Munster Technological University, Kerry Campus’ Circular Bioeconomy Research Group and Mainstream BIO Project will today, launch its webinar series, raising awareness and empowering rural communities to advance the adoption of small-scale bioeconomy solutions.
The MainstreamBIO project, which is funded by the EU via the Horizon Europe programme, aims to accelerate the development of the bioeconomy in rural Europe, emphasising the use of biological resources over less environmentally friendly alternatives.
The project is running across seven EU rural regions, including Ireland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, Spain and Belgium.
It has established multi-actor innovation platforms in each, furnished with a variety of feedstocks, infrastructure, and expertise, co-creating sustainable business model pathways in line with regional policy initiatives, which are free to engage with.
MainstreamBIO also supports 35 multi-actor partnerships to overcome barriers and get bio-based innovations to market with hands-on innovation support, accelerating the development of over 70 marketable bio-based products and services in the regions.
The project has developed a digital toolkit to better match bio-based technologies, social innovations and good nutrient recycling practices with available biomass and market trends, which will also enhance the understanding of the bioeconomy.
The first of its four part online webinar series, titled ‘Empowering Rural and Coastal Women in Innovation and Leadership in Primary Production’, focusing on the critical role women play in advancing the bioeconomy, will be broadcasted online today.
The session will explore the principles of circular bioeconomy, emphasising the importance of primary producers and local communities in fostering sustainable economic, environmental, and social outcomes, the organisers explained.
Through engaging case studies, participants are expected to discover how women in rural and coastal regions are driving innovation and championing sustainable practices in key sectors like agriculture, marine industries, and textiles.
According to MainstreamBio, women lead 33% of farms in Austria and 28.4% in Spain, significantly contributing to rural sustainability in these countries.
The second webinar, titled ‘Women Industrial Leaders in Agriculture, Marine Beauty, and Bio-based Fashion Textiles’, will take place on January 22, and will include a number of keynote speeches from a variety of bioeconomy stakeholders.
The webinar series schedule goes as follows:
- January 15: Empowering Rural and Coastal Women in Primary Production;
- January 22: Women Industrial Leaders in the Bioeconomy;
- January 29: Youth in the Bioeconomy;
- February 5: Empowering Consumers in the Bioeconomy.
Commenting on the Webinar Series, Dragica Grozdanic, Bioeconomy Researcher at Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre, said:
“Empowering farmers, women, youth, and consumers is more than a cornerstone of innovation in the bioeconomy, it is essential for revitalising and sustaining our rural communities.
“By fostering inclusivity and their sustainability, we are not just breathing new life into rural Europe but shaping a brighter future for everyone, everywhere. Together, we can build a more sustainable future for rural and coastal communities.”
Anyone interested in attending the webinar is asked to register their participation in advance on MainstreamBIO’s website.