The first BioInSouth Forum, organized by SPRING Cluster in the context of the European project BioinSouth coordinated by SPRING, was held on June 5 and 6 at theUniversity of Catania.
It was a high-profile event attended by leaders and experts from various sectors and disciplines from Southern Europe and beyond to discuss and outline R&I priorities in the bioeconomy in relation to the particularities of Southern European regions.
The initiative was also included within the program of the “EU Green Week” as a partner event.
Key messages emerged during the discussion:
There is a Mediterranean circular bioeconomy that needs specific support and aims to build bridges between Europe, Africa and Asia.
The new European Bioeconomy Strategy must be ambitious to strengthen the industrial dimension through a dedicated action plan and stable and consistent legislation.
The Bioeconomy is about collaboration, innovation, competitiveness, inclusion, growth and resilience.
It is imperative to remove current regulatory barriers that impose disproportionate burdens and hinder the development and growth of innovative European technology solutions in the bioeconomy.
It is crucial to promote new models of equitable international cooperation, implementing win-win strategies with countries rich in biomass but poor in technological innovation. Implementing technologies in biomass-producing countries can generate value and jobs there, while providing intermediates for European bio-based industries.
The role of regions in the European Bioeconomy is strategic and should be coordinated at the national and European levels.
BioINSouth aims to become a European policy initiative so that no southern European country is left behind.
Now is the time for action!
The forum was preceded on June 4 by the satellite event “Biotechnology, Energy and Circular Economy: the Role of Southern Italy.” The event, organized in partnership with theMerita Association and the Astrid Foundation, was attended by leading players in the Italian Bioeconomy scene, who will discuss in depth the role of the Mezzogiorno in this scenario.
