European Universities Join Forces to Promote the Bioeconomy – Meetings of the Representatives from Universities Affiliated with the European Bioeconomy University in Brussels and Paris

The Role of Universities in Implementing the EU Bioeconomy Strategy

On 3 November, an event titled “Universities Contributing to the EU Bioeconomy Strategy: Skills and Knowledge Valorization” took place in Brussels, dedicated to the role of higher education in developing a competitive, innovative, and sustainable European bioeconomy.

The meeting was attended by Prof. Michał Zasada, rector of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), representatives of other EBU member universities, and delegates from the European Commission, the industrial sector, and organizations involved in the development of the bioeconomy.

Discussions focused primarily on training specialists to meet the needs of a changing economy; enhancing and updating professional competencies (upskilling and reskilling); knowledge and technology transfer; and strengthening cooperation among universities, industry, and public administration.

An important part of the meeting was a debate on the implementation of the European Union’s new bioeconomy strategy, announced in November 2025, and on the role of research and innovation in the future EU Framework Program (FP10).

The event was attended by representatives of the European Commission: Mirabela Maria Lupaescu from the Directorate-General for the Environment (DG ENV) and Peter Wehrheim from the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD). Nicoló Giacomuzzi-Moore, Executive Director of the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU), presented the perspective on collaboration between science and industry.

The meeting concluded with a panel discussion on the future of applying research findings and academic knowledge to the development of the European bioeconomy, featuring representatives from academia, industry, and the next generation of experts.

New Presidency and EBU Strategic Priorities for 2026-2028

A meeting of the European Bioeconomy University’s governing body is scheduled for 4 November in Paris, in connection with the handover of the alliance’s presidency to the French university AgroParisTech, which will lead its work until November 2028. It takes over this role from the University of Eastern Finland (UEF).

The new presidency’s agenda aims to strengthen the EBU’s position as a key partner for European institutions in shaping bioeconomy policy and to foster scientific, educational, and innovative collaboration among member universities.

Among the proposed priorities for 2026–2028 are:

• Increasing the EBU’s influence on European policies, particularly on the shape of the future FP10 framework program, the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028-2034, and instruments supporting the bioeconomy.
• Developing innovation and entrepreneurship by connecting the innovation ecosystems of member universities, supporting startups, and facilitating technology transfer to the economy.
• Intensifying joint research and educational projects, including the preparation of at least 10 project proposals in 2027–2028, of which at least 3 will be coordinated by EBU universities.
• Developing strategic international cooperation, including with partners outside Europe and other university networks.
• Strengthening the EBU’s visibility as a European center of knowledge and expertise in the bioeconomy.

One of the most important initiatives of the new presidency will be organizing the next edition of the European Bioeconomy Scientific Forum (EBSF), scheduled for October 2027 on the AgroParisTech campus in Palaiseau, near Paris.