On 28/11/2024, Rene Wintjes, a key partner of RIBES, actively participated in the Bioeconomy Regions Summit in Brussels. Organised by the European Forest Institute (EFI) and Bioregions Facility, the event gathered an inspiring line-up of speakers to discuss the future of place-based transformation in Europe’s bioeconomy.
Rene shared his key takeaways from the summit, highlighting several innovative approaches and ideas presented during the event:
- The ActionBook developed by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) was noted as a valuable resource for guiding place-based transformations.
- Inspiring examples of bio-based public procurement from the regional government of Zeeland (NL) showcased practical solutions for advancing the bioeconomy.
- The platform Bioeconomy Austria emphasised the importance of engaging civil society in bio-based initiatives.
- The final session presented relevant networks such as the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) and ERIAFF, underscoring collaboration opportunities for advancing bio-based economies across Europe.
Most importantly, Rene pointed out the noticeable lack of participation from rural regions in Eastern Europe within existing networks, identifying a critical gap that the RIBES aims to address. By focusing on social innovation, RIBES is working to drive place-based transformations in rural areas and foster bio-based entrepreneurship that contributes to sustainable growth.
Rene’s presence in the event highlights RIBES’ commitment to creating inclusive, innovative solutions for rural regions while bridging gaps in bioeconomy participation across Europe.
You can learn more about the Bioeconomy Regions summit and watch all the presentations here: https://bioregions.efi.int/bioeconomy-regions-summit-2024/#presentations
