AGRI-BIOCIRCULAR-HUB project starts with the participation of BETA TC

The BETA Technological Centre of the UVic-UCC has participated in the launch meeting of the AGRI-BIOCIRCULAR-HUB project in Poznan, Poland this January. It is an initiative of the Horizon Europe Widera program, of 5.9 million € and in which 21 partners from Ukraine, Poland, Latvia, Spain and Belgium have participated. Ukraine’s Lviv Polytechnic National University will lead the coordination of the project, to maximise its impact on the reconstruction of the country and on the process of integration into the European Union and its innovation ecosystem.

The AGRI-BIOCIRCULAR-HUB aims to consolidate a transnational hub of excellence in the field of sustainable agriculture and circular bioeconomy between innovation ecosystems in Ukraine, Poland and Latvia. To foster collaboration between key actors in each ecosystem, the consortium includes partners representing public administration, universities, industry and civil society.

Through the project, a strategic R&D&I plan will be designed to strengthen innovation capacities and foster long-term cross-border cooperation and internationalisation. Regional pilots will be developed focusing on the valorisation of agricultural, livestock and municipal waste. In addition, an open innovation program will be created for entrepreneurs and start-ups, and a cascade funding scheme for SMEs developing and adopting smart and circular technologies. A mentoring program for Ukraine will also be created, which will focus on capacity building for farmers, SMEs, universities and public administration.

Participation of BETA TC

BETA TC participates as an expert partner, contributing with the experience of Catalonia as a leading consolidated R&D&I ecosystem in the fields of sustainable agriculture and circular bioeconomy. The centre will coordinate several critical aspects of the project and will provide support and guidance at both the scientific-technical and strategic levels. In addition, BETA TC will organise exchange sessions in Catalonia for partners from Ukraine, Poland and Latvia that will include institutional meetings, visits to examples of innovation and training, with the aim of promoting the exchange of knowledge, sharing good practices of the Catalan ecosystem and strengthening the connections between Catalonia and regions of these three countries.

The positioning of Catalonia

The AGRI-BIOCIRCULAR-HUB project is a sign of Catalonia’s leadership as a European benchmark in sustainable agriculture and circular economy, and also consolidates Catalonia’s recognition as a ‘strong innovator’ according to the European Commission’s Regional Innovation Scoreboard and its role as one of Europe’s ‘Regional Innovation Valleys’. With the support of the TC BETA, this project redefines the standards of cross-border collaboration, and promotes greener and more resilient economies through the circular economy and sustainability.

This project builds on BETA’s Science4Cooperation work stream. It has also been joined by the SURE-AMR project, which will establish a Centre of Excellence on antimicrobial resistance in Kiev, a public health challenge exacerbated by war.  These projects reinforce BETA’s commitment to Ukraine’s recovery through research and innovation and its path towards EU membership.

The launch of the project in Poland also coincides with its presidency of the Council of the European Union. This represents a synergy that will amplify the scope of the project and adds great value to the international projection of Catalonia as a key player engaged in strategic European initiatives that drive a common agenda. An agenda focused on sustainability, European integration and collective progress.