The BIO2REG Regionalization Concept provides a practical framework for initiating and developing circular and systemic bioeconomy model regions. It helps regional stakeholders, including regional authorities, farmers, foresters and businesses, to translate global, macroregional and national bioeconomy strategies into actionable, region-specific plans with tangible impacts. The framework provides regions a structured guidance to strengthen regional economies, improve resource efficiency and drive innovation through bio-based and circular solutions. 

A bioeconomy model region is a defined geographical area where circular bioeconomy principles drive innovation, sustainability and community well-being by linking bio-based resources and technologies, stakeholders and strategies. The BIO2REG framework serves as a blueprint for adapting circular bioeconomy practices to each region’s unique strengths and needs, prioritizing key objectives such as sustainable food/feed sectors, fossil resource replacement, resource efficiency, environmental impact reduction and sustainable growth.

The regionalization concept was delivered by BioökonomieREVIER, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany. It is the foundation of BIO2REG’s interventions, implemented through targeted activities across European regions to build stakeholder capacities and enabling them to initiate or further mature their bioeconomy model regions. It addresses critical questions: What are the key characteristics of a bioeconomy model region? What system dimensions (such as agriculture, industry, public policy, research) drive the transition to a regional circular bioeconomy? What role do regions play in this transition? What benefits might it bring, and what regional specificities should be considered? It also outlines how to use the services and tools for regions developed within the project and tailor them to the regional needs. 

• Regionalization concept
• Information about Bioeconomy model regions

One of the central results of the BIO2REG project is the establishment of the BIO2REG Network, which aims to foster regional bioeconomy cooperation by connecting regional stakeholders, promoting innovation, and facilitating the sharing of best practices. Designed as a central hub on the project website, the network serves as a resource repository and a dynamic space for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and stakeholder interaction. 

The BIO2REG Network concept was developed by consortium partner Senior Europa (Kveloce), Spain. It builds on existing bioeconomy initiatives and aims to complement current offerings, fill gaps, and create synergies with other projects and platforms. It stands out by offering specialised stakeholder guides on transition measures and multi-criteria analysis methodologies that link theory with practical bioeconomy implementation and demonstration on the regional level. BIO2REG will also seek to extend and update training content from past projects, ensuring continued access to valuable resources while addressing implementation needs. Through its resources, community spaces, training, matchmaking events, and coordinated events calendar, BIO2REG offers comprehensive support for regions advancing in their bioeconomy transitions, complementing the broader European network. 

The network is open to all upon registration, with a focus on local development agents, public sector representatives, bioeconomy clusters, entrepreneurs, researchers, and civil society.

• Report on final concept of BIO2REG network (available in June 2025)

To support a transition to a sustainable and circular bioeconomy, particularly at the regional level, a normative and comprehensive Multi-criteria assessment (MCA) framework was developed within the BIO2REG project. It quantitatively assesses regional bioeconomy potential through practical, easy-to-use indicators. It serves as a decision-analysis technique that will provide useful and practical information for regional stakeholders to capture multiple potential dimensions of a regionalised, circular bioeconomy. 

The MCA was created to empower non-expert stakeholders to evaluate multiple dimensions of a regionalized circular bioeconomy effectively, offering actionable insights for fostering sustainable development. Toward this goal, an extensive literature review based on academic studies, international and EU reports and strategy, and both previous and ongoing bioeconomy projects identified 897 bioeconomy indicators, grouped into the economy, society, and environment categories. A thorough validation resulted in 41 quantifiable indicators. 

This streamlined approach ensures a focused and practical selection of indicators for evaluating regional bioeconomy potential. This initial MCA framework will be further validated by presenting and discussing the results with experts and regional stakeholders. These discussions are set to ensure that, even though not every indicator may be applicable or relevant for each region, the  framework as a whole is applicable to the different European regions. Based on the initial version of the MCA framework delivered by the Research Institute of Urban Environment & Human Resources at Panteion University Athens, Greece, BIO2REG will develop guides for regional stakeholders to enable them carrying out the MCA for their regions.

• Guide for regional stakeholders to implement regional MCA framework assessment …