Within RIBES, the Multi-actor Transformative Forums are a central part of the project’s approach to stakeholder engagement, co-creation, and two-way exchange with local communities. Under Task 5.2, Q-PLAN leads the coordination and support of the MTF process across the participating regions, including the development of the RIBES MTF Operational Manual and the related reporting framework.
By the middle of the project, each region had completed three rounds of MTF meetings, supported by Q-PLAN’s guidance and common methodology. These meetings have helped foster inclusive dialogue and participatory planning across the RIBES regions, bringing together representatives from academia, public authorities, NGOs, farmers’ associations, social enterprises, and rural entrepreneurs.
In this interview, Q-PLAN reflects on the role of the MTFs, the value of the participatory approach, the main themes emerging across regions, and what comes next in the process.
What role do the MTFs play within the wider RIBES project?
We see the MTFs as key platforms for stakeholder engagement, discussion, and collaboration, focused on addressing complex societal challenges by placing participation and deliberation at the centre and enabling systemic transformative change. In RIBES, we implement nine local MTFs based on the Living Lab and Open Innovation concepts, bringing together a broad range of actors, including enterprises, authorities, and other relevant stakeholders, to support the transition towards inclusive circular bioeconomy ecosystems. In this way, the MTFs contribute to strengthening rural development, innovation, and the long-term sustainability of inclusive regional bio-based entrepreneurship solutions within RIBES.
Why was a multi-actor and participatory approach important for RIBES?
For us, a multi-stakeholder and participatory method has been crucial because addressing complex societal challenges and enabling systemic transformative change requires the active engagement of different stakeholders in co-creation processes. Through the MTFs, RIBES encourages discussion, learning, and co-creation governance by involving entrepreneurs, regional and local authorities, civil society organisations, and other key stakeholders. This inclusive approach enables knowledge, needs, and perspectives from different actors to be integrated into innovative activities, fostering the creation of sustainable and socially accepted bio-based solutions. In this way, RIBES strengthens regional ecosystems and supports the transition towards inclusive circular bioeconomy pathways in rural areas.
How has Q-PLAN supported the design and implementation of the MTFs across regions?
We have supported the design and implementation of the MTFs by providing methodological frameworks, guidelines, and operational tools to ensure a consistent approach across regions. More specifically, we developed the RIBES MTF Operational Manual, which includes methodological frameworks, guidelines, templates, internal reporting procedures, and workflows, so that all MTFs operate within the same boundaries and report on their activities according to a shared pattern. We also monitor progress and report activities in order to keep local MTF developments aligned with the targets of the Grant Agreement.
What main themes, needs, or challenges have emerged across the different MTFs so far?
Across the different MTFs, several themes have emerged in connection with inclusive bio-based entrepreneurship and the transition to circular bioeconomy ecosystems. Discussions among entrepreneurs, regional and local authorities, and other relevant actors have mainly focused on exploring opportunities for sustainable bio-based business models while taking into account regional needs and capacities. The MTF process has also underlined the value of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and stakeholder involvement in driving innovation.
Have you observed any important differences between regions in terms of priorities or stakeholder engagement?
In general, the stakeholder engagement process has been similar across the regions, without major differences, as a quintuple helix approach has been followed in all the MTFs. Bringing together actors with different backgrounds has been very important for the development of local actions in the context of circular bioeconomy, social innovation, and green entrepreneurship
What has worked particularly well in the process so far?
What has worked particularly well so far is the co-creation of effective governance models adjusted to local needs and circumstances. These models have been put in place to boost circular bioeconomy activities in each area. In addition, the validation of regional ecosystems and the identification of the most promising bio-based solutions in each MTF area that can initiate entrepreneurial activities have been especially important and will guide the future developments of the project.
What have been the main challenges in coordinating the MTFs?
One of the main challenges has been bringing together different stakeholder groups and deciding on common timelines while trying to maintain a common methodological approach across all regions. Because the MTFs involve entrepreneurs, regional and local authorities, and other relevant actors, maintaining active participation and constructive collaboration among stakeholders with different interests and capacities can be quite challenging. This is why RIBES has put in place shared operational guidelines, common reporting procedures, and structured facilitation. This ensures that all partners carry out the forums within the same framework while still allowing each region to address its own specific needs and opportunities.
Has any moment, insight, or exchange stood out as especially meaningful to you?
All the co-creation and validation activities of our MTF teams have been meaningful to us because they have helped adjust RIBES developments to local contexts. This has allowed the project to generate results across nine different regions and landscapes.
What is the next phase for the MTFs within RIBES?
The next phase focuses on continuing the monitoring of local developments and the ongoing engagement of future MTF members. During this period, MTF managers will use our Sustainable Business Model templates and co-design at least two business models for their regions, based on the most promising sustainable and bio-based solutions identified for each area. These business models will then be adjusted to local contexts and validated by the MTF members in order to reflect commercial impact.
What kind of longer-term value do you hope the MTF process will create in the regions?
In principle, we hope that the main long-term value of the MTF process will be the strengthening of collaboration among entrepreneurs, regional and local authorities, and other relevant actors within regional bioeconomy ecosystems. The participatory approach facilitates constructive discussion, collective learning, and cooperation, helping stakeholders jointly identify opportunities for sustainable bio-based entrepreneurship.
If you had to describe the added value of the MTFs in one short message, what would you say?
For us, the added value of the MTFs lies in bringing together entrepreneurs, regional and local authorities, and other relevant actors to share knowledge and explore new opportunities for inclusive bio-based entrepreneurship, adjusted to local needs such as biomass potential, waste management challenges, and local business opportunities