Fostering Collaborative Bio-Based Solutions in Rural Areas

The survey of 46+ experts in bioeconomy sectors—agriculture, forestry, fisheries, biomaterials, and bioenergy—reveals that collaboration is essential for advancing small-scale bio-based solutions in rural areas. Key stakeholders include cooperatives, local governments, innovation brokers, and technical advisors. Experts emphasize the role of producer organizations in enabling knowledge sharing and innovation adoption. Strong partnerships with scientists and institutions are vital for technology development. Recommendations include fostering cross-sector partnerships, enhancing education and training, and establishing collaborative platforms like innovation hubs and the BioRural Toolkit and Network. The project is funded by the European Union.