Algen, algal biology centre, llc is SME established in 2010, specialized in the development and system integration of the algae technology systems, providing consulting, algal cultivation, wastewater treatment and engineering services. Working on algal cultivation on waste streams, Algen transforms wastewater into valuable algal biomass, used in diverse applications such as fertilizers, animal feed, and cosmetics. A key innovation is their approach to processing biogas digestate, a byproduct of biogas production, using algae to treat this waste stream effectively while recycling nutrients and CO2.

Due to its dilute nature, liquid biogas digestate poses logistical and agrotechnical issues. The EU's regulations on nitrogen application add to the complexity of utilizing digestate. The innovative solution proposed is the cultivation of algae in the liquid phase of the digestate, recycling energy and nutrients, and producing valuable biomass for various applications, including biofertilizers and biogas feedstock.

Algen's technology offers a sustainable solution for wastewater treatment and an opportunity for new revenue streams through the production of algal biomass and its derivatives. Their approach supports circular economy principles and lowering of carbon footprint. Algal systems can be added as a side-stream in any production without changing the original system or can be self-sustained production systems with or without the greenhouse. For high-grade algae production, Algen is offering raceway pond technology that can be easily installed and maintained at the farm or biogas plant. The system is easily operated, including many automated processes.

Staramaki, a Social Cooperative situated in the rural area of Kilkis, Northern Greece, pioneers an innovative approach to address environmental and social challenges: it transforms a by-product of wheat cultivation into a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic straws. Beyond its ecological mission, Staramaki serves as a catalyst for positive social impact, generating employment opportunities for the local community, fostering local and regional development.

The production process involves the meticulous handling of harvested wheat, which undergoes trimming, washing, sterilising, and drying to craft eco-friendly drinking straws. Notably, these straws do not compromise the taste of beverages and remain resilient, presenting a viable solution in contrast to other available alternatives.

Staramaki's inherently circular business model is further reinforced; residue from the manufacturing process finds a second life as animal bedding for a local horse riding club, ultimately returning to Staramaki as fertiliser for their wheat fields. This natural fertiliser is enriched further by incorporating coffee waste from local cafes, creating an effective and sustainable soil enhancer.

This replicable initiative demonstrates the universal potential of natural wheat straws, offering both environmental and social benefits, showcasing a circular bioeconomy in action. By converting agricultural residue into a valuable input for socially cohesive and environmentally conscious production, Staramaki exemplifies a circular bio-based solution, creating added value and contributing positively to both local communities and the planet.

Sciven, founded in 2012, specializes in small-scale, low-temperature cogeneration for electrical energy. Initially focusing on R&D, the company shifted to biomass-fueled thermal centrals, scalable from 150 to 500 kW per boiler, offering comprehensive engineering solutions. Their 2019 product launch includes biomass-fueled boilers, championing reduced energy expenditure, decarbonization, and complete energy services.

Sciven adopts a circular model, integrating biomass supply, operation, and maintenance for a resilient and sustainable energy economy. Dissemination occurs through network dissemination, project participation, and conferences, targeting public entities, hotels, industries, and energy communities.With a modular design, Sciven's solution adapts easily to diverse energy needs and infrastructures. Local partnerships and community engagement enhance replicability in various geographical contexts.

The company's journey involved research, contest wins, and integration into an acceleration program. Guided by mentors, they shifted from domestic micro cogeneration to a larger-scale solution using biomass-fueled boilers. Challenges included assessing energy consumption practicality and adapting to a dynamic industry landscape, ensuring income generation for a sustainable biomass supply chain.

Aceites Guadalentin, an olive oil producer in Jaén (Andalusia, Spain), faced olive pomace management challenges in the 90s. After almost 30 years exploring different paths, and establishing 2012 their own olive pomace oil plant, they partnered with BIOLIZA in 2018, a gasification tech startup from the University of Jaén. This consultancy company shifted its role to EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) to ensure a good pipelining of the project with Aceites Guadalentín. This pivotal move secured subsidies and implemented a gasification process, converting olive pomace into electricity and obtaining further revenues from bio-products like biochar and olive stones. The remaining olive pomace undergoes solar drying and is sold to energy facilities.

Active exploration of innovations like biogas generation showcases commitment to circularity and the fact that innovation does not stop after doing the first step. The gasification tech's broad applicability addresses by-product management challenges for olive mills, offering economic benefits through multiple revenue streams. Aceites Guadalentín and BIOLIZA set a benchmark for sustainable olive mill practices.

Overcoming challenges included limited gasification knowledge, customer scepticism as being a new technology and first plant of its type, adapting to energy demands, and dealing with the legal permits for settling such singular and unique plant. The experience has proved the reliability and sustainability of the approach, that can be replicated by other companies and also in other sectors.

The Joint Stock Company "Latvia's State Forests" (LVM), established in 1999, primarily focuses on forestry, governed by a council and board representing Latvia's Ministry of Agriculture. Beyond forestry, LVM engages in hunting, recreation, seed production, and subsoil resource marketing. Recognized for technological innovation, LVM addresses challenges like workforce availability through solutions like planting robots and GPS-marked seedlings.

Facing issues of young tree protection from animals, LVM innovatively employs sheep wool, collaborating with local stakeholders to recycle wool into a forest protection product. This circular business model aligns supply and demand, emphasizing sustainability in collaboration with universities.

LVM's commitment to addressing workforce challenges involves consistent innovation and collaboration with researchers and experts. Combining technological devices and biobased solutions, like using sheep wool for tree protection, showcases LVM's dedication to environmentally friendly practices.

Engaged in cross-border learning, LVM fosters knowledge exchange in the forestry community, advocating for alternative practices as standards. The exploration of eco-friendly innovations, such as sheep wool, addresses environmental and labor issues associated with current methods. Research and collaboration emphasize continuous experimentation for sustainable forestry practices

Pustelnia, a family-owned fish farming business since 1980, prioritizes sustainable aquaculture, holding a Fish Welfare Certificate and following the Code of Good Fishing Practice. By 2016, Pustelnia expanded into a diverse entity, including fish farming, processing, a restaurant, shops, and an online store, with 28 employees focusing on stable local markets.

In response to declining fish production, Pustelnia innovatively diversified operations and tripled processing plant capacity to 80 tons. The circular business model engages consumers through a restaurant, shops, and online platforms, reinforcing the farm-to-table concept. Initiatives like FishTrucks and an online store enhance accessibility within a 100 km radius and across Poland.

Pustelnia's success lies in its globally replicable model, integrating fish farming with the entire value chain, expert engagement, and strategic expansion. Lessons learnt include navigating legislative challenges, environmental impacts, and market dynamics for sustainable aquaculture ventures.

Facing declining fish production, Pustelnia upgraded its processing plant, shifted from wholesale to retail, and strategically reassigned organizational roles. A balanced marketing approach and direct deliveries strengthened the farm-to-table concept. Pustelnia's journey demonstrates a sustainable, diversified, and replicable aquaculture model, addressing societal attitudes, protected species limitations, and building local market trust.

NaturePlast, a bioplastics leader since 2007, guide industrial players in bioplastic product development, offering comprehensive support. With Europe's largest bioplastic materials portfolio, it focuses on distribution, by-product recovery, R&D, and training. Innovations include plastic pellet sales, polymer modification, and biomass recovery. Facing challenges like market unfamiliarity, NaturePlast strategically created Biopolynov in 2010 for in-house research and tailored materials.

Commitment to alternatives to conventional plastics includes both origin and end-of-life aspects. Recognition of the company increased with the development of modified polymers with improved thermal resistance. The circular business model adapted to industry trends and regulatory changes. Bioplastics, niche (1-1.5% of global polymer production), show potential growth, especially in luxury goods and cosmetics. NaturePlast's journey started with first willingness to offer alternative materials, evolving into a training hub, improving through R&D. A substantial growth is anticipated in the expanding bioplastics landscape.

Entering the biomaterials market involved development of appropriate technical-commercial proposals, in-house R&D, and equipment investments. Actively sharing experiences, NaturePlast aims to shift mindsets, boost material sales, and address regulatory shifts, emphasizing the importance of adding functionality to materials for sustained success.

In 2014, Delphy and Rusthoeve jointly started the realisation of the Biobased Innovations Garden Rusthoeve with the ambition:
The BioBased Innovations Garden is internationally recognised as the Biobased Delta's breeding ground for innovation in the cultivation and application of new green raw materials in the processing industry.  The Rusthoeve is therefore the place where (agricultural) entrepreneur(s), knowledge institutions and demand from the business community (construction and chemistry) meet and innovations emerge. To this end, knowledge institutes and companies have close ties and branch offices at the Rusthoeve.
This was the first large demonstration field in the Netherlands where several potential raw materials are grown side by side. The Biobased Innovation Garden Rusthoeve has become a place where over 100 different potential biobased crops have been grown in recent years.
After 5 years of biobased garden, including from 2017 within the Interreg Nl/Vl project Growing a Green Future, we have taken many steps to realise this ambition. Analyses have been done on several crops, business cases have been made. The biobased garden is visited by many people every year, including entrepreneurs, farmers and students.  Several research and developments have also been started in cooperation with the business community, such as now on growing Dutch cotton and natural rubber from dandelion.  Hopeful results have been obtained from analyses on wormwoord for insect repellent contents which offers opportunities for arable farming. Also, crops that may have a limited role in the biobased economy but offer opportunities as food such as sweet potato, sorghum and gluten-free amaranth have emerged in the biobased garden sidelines.
 

The BioRural Toolkit is an online repository of bio-based solutions that enables interaction between rural actors, providing the platform to communicate, exchange experience and knowledge, and seek collaborations in the chosen fields of bioeconomy.

Currently, the Toolkit offers information in the following categories:
1)        Factsheets, 
2)        Bioeconomy inventories,
3)        BioRural success stories, 
4)        Online Tutorials.

Other functionalities include:
Interactive Network Map
The aim of this tool is to provide an online space for rural bioeconomy stakeholders to reach others with the aim of facilitating networking and cooperation.

Geoportal
The BioRural Toolkit offers access to a Geoportal, which presents geospatial information available for Europe to be displayed on the map. The information includes: (1) biodegradable municipal waste theoretical potential, (2) food waste theoretical potential, (3) forest theoretical potential, (4) manure theoretical potential, and (5) straw theoretical potential.

The community of interest for ERBN aims to facilitate the knowledge transfer on small scale innovative solutions, already applicable, but not so well known, that habilitate small rural stakeholders (farmers, foresters, small local businesses) in their transition towards full circular and sustainable bioeconomy.

This community has started growing hosted at multi-language BioRural Toolkit (see details in practice abstract PA#18), where any person/key actor can register and create a profile to get value: 
farmers, foresters and local advisors, usually less connected to research and science circles can find selected reliable practices and related forms of business
Technology providers, of small scale solutions, can make their habilitating offer visible, and make it more known
Any user can consult multiple materials: factsheets, success stories, technology solutions, interactive maps (geoportal), courses, etc.
National AKIS key actors can become part of the management structure, and take advantage of ERBN as an alternative channel of transfer

Considering the need to understand the needs for collaboration between the bio-based solutions adopters, more than 46 experts were surveyed which has a long practical experience in one of more Bioeconomy sectors (agriculture and food, forestry and manufacture of wood and furniture, water systems - fishery, aquaculture, manufacture of biomaterials and bio-based products, and bioenergy). The survey has been carried out in March-June 2023. 
According to the survey results, the EU, national, regional, and local government institutions are active stakeholders influencing small-scale producers to convert to bio-based production/ processing as well innovation brokers, agricultural/technical advisors. The specific importance was given to the cooperatives or producer groups and branch business associations, because their help for the members with their products along the entire value chain. Their role is fundamental for the adoption of sustainable farming practices, due to increase of knowledge available about these practices through the technical body of these structures. 
The recommendations from the survey: Encourage Cross-Sector Partnerships between diverse stakeholders; Promote Skill Development and Education by providing education on bio-based solutions, sustainable agriculture practices, and technologies; Establish Collaborative Platforms, such as bio-based innovation hubs or collaborative networks, where researchers, farmers, entrepreneurs, and community members can come together. The analogue of such a collaborative platform is BioRural Toolkit and Network.

Actors involved in the biomass supply chain need new knowledge and skills to accelerate the deployment of innovative, sustainable and circular biobased solutions in rural areas. In 2023, we surveyed farmers and entrepreneurs across thirteen EU member states and North Macedonia to identify their training and advice needs for adopting bio-based solutions. The survey revealed significant differences in the intensity of training and advisory support needs among farmers and entrepreneurs with different demographic and business structure characteristics.
Advisory support was found to be more needed than training in bioeconomy sectors. 
The advisory support is more needed for farmers, food manufacturers, and bioenergy producers than foresters, manufacturers of wood, fishermen and biomaterials producers. 
The training is most needed for farmers and food manufacturers as well as for foresters for manufacturers of wood products and furniture, followed by bioenergy producers. The training is least needed for fishermen and producers of biomaterials and bio-based products. 
Advisory and training support is more needed for natural persons than legal entities. The training is more needed for farmers and entrepreneurs with intermediate education than advanced education. The training support is more necessary for farmers and entrepreneurs from remote rural areas than for those from rural areas close to a city. 
Where you can get the latest knowledge and advice? Collaborate more with educational institutions (vocational schools, colleges and universities). Join existing or create new networks for knowledge-sharing and mentorship networks. For more information please consult the BioRural toolkit.

France is a key player in the European bioeconomy, contributing 18% to the continent's agricultural production. With 28 million hectares dedicated to diverse crops and the largest EU cattle herd, generating €72.8 billion in annual revenue, France's agriculture sector is a major force. Forests, covering over 16 million hectares, and fisheries and aquaculture, with an exclusive economic zone of 10.2 million square kilometers, also play pivotal roles. The biobased chemicals and materials sector provides around 25,000 jobs, while bioenergy constitutes 60% of renewable energy production. Waste management, employing 120,000 people, contributes approximately €17 billion annually.

Looking ahead, the French bioeconomy has the potential to create over 90,000 jobs in the next two decades. The education sector, with approximately 800 establishments, is prepared to adapt to meet the rising demand for skilled workers in emerging bioeconomy sectors. The country laid the groundwork for a comprehensive bioeconomy strategy in 2015, involving key ministries, to address market realities, promote sustainable biobased solutions, and engage in societal dialogue. Therefore, France stands as a bioeconomy leader, leveraging its vast biomass potential across agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and more, with a strategic vision for a sustainable and innovative future.

The German government defines the bioeconomy as the production, use and application of biological resources, processes and systems to provide products, processes and services across all economic sectors as part of a future-oriented economy. The current national bioeconomy strategy focuses on "sustainability" and "climate action" as key issues for economic activity. It links the ecologically sustainable consumption of natural resources with economic prosperity and the right to future development of future generations. 
In Germany, 3.1-3.6 million people are employed in the bioeconomy. This corresponds to about 9 % of all employed persons in the total economy and generates between 165 and 265 billion euros. 
The current Bioeconomy Strategy centers on sustainability and climate actions as the key issues of economic action to avoid considerable damage to the biosphere ending all live on earth. 
The strategy builds on the National Research Strategy BioEconomy 2030 and the National Policy Strategy Bioeconomy in order to bundle the various political strands into a coherent framework. 
With the Strategy, the German Federal Government wants to mirror global responsibility for future generations. Biological knowledge and advanced technology are main pillars of the National Research Strategy BioEconomy 2030. An essential part of research is technical-innovation in combination with social, political and economic research to accompany the profound societal transformation process. The research focus is on diverse organism and biological processes  
The National Policy Strategy on Bioeconomy relates to the raw materials used by industry and the need for a sustainable and circular economy based on the use of biogenic resources.

The Danish Bioeconomy sector encompasses the food and agriculture sector, forestry, water, bioenergy and biomaterials sector employing 166,300 people and an added value of €17.4 billion.
The largest bioeconomy sector in Denmark in terms of added value is bio-based chemicals, pharmaceuticals etc. with €6.1 billion added value. In terms of employment the agriculture and food sector is accounting for the majority. Agriculture is employing 60 thousand and food industry is employing 59 thousand people.
The Danish bioeconomy is still largely dependent on linear production systems though increasing focus and efforts are being made towards circular sustainable production systems. For the agriculture and food sectors there is a focus on reducing the import of feed and ingredients and instead increase the production of local alternatives that can replace the import.
In recent years, the pharmaceutical sector has grown significant and become a large and very important part of the Danish economy.
Examples of bio-based solutions from Denmark:
CBIO Aarhus University Centre for Circular Bioeconomy. https://cbio.au.dk/en/ 
Green protein to replace soy in feed. https://ausumgaard.dk/ 
Danish Marine Protein. https://www.vja.dk/vores-gronne-omstilling/danish-marine-protein/
EcoCocon straw panels. https://https://ecococon.eu/dk/ 
Sound barriers made from wood. https://pilebyg.dk/en/accoustic-barriers-and-sound-barriers/.
Ny Vraa Willow compost. https://nyvraa.dk/pilekompost/ 
For more information, please consult the BioRural toolkit. 

Poland has a strong potential in the production of raw materials for bioeconomy, especially from agricultural and forestry sectors. It has leading position in EU regarding the largest utilised agricultural area, and one of the largest areas of wooded land and growing stock of forests.

Agricultural biomass represents the greatest potential for the Polish bioeconomy. Plant production is the main branch of Polish agriculture, comprising mainly cereals (7,410,500 ha) and oil plants (1,039,300 ha). An important element of plant production is also the vegetable and fruit growing.

Poland has a large residual biomass potential. The surplus of straw, taking into account the local straw-manure exchange between farms, amounts to 7,199.2K t. The total potential of manure from livestock farms amounts at 11M t. Agri-food processing also generates large amounts of organic waste that can be used in the production of biofuels, animal feed or nutrient recovering.

Aquaculture sector, recognized by the European Green Deal as a source of “low carbon” protein for food and feed, represents 0.2 % of value added in Polish bioeconomy.

There is still unused potential in the majority of bioeconomy sectors in Poland, for instance, renewable energy sector development. The biomass streams from agriculture, forestry and hunting, fisheries & aquaculture offer adequate potential for advanced energy use. Although several national policies refer directly or indirectly to the bioeconomy, Poland is still in need of a dedicated strategy for bioeconomy development, to adequately use the untapped potential of the above sectors.

The Biobased Economy occupies an important place in the circular economy and is an extensive and joint task for government, industry and knowledge institutions. It offers new opportunities for business and could become one of the spearheads of the national economy. Especially as the Netherlands is strong in chemicals, agro-food and logistics, the Biobased Economy is one of the ways in which the Netherlands can achieve green growth.

Thanks to its well-developed agricultural, transport and chemical sectors, the Netherlands has laid a very solid foundation for developing a successful bio-economy. Existing sustainability agreements between these sectors under the Top Sector Policy and the energy transition provide solid guidance for the development of the bio-economy.

Lithuanian bioeconomy generated about EUR 4.2 billion of value-added and employed around 174 thousand people in 2020. The bioeconomy accounts for nearly 7% of Lithuania’s GDP. Lithuania is one of the EU countries that is most self-sufficient in biomass. The agriculture and food industries, as well as the manufacture of wood products and bio-based furniture are the largest bioeconomy industries (altogether generating about 80% of the total value added and providing 85% of the total employment in Lithuania’s bioeconomy).
In recent years, several national policies promoting the development of the bioeconomy have been prepared, including the National Energy and Climate Action Plan of the Republic of Lithuania for the years 2021-2030, the Lithuanian National Strategic Plan of the CAP (2022), and Lithuanian Smart Specialization (2022). 
Knowledge of Lituania's bioeconomy status and the success of small-scale biobased solutions will help farmers, entrepreneurs and policymakers to transition to a circular bioeconomy in rural areas. For more information please consult the BioRural toolkit. 
Examples of these solutions include Garlic Moon (a family business that ferments garlic and produces food products from black garlic), Agaras (a company that produces high-quality beef and recycles the waste from cattle slaughter and processing into biogas), Acheta (a family business that grows crickets and processes them into food products), Amberry, (an organic family farm that grows sea buckthorn, produces juice food additives from berry pomace).
 

The Latvian Bioeconomy sector encompasses the food and agriculture sector, forestry and wood production, bioenergy and biomaterials sector employing 124 600 people and an added value of € 2.8 billion.
The largest bioeconomy sector in Latvia in 2020 was the ‘forestry and wood production’ sector with € 1.3 billion added value (making 46.3% of total value added) and employing 45.96 thousand people. Currently, Latvia ranks 4th among European countries in terms of forest area per person.
In 2020, another large bioeconomy sector 'food and agriculture' employed 69.62 thousand people, making 44.5% of total number of people employed in all bioeconomy sectors. Value added per person employed in this sector amounted to € 18 thousand in 2020. Currently, Latvia ranks 2nd among European countries in terms of agricultural land area per person.
Examples of small scale bio-based solutions from Latvia:
Research Institute of Agronomy: [Small-scale investment agroforestry systems]
AS “Smiltenes piens”:[Producing milk whey protein drink from production residues]
SIA “Valmiermuižas alus”: [The use of ladder in the production of food products]
SIA “Eco Zeme”: [Processing organic waste to create earthworm compost – biohumus]
AS “Biolat”: [Pine and spruce needles are processed into extracts and concentrates of extractive substances]
SIA “Field and Forest”: [Essential oils and extracts production from plant processing residues]
SIA “Aloja Starkelsen”:  [Production of organic potato starch]
AS “Madara Cosmetics”:  [Cosmetics of  extracts of natural origin plants grown in the Baltics]

The Spanish Bioeconomy sector encompasses the food and agriculture sector, forestry, water, bioenergy and biomaterials sectors, which employ in total 1.44 Millon people, generating an added value of €69 billion. Spanish Bioeconomy market represents near 6 to 7% GDP, and 9% of total national employment.
The main bioeconomy sector in Spain (according to turnover) is the food, feed and beverages (55.8%) and agriculture (23.5%) sectors accounting also for the majority of biomass supply and use. 
Forest and shrublands represent 50.1% of the Spanish surface, being agriculture 47.1%. However forestry represents barely 1% of Spanish turnover. Bioeconomy growth brings a good opportunity for revitalising this sector. 
In general bioeconomy trend is growing, though a deceleration occurred after 2008 (due to the Global Financial Crisis – GFC), recovered shortly afterwards in terms of turnover figures. 
Rural areas, sourcing the forestry and agriculture product, are currently facing the challenge of the aged population. Bioeconomy growth is a opportunity for these areas.

Nestled along the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal boasts a wealth of natural resources, fertile agricultural lands, and a dynamic marine ecosystem, providing a fertile ground for a thriving rural bioeconomy. This burgeoning sector harnesses biological resources to produce a diverse range of products and services, positioning Portugal as a frontrunner in sustainable development.

Driven by innovation and investment, Portugal's bio-based industry is experiencing remarkable growth. A surge of bio-based companies is emerging, developing cutting-edge products and processes utilising biological resources. These companies are leveraging Portugal's strong scientific and technological base, as well as its access to raw materials and potential markets.

Government initiatives like the Sustainable Bieconomy Action Plan (SBAP) are also actively supporting bioeconomy development, providing financial incentives and regulatory frameworks to encourage bio-based businesses and research. The bioeconomy's potential to generate employment, reduce environmental impact, and promote social equity is undeniable. As Portugal continues to invest in innovation and collaboration, the bioeconomy will undoubtedly play a transformative role in shaping the country's economic landscape and contributing to a healthier, more sustainable future.

The Italian bioeconomy, faces a variety of challenges.

A complex and sometimes contradictory regulatory frameworks is slowing down innovation and investment in bio-based industries.

Problems in securing adequate funding for bio-based research, development, and commercialization projects is challenging due to economic constraints bureaucratic hurdles and unawareness of financial institutions.

There is a need for greater collaboration between research organizations, industry, and government to accelerate the development and commercialization of bio-based technologies and products.

Addressing these challenges will require coordinated efforts from policymakers, industry stakeholders, research institutions, and civil society to create an enabling environment for the sustainable growth of Italy's bioeconomy.

The Biorural toolkit could be a starting point to work on reducing some of the problems and to raise awareness on stakeholders and policy makers.

The Slovenian bioeconomy, which was worth €3 billion in 2020 and employed 115.8 thousand people, is characterised by a small-scale and fragmented production structure in primary sectors with low labour productivity. The same applies to the conventional manufacturing industry, which mainly operates in the SME sector. The potential for value creation from residual materials and by-products in production, processing and consumption remains largely untapped. 
Building a resilient, circular and sustainable bioeconomy requires a broad public consensus on the strategic importance of the bioeconomy and institutional consolidation. Recently established Slovenian Bioeconomy Hub will serve as dynamic platform for collaboration, innovation, and knowledge transfer, supporting the development of national bioeconomy and creating opportunities for more complex (cross-sector) value chains and business models that enhance biomass flows along the value chain.
Despite currently lacking dedicated national Bioeconomy strategy and Action Plan, Slovenia has many policies addressing the bioeconomy. Among national strategic documents, the following can be pointed out: Slovenian Sustainable Smart Specialisation Strategy 2021–27 (MGRT, 2022), Slovenian Development Strategy 2030 (Šooš, 2017), Slovenian Industrial Strategy 2030 (MGRT, 2021), Comprehensive National Energy and Climate Plan 2030 (Celoviti nacionalni energetski in podnebni načrt Republike Slovenije, 2020), and National Development Strategy of Agriculture and Food System (MKGP, 2021). Bioeconomy is also strongly represented in the major inter-ministerial initiative, called Comprehensive Strategic Project for Decarbonising Slovenia. 

Romania is a country endowed with a large variety of natural resources (forests, natural gas, fertile agricultural lands—7.5% of utilized agricultural area in EU—brown coal and lignite, crude oil, salt, mineral, silver, gold, and hydrological networks). The country has a pronounced rural and agrarian profile. 
Agriculture and the forestry sectors are the biggest producers of domestic biomass. The bioeconomy is the sector that is the most  important in terms of  share in  the  active population. However, the  economic sectors that produce primary bioresources (agriculture,  forestry  and fishing) and the  industries that are processing  these  bioresources  with relatively low added value predominate.
While the availability of biomass from primary sectors or production processes is a strong asset, its logistics are challenging in each of the sectors. 
A strategy on bioeconomy has not yet been released, but there are various policy initiatives towards bioeconomy. Romania recognizes the importance of bioeconomy and the necessity of finding the optimal balance between meeting the food needs of a growing population and the increasing demand for biomass for chemicals and energy.

North Macedonia is an agriculture oriented country. In 2021 agribusiness contributed 7.6% to the GDP and with 11.5% in the overall employment, including agriculture, forestry and fisheries. 9.6 % of North Macedonia's total exported goods were agricultural and food products mainly to the EU (50.6 %) and CEFTA countries (32%). 47.5 % of the country's total agricultural imports were from the EU and 17.6 % from the UK.

There are approximately 1.1 million ha of forests in North Macedonia distinguished by a high biodiversity, low quality and slow yearly growth. Around 90% of them are deciduous. The public enterprise "National Forests" controls over 90% of the forestland on behalf of the government and the remaining forest area is privately owned. More than 70% of forests are coppiced. A very substantial portion of the area classified as forestland is a Mediterranean-style forest with smaller trees and plants.

Fish production and catch are based on aquaculture production (92.9%), commercial fishing (5.8%) and recreational fishing (only 1.3%). In 2021 1 815 million fish eggs were produced and juvenile fish with a total weight of 132 403 kg. Of the fish species, rainbow trout is the most bred in the country. The most utilized methods of fish farming are fishponds (10655 ha), cages (6625 m3) and tanks and raceways (9980 m3).

Biomass in North Macedonia is an independent energy source and accounts for 6% of the total primary energy production in the country. The most used biomass resource in North Macedonia is wood. North Macedonia has great potential for using biogas from animal manure and vegetable crops.

North Macedonia`s bio-based industry is in its very early stages of development with very few small-scaled bio-based production capacities.

The Greek Bioeconomy sector encompasses food and agriculture sector, forestry, water, bioenergy and biomaterials sector employing 672,000 people and an added value of €12 billion. The main bioeconomy sector in Greece is food and agriculture accounting for the majority of biomass supply (around 90%) and use (for food and feed) as well as employment and turnover. These are still largely dependent on linear production systems though increasing efforts are being made towards the sustainable use towards sustainable production.
Several policies have been developed supporting bioeconomy including the Greek Smart Specialization Strategy, The Greek National Strategy on Circular Economy, The National Energy and Climate Action Plan for 2030 and the 2050 Roadmap
Improved knowledge on the status of the bioeconomy in Greece, its trajectory and associated innovations will help citizens, entrepreneurs and policy makers to transition to a circular bioeconomy, for more information please consult the BioRural toolkit. There are a range of rural small scale success stories and biobased solutions already available in Greece, studying these and the lessons they provide can provide valuable practical lessons for entrepreneurs and policy makers and support the transformation of the Greek economy.
Examples of these solutions include Klimis (a company producing bio-briquettes from olive kernels), Staramaki (a social enterprise producing drinking straws from natural wheat stems), ESEK (a local energy cooperative that produces its own pellets), Kafsimo (an innovative coffee waste collection system in Thessaloniki), BlueCycle (initiative that reuses plastic waste), Liofyllo (company that produces biobased materials from olive leaves).

The European bioeconomy is one of the EU’s largest and most important sectors encompassing agriculture, forestry, fisheries, food, bioenergy, and bio-based products with an annual turnover of around 2 trillion euros and employing around 18 million people. The EU bioeconomy is transforming from an economy based on linear economic models to circular economic models; however, this transformation is still at its early stages and will require the transformation of existing production systems and value chains as well as the creation of new innovative value chains.

There is considerable variation in the types and geographic availability of biomass across the EU. The total production of biomass in the EU consisted of around 1.1 billion tons of dry matter of which 95% is produced locally and 5% imported with Agriculture being the biggest supply sector.

In recent years EU policy has become very supportive of the development of a sustainable EU bioeconomy and the updated EU bioeconomy strategy operates in parallel to multiple other policy initiatives such as the new CAP, Green Deal, Farm to Fork strategy and circular economy action plan. 
Improved knowledge on the status of the bioeconomy in the EU, its trajectory and associated innovations will help citizens, entrepreneurs and policy makers to transition to a circular bioeconomy, for more information please consult the BioRural toolkit. There are a range of materials available through this toolkit designed to provide users with knowledge and practical support for developing a circular bioeconomy based businesses. These materials include factsheets, bioeconomy inventory, success stories and educational materials as well as a network of bioeconomy stakeholders.