Vojvodina is a region with strong agricultural potential and significant biomass availability, but it also faces a complex set of challenges linked to agriculture, renewable energy, and environmental protection. In particular, the region holds untapped potential in areas such as agricultural biomass, while also needing solutions related to depollution, decarbonisation, and more sustainable resource use. Within this context, the RIBES Multi-actor Transformative Forum in Vojvodina brings together relevant expertise to discuss possible solutions and explore how circular bioeconomy approaches can respond to current regional needs.
Since the beginning of the project, the Vojvodina MTF has developed as a multidisciplinary platform that continues to grow as new topics emerge and new actors are identified. It brings together academic, technical, entrepreneurial, civil society, farming, and communication perspectives, creating a space where regional challenges can be discussed through the lens of practical implementation potential. Below, the Vojvodina MTF shares its reflections on the process so far, the main discussions and lessons learned, and the difference the forum is beginning to make in the region.
1. In your view, what are the main bioeconomy-related challenges or needs in your region that the MTF is helping to address?
In our region, the key challenges are multisectoral and connected to areas such as agriculture, renewable energy, and environmental protection, with a particular focus on depollution and decarbonisation. The specific knowledge brought by most, or even all, MTF members helps us create possible solutions that can then be discussed and further elaborated within the forum.
2. Why is the work of the MTF important in your regional context?
The work of the MTF is important because only a multidisciplinary approach can lead to possible solutions for the rising challenges we are facing. In this sense, the MTF represents an appropriate platform for bringing together the relevant experts needed for this process.
3. How does your MTF contribute to RIBES’ wider ambition of supporting inclusive and sustainable bio-based entrepreneurship?
These challenges are presented to the MTF members and defined as the boundaries within which possible solutions should be developed. The experts involved then work to define those possible solutions while taking these boundaries into account. In this way, the MTF contributes to identifying practical pathways that can support inclusive and sustainable bio-based entrepreneurship.
4. How has your MTF developed since the beginning of the project?
As time passed, and as MTF meetings were organised and bioeconomy topics were further elaborated, new ideas emerged regarding who else could be included as new MTF members. Existing members also suggested additional participants during the meetings, depending on the topics being discussed.
5. Which stakeholder groups have been involved, and why has their participation been important?
The MTF has involved academics, technology developers, entrepreneurs, NGO representatives, farmers, and journalists. Academics bring teaching and research potential in the field of bioeconomy. Technology developers contribute their potential to implement new knowledge in innovative bio-based processes and products. Entrepreneurs and NGOs offer relevant expertise and experience linked to implementation potential. Farmers are important as potential implementers of the results, while journalists can help spread the word and support the uptake of new principles in science, technology, and practice.
6. Have you seen any changes in stakeholder awareness, dialogue, or willingness to collaborate through the MTF process so far?
Yes. This has resulted from well-prepared MTF meetings with clearly defined goals and expectations, as well as clearly defined roles for participants in the process. The identification of well-defined value chains with implementation potential has also contributed to this change.
7. What have been the most important discussions, insights, or turning points within your MTF so far?
A key turning point came when the value chains were defined and presented to the MTF members. Once they could see the previously discussed aspects translated into forms of possible solutions, this enabled them to reshape their opinions and suggest even more concrete ideas.
8. Have any specific barriers or enabling factors emerged regarding social entrepreneurship, circular bioeconomy development, or regional value chain development?
Yes. During the discussion of actual barriers and potential solutions, it became clear that the principles of bioeconomy and their links to social entrepreneurship and circular bioeconomy development could themselves provide solutions to these barriers.
9. What would you say are the most meaningful outcomes or lessons learned from your MTF up to this point?
One of the main lessons learned is that solutions to multiple challenges across multiple sectors can be defined through an appropriate social entrepreneurship and circular bioeconomy approach. At the same time, achieving real impact and implementation in practice requires clearly defined and adopted bioeconomy strategies at regional or national level.
10. Has the MTF helped identify opportunities for better governance, stronger cooperation, or better informed decision-making in your region?
At this stage of the project and the MTF meetings, not yet in a strong way. Some aspects have been initially mentioned and tackled, but this is still an area that needs to develop further.
11. Have you seen any signs that the MTF is helping create momentum for more inclusive, socially driven, or locally relevant bio-based solutions?
Of course. Over time, the MTF members have increasingly realised the importance of the topic around which we have all gathered, and they have shown interest in contributing. This is especially true once they saw opportunities for their own main topics to expand into new perspectives and potential activities.
12. Is there one example, moment, or exchange that best illustrates the value of your MTF?
After some time, we realised that perhaps the best, or at least some of the best, experts relevant to bioeconomy in Serbia are included in the Vojvodina MTF. This says a great deal about the value of the forum and the level of expertise it has brought together.
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 is helping transform challenges into opportunities for further regional development. It is already contributing to the creation of possible bio-based solutions, even if a clear strategy is still missing. In this sense, future strategy should perhaps be built on the basis of the solutions that are already beginning to emerge.