Budapest, March 13, 2026 – The INTERREG BIOECO-UP project successfully held its final conference in Budapest, marking a dignified conclusion to a multi-year international collaboration aimed at developing and implementing the bioeconomy in practice. Bringing together research institutes, universities, agricultural chambers, and public authorities, the event highlighted the project’s major achievements and explored future regional opportunities. The conference emphasized strengthening business cooperation, enhancing public policy, raising societal awareness, and advancing sustainable resource management—contributing directly to the competitiveness of local economies and the future planning of the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
The Challenge Behind the Transition
Addressing modern environmental challenges—from climate change to resource depletion—requires more than just a circular economy. To build a truly sustainable future, fossil-based raw materials must be systematically replaced with renewable biomass. The BIOECO-UP project was launched to turn this vision into practical action by building stronger bio-based value chains, increasing public awareness, and helping policymakers recognize the crucial role of biomass in the green transition.
Key Project Outcomes
- Empowering Citizens: The project actively engaged the public to help citizens become informed consumers and producers. Through 17 educational factsheets, DIY instructional materials, 18 national workshops, and hands-on Living Lab initiatives, participants explored innovative bio-based solutions. Major public outreach also included hosting the four-day Bioeconomy Fair at Hungary’s OMÉK exhibition, showcasing pioneering regional companies.
- Supporting the Business Sector: To transform bio-based innovations into viable, market-ready value chains, BIOECO-UP tested cross-sectoral collaboration models across seven transnational pilot initiatives. These efforts yielded a validated, step-by-step methodology and a practical toolbox to guide stakeholders in mapping local potential, designing business models, and scaling sustainable value chains.
- Guiding Public Policy: Mapping the biomass potential of eight participating countries, the project formulated a unified regional vision, strategy, and action plan. Working closely with the BIOEAST Initiative, BIOECO-UP identified key policy priority areas to support the bioeconomy transition within the EU’s post-2027 CAP framework.
Looking Ahead
The final conference not only celebrated completed achievements but also opened space for new partnerships. All publications, toolkits, and educational materials developed during the project remain fully accessible in multiple languages. Moving forward, the established networks will serve as a launchpad for future cross-border collaborations, joint research efforts, and sustainable industrial-agricultural initiatives.
Curious to learn more? Explore our publications, practical toolkits, and final project video on our website to discover how you can shape the bioeconomy!
Project Results for Entrepreneurs, Policymakers and Researchers