On May 13th and 14th, the ROBIN Project, in collaboration with five other Horizon Europe projects – MainstreamBIO, SCALE-UP, BioRural, BIOMODEL4REGIONS, RuralBioUP – all members of the Rural Bioeconomy Alliance, hosted its Final Event, the European Rural Circular Bioeconomy Conference. The event took place at Comet Louise in Brussels, Belgium. Serving as a pivotal milestone for the ROBIN Project, which will officially conclude in August 2025, the conference aimed to drive innovation, shape impactful policy recommendations, and highlight practical bioeconomy solutions across Europe.
Starting with two remarkable keynote speakers, each bringing valuable insights to the forefront of the bioeconomy discussion. Michael 
Losch, Principal Administrator and Coordinator for bioeconomy in DG Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission, provided a comprehensive look at the future of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, offering key perspectives on its evolution and the role it will play in shaping sustainable policies for the future. Marco Rupp, Deputy Executive Director at Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC), and also one of ROBIN’s Advisory Board Members, followed with an in-depth exploration of the business and financial opportunities emerging within the bioeconomy sector.
Following these insightful speeches, a dynamic “fire pitching” session was held, where the hosting projects had the opportunity to present its scope, goals, and progress in a concise and impactful manner. All attendees understood the key achievements and future directions of the various initiatives, focusing on the innovative work being done across the bioeconomy sector.
After a refreshing coffee break and a lot of valuable information shared, the conference continued with a promising panel discussion titled “Diverse Perspectives on Bioeconomy”. The panel explored and discussed in detail how the various approaches within the bioeconomy can complement each other, ultimately strengthening and advancing the EU’s bioeconomy agenda. Experts from different sectors exchanged their viewpoints, highlighting the importance of collaboration across industries to create a more sustainable, resilient and impactful bioeconomy.
One of the most impactful and worth mentioning moments of the conference was the second session, titled “Tools for Advancing the EU’s Bioeconomy”. This session focused 
on the tools and resources developed to support local communities, policymakers, and entrepreneurs in adopting and implementing sustainable bioeconomy practices. Panelists discussed and showcased some of the innovative tools – developed through the hosting projects – aiming to bridge the gap between policy and practice, and empower rural stakeholders for transforming the bioeconomy landscape across Europe.
The panel discussions concluded with an inspiring final session titled “Inspiring Change Through Success Stories”. In this engaging panel, representatives from various European regions shared compelling and successful case studies showcasing how they implemented bioeconomy practices tailored to their local needs. These real-world cases highlighted innovative solutions that not only drive sustainable development but also cultivate regional growth and resilience.
Finally, the event concluded with a memorable moment: the official signing of the Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) among the ROBIN regions – Andalusia, Žilina, Central Macedonia, the Southern Regional Assembly, and Baden-Württemberg. This signature marked a significant step toward strengthening cross-border cooperation, and reinforcing a shared commitment to advancing the rural circular bioeconomy in Europe.
For more information, check the agenda here.
A Visual Representation of EuRCBC Event
