RIBES partner “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu (ULBS) is leading the charge in bringing the circular bioeconomy to life in Sibiu County. Through the joint efforts of its Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Food Industry and Environmental Protection and the International Relations Department, ULBS hosted a dynamic workshop titled:
“Circular BioEconomy (BCC): Mapping Ecosystems for Good Practices.”
Held at the Rusciori Educational Farm in Șura Mică, the event gathered 62 participants from academia, local and regional authorities, NGOs, farmers, and business representatives. In attendance were stakeholders from ADR Centru, Sibiu County Council, Sibiu City Hall, Boița City Hall, the County Directorate for Agriculture, and the Green Energy Cluster, whose president, Mr. Lajos Vajda, also participated.
The workshop aimed to raise awareness about the benefits of bio-innovation and the circular bioeconomy in the central region of Romania, with a strong emphasis on Sibiu County. Among the key discussions:
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Biomass availability assessments for local circular bioeconomy applications
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Defining a roadmap for implementing supportive measures
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Showcasing good practices and developing local project momentum
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Launching the RIBES Multi-Actor Task Force (MTF) to build long-term community support
Experts shared innovative opportunities, including:
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The Theory of Change to support regional transitions
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Development of biorefineries, biogas/biomethane plants, and bio-based fertilisers from sheep wool
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Sector-specific insights on agricultural, livestock, and forestry biomass availability
Importantly, the workshop also explored synergies with other EU-funded projects, such as Originn (Interreg) and SafeHabitus (Horizon Europe), demonstrating ULBS’s commitment to collaborative, cross-regional innovation.
By fostering dialogue, mapping resources, and bringing together a wide range of actors, ULBS is helping set the foundations for a vibrant, circular bioeconomy in the region—fully aligned with the RIBES mission of transforming rural innovation across Europe.
