Bio-economy and Circular Economy Initiatives

A pivotal area of focus in this green transition is the bioeconomy, which leverages renewable biological resources to produce food, materials, and energy. Bioeconomy refers to the sustainable use of resources from land, sea, and other biological systems, including crops, forests, fish, animals, and micro-organisms. As part of the EU’s strategy to foster a circular and low-carbon economy, bioeconomy plays a crucial role in modernising industrial practices, creating new value chains, and reducing environmental impacts. By integrating bio-based materials into manufacturing processes, the EU aims to reduce waste, lower carbon footprints, and strengthen the industrial base, all while protecting biodiversity and the environment.

A relevant example in Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries is the BIOEAST Initiative, a key driver for bioeconomy

Browse below our resources, in particular news, events, calls and documents about the initiatives related to bioeconomy and circular economy and sustainable systems.

News:

• Two Successfully Completed POLICY ANSWERS Trainings on Sustainable Agriculture in Montenegro
• POLICY ANSWERS Workshop: Optimise Your Business and Benefit from Circular Economy and Green Transition
• New Master’s Programme on Circular Economy and Bioeconomy
• The BEAMING Project Presented at the Researchers Night in Banja Luka
• Bosnia and Herzegovina Participating in Green CBC, Cross-Border Open Innovation Bioeconomy Network
• ESINERGY Project Addressing Power Imbalance in Electrical Grids
• World Bank: Green Policies Needed to Build Climate-Resilient Agriculture in North Macedonia
• North Macedonia’s Renewable Energy Future: Blueprint for Transition
• Kosovo Launches €20 Million Project for Rural Development and Agritourism
• Renewable Energy Support for SMEs in Kosovo: First Phase of the Call for Photovoltaic Systems Concludes
• Bioeconomy and Energy Efficiency: EU and Kosovo’s Joint Efforts in Promoting Renewable Resources
• Discussing the Drivers of Building Joint Programming: Green ERA Hub and BIOEAST Partnering for the Future (Event Report)
• Widening Towards the Western Balkans: Feedback from Green ERA-Hub Event

Events:

• BIO4AI Hackathon at BelBi 2026
• EUBCE 2026: European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
• Where Value Is Lost and Found: Closing the Value Gap in Construction
• Shaping the future of farming and the agri-food sector
• Launch of the Community of Practice (CoP) on Nature-Based Solutions in the Western Balkans
• Training for Supporting the Development of Sustainable Agriculture and the Food Value Chain in Tivat, Montenegro
• Training for Supporting the Development of Sustainable Agriculture and the Food Value Chain in Niksic, Montenegro
• Training for Supporting the Development of Sustainable Agriculture and the Food Value Chain in Berane, Montenegro
• Circular Biobased Economy Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) Info Day 2025
• SCAR/BIOEAST conference on research and innovation
• POLICY ANSWERS Webinar: Water4All EU Partnership, Opportunities for the Western Balkans
• EUBCE 2025
• BIOEAST and BEYOND High Level Conference on CEE R&I Priorities for Soil, Fresh Water Resilience, Food System Security and Bioeconomy Related Policies
• Policy Forum on Advancing Research and Innovation in Central and Eastern Europe within the Framework of Sustainable Natural Resource Management, Food Systems Security, and Biomanufacturing Policy Development

Calls:

• 2025 Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership transnational call. Montenegro eligible
• Public Call for Applications for Training for Implementation of the Circular Economy Principles in Montenegro
• Second Call to Become an EU Bioeconomy Youth Ambassador

Documents:

• Agreement Between Austria and Bosnia and Herzegovina on Scientific and Technological Cooperation
• EU4Green studies on Climate Change Adaptation in Agriculture in the Western Balkans
• Green Transition and Smart Specialisation in the Western Balkans
• Circular Transition for Biomass and Food in North Macedonia
• Sustainable Forest Management in the Western Balkans Region
• Comparative Analysis of the Socio-economic Developments and Competitiveness of the Agri-food Sector at a Sectoral and Macro Level in the Pre-accession Countries
• Interview with Barna Kovács, Counsellor at the Permanent Representation of Hungary to the EU and Secretary General of the BIOEAST Initiative
• A Roadmap towards Circular Economy of North Macedonia
• Green Growth in North Macedonia‘s Agriculture Sector
• BIOEAST Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) and Stakeholder Manifesto
• Hungarian EU Presidency Priorities in the Context of the BIOEAST Initiative and Strong Engagement of Western Balkans

Initiatives:

• Regional Inclusive Biobased Entrepreneurship Solutions (RIBES) Project
• Bioeconomy Excellence Alliance for Stimulating Innovative and Inclusive Green Transition (BEAMING)