it helps create the conditions for more inclusive and sustainable bio-based entrepreneurship in the region.
4. How has your MTF developed since the beginning of the project?
The inclusion process for the Pannonian MTF was initiated directly within the RIBES project. We began by systematically identifying and contacting organisations that could contribute to a multi-actor discussion on agricultural biomass, sustainable production, and the development of regional bio-based value chains. Although many of these organisations are based in Zagreb, their national role made their participation highly relevant for a Pannonian MTF. Over time, this process developed into a broad, relevant, and authentic multi-actor group through targeted outreach, open invitations, and cross-project cooperation.
5. Which stakeholder groups have been involved, and why has their participation been important?
The MTF has involved research institutions, the Croatian Chamber of Agriculture, the University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, civil society organisations, several departments of the Ministry of Agriculture, agricultural consultants, smaller entrepreneurial actors, and grassroots organisations. From the beginning, we wanted to ensure that the forum was not limited to institutions and policy actors, but also included voices representing social innovation, early-stage entrepreneurship, and local rural communities. This has been important because bioeconomy development in the Pannonian region requires not only technical expertise, but also community engagement, social acceptance, practical advisory perspectives, and innovative business thinking.
6. Have you seen any changes in stakeholder awareness, dialogue, or willingness to collaborate through the MTF process so far?
Yes. Through the MTF, stakeholders have shown increased awareness of circular bioeconomy opportunities, a greater willingness to share knowledge, and more openness to collaboration. Farmers and SMEs have become more engaged in identifying viable local bio-based value chains, while researchers and policy actors have developed a better understanding of practical barriers and opportunities.
7. What have been the most important discussions, insights, or turning points within your MTF so far?
The most important discussions and turning points have centred on identifying and prioritising high-potential bio-based value chains. After extensive stakeholder dialogue, the group agreed to focus on grape and wine production residues because of their availability, consistency, and current underutilisation in the region. Other important insights included the potential of agricultural and aquaculture by-products, such as agro-pellets, sheep wool, and freshwater fish residues, for circular bioeconomy applications. These discussions helped guide the MTF towards realistic and locally relevant solutions by balancing technical feasibility, economic potential, policy alignment, and social impact.
8. Have any specific barriers or enabling factors emerged regarding social entrepreneurship, circular bioeconomy development, or regional value chain development?
Yes. Barriers identified through the process include limited participation from SMEs and farmers, a lack of infrastructure for biomass processing, regulatory complexities, and underdeveloped markets for new bio-based products. At the same time, several enabling factors have also emerged, including strong stakeholder motivation, the availability of residues, support from RIBES and CROBIOHUB, and international collaboration.
9. What would you say are the most meaningful outcomes or lessons learned from your MTF up to this point?
The most meaningful outcomes so far include the establishment of a multi-stakeholder platform with inclusive participation, the clear prioritisation of high-potential value chains, enhanced dialogue between technical, social, and policy actors, and a stronger recognition of both the practical and strategic needs linked to regional bioeconomy development.
10. Has the MTF helped identify opportunities for better governance, stronger cooperation, or better informed decision-making in your region?
Yes. The MTF has created a structured space for dialogue between research institutions, policy actors, civil society, farmers, and SMEs. Through this process, we have been able to identify priority value chains with high regional potential and discuss practical challenges and opportunities for circular bioeconomy development. This has strengthened cooperation, informed local bioeconomy strategies, and highlighted areas where better governance, policy alignment, and infrastructure support are needed.
11. Have you seen any signs that the MTF is helping create momentum for more inclusive, socially driven, or locally relevant bio-based solutions?
Yes. The MTF is helping create momentum by fostering a waste-to-value approach that integrates small producers into circular bio-based value chains. This strengthens peer-to-peer learning, enhances community engagement, and encourages socially relevant innovation linked to local realities.
12. Is there one example, moment, or exchange that best illustrates the value of your MTF?
One moment that illustrates the value of the MTF was the decision to prioritise a value chain based on grape and wine production residues. Although the value chain itself is being developed by private actors, the discussions and assessments within the MTF were instrumental in recognising it as a high-potential opportunity. This shows how the MTF can guide regional stakeholders towards realistic and impactful bio-based solutions by combining knowledge from research, policy, and practice, even when the actual development takes place externally.
13. If you had to explain in two or three sentences what difference your MTF is making in your region, what would you say?
The MTF has created a platform where diverse stakeholders collaborate to transform underutilised agricultural residues into higher-value bio-based products. It strengthens local bioeconomy skills, fosters inclusive entrepreneurship, and promotes sustainable circular solutions that can benefit both the environment and regional communities