The primary sector plays a significant role in the economy of Pannonian Croatia, with agriculture and related industries being the most important. The region makes up 40% of the national territory, yet it is among the less developed in Croatia, with GDP per capita about 40% lower than the national average. The share of CBE in the regional economy is relatively high due to the importance of the primary sector. However, the region faces challenges related to the ageing farming population. The region also suffers from a lack of supportive policies for CBE setup and missing linkages between R&D&I and industry and SMEs. Additionally, the region has a low awareness level of stakeholders in primary sectors, which presents a significant challenge for the uptake and growth of the bioeconomy. The preparation of the National Bioeconomy Strategy until 2035 is ongoing. RIBES will support the public sector in directing and monitoring the development of CBE by linking stakeholders, synergizing capacities and identifying obstacles to the uptake and growth of the bioeconomy.