On February 27^th, 2025, the Beta Testing Validation Workshop, organized by the Region of Central Macedonia through its Department of European Programmes and Synergies and the Department of Industry, Energy and Natural Resources, took place in Thessaloniki. This workshop was part of the HORIZON EUROPE-funded ROBIN initiative, which aims to strengthen regional governance models for Circular Bioeconomy. The event provided a platform to present and evaluate the ROBIN Toolkit, a digital resource through innovative circular approaches.

The primary objectives of the workshop were:

• To introduce stakeholders to the ROBIN Toolkit and its functionalities.
• To collect feedback from regional and interregional stakeholders regarding its usability and applicability.
• To exchange knowledge on Circular Bioeconomy initiatives and best practices.
• To foster networking among organizations engaged in sustainable bioeconomic strategies.

Workshop Agenda and Key Discussions

Opening Session

• The workshop commenced with a welcome address by Dr Vlachos Nicolaos, Head of the General Directorate of Development and Environment, who highlighted the significance of the Circular Bioeconomy in regional policies and the role of ROBIN in promoting sustainable economic models.

Presentation on Circular Bioeconomy

• Ms Kallitsa Pantazi, Robin’s designated contact person together with Eleni Pappa, presented an overview of the Department of European programmes and synergies and shared general information about current European programmes.
• Ms Anthoula Papadopoulou presented an overview of Robin project, its goals and expected impacts as well as the participating European regions and their status on Bioeconomy.
• Mr Dimitrios Vlachos then outlined the current status and strategic initiatives related to Circular Bioeconomy in the Region of Central Macedonia, highlighting the region’s commitment to sustainable practices and resource efficiency.

ROBIN Toolkit Demonstration

• Mr Alexandros Skondras from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki presented the ROBIN Toolkit, explaining its core components:

-A knowledge platform featuring governance models and case studies.

–Innovative tools supporting regional bioeconomic strategies.

–Roadmaps for biomass utilization, policy monitoring, and financing mechanisms.

The session also included an analysis of a survey, reflecting key user insights and recommendations.

Discussion on Best Practices

• Ms Kyriaki Kissa, representative of the Regional Development Fund of Central Macedonia, shared the best practices from previous bioeconomic projects in the region, demonstrating successful applications and potential integration with ROBIN.

Stakeholder Engagement and Workshop Session: a dedicated session facilitated discussions among regional and local stakeholders, providing an interactive platform for participants to share experiences and suggestions for improving the ROBIN Toolkit.

Formation of a Regional Bioeconomy Cluster

• Mr Christos Politis, representative of Q-PLAN, led discussions on the establishment of a Regional Bioeconomy Cluster, aiming to bring together key actors from various sectors to collaborate on sustainable initiatives.

Concluding Remarks and Next Steps: The workshop concluded with a summary of key insights and planned future actions for ROBIN, presented by the Region of Central Macedonia. Participants were also invited to provide final feedback through a satisfaction survey.

Participants Regions and Organizations

The workshop included participation from 4 regions beyond the Region of Central Macedonia, including:

• Region of Central Greece
• Region of Thessaly
• Region of Western Macedonia
• Region of Western Greece

Additionally, several key organizations from within the Region of Central Macedonia participated, including:

• Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
• University of Patras
• Municipality of Thermi
• Municipality of Pavlos Melas
• Centre for Research & Technology Hellas (CERTH)
• Cluster of Bioeconomy and Environment of Western Macedonia (CluBE)
• Regional Association of Solid Waste Management Agencies of Central Macedonia (FODSA)
• Regional Development Fund of Central Macedonia
• Directorate of Development and Environment of Thessaloniki
• Directorate of Development and Environment of Thessaloniki
• Department of European Programmes and Synergies of RCM
• Directorate of Environment, Industry, Energy and Natural Resources of RCM

Key Outcomes

The workshop achieved several significant outcomes:

• Stakeholders gained a comprehensive understanding of the ROBIN Toolkit and its applications.
• Valuable feedback was collected to refine the toolkit before its full implementation.
• The discussion on best practices facilitated knowledge exchange among participants.
• The foundation for a Regional Bioeconomy Cluster was laid, fostering long-term collaboration.

Conclusion

The Beta Testing Validation Workshop provided a crucial step toward ensuring the successful deployment of the ROBIN Toolkit. Through active participation and constructive discussions, stakeholders contributed to enhancing the toolkit’s functionality and usability. The Region of Central Macedonia remains committed to advancing Circular Bioeconomy policies and will continue to engage stakeholders in future initiatives.