COOPID – Knowledge transfer on innovative bioeconomy solutions for primary production

“Bioeconomy refers to an economy that relies on renewable natural resources to produce food, energy, products, and services. The bioeconomy strives to reduce our dependence on fossil natural resources, to prevent biodiversity loss and to create new economic growth and jobs in line with the principles of sustainable development.”

Source: The Finnish Bioeconomy Strategy

Background

Finland is in an outstanding position to bioeconomy. Natural resources as forests, fields, soil, freshwater system, and the sea form the backbone of economy. Bioeconomy also conducts ecosystem services, as carbon sequestration and recreation opportunities. Bioeconomy is a combination of sustainable use of natural resources, raw material cycle, and local solutions.

Bioeconomy starts on the fields. Development of innovative bio-based business models strengthens the integration of primary producers into the bioeconomy and their participation in bio-based value chains. Co-operation and dialogue in the value chain cluster are essential for advanced busines models.

Finland’s prospects for bioeconomy are exceptionally bright. Natural resources, including forests, fields and water systems, form the backbone for the country’s bioeconomy. In addition, ecosystem services for recreation are provided and carbon sequestration practiced. In general, bioeconomy activities combine sustainable use of natural resources, sustainable raw material cycles and local solutions.

In agriculture, bioeconomy starts from the fields. Development of innovative bio-based business models strengthens the integration of primary producers into bioeconomy along with their participation in bio-based value chains. Co-operation and dialogue within value chain clusters are essential to form advanced business models.

Objectives

The COOPID project aims to bring together primary producers across Europe and distribute knowledge on successful bio-based business models. The project strengthens cooperation and knowledge transfer between different stakeholders and countries supporting development of bio-based business models considering regional & sectorial conditions.

Based on the information gathered on bio-based business models, recommendations are created. These recommendations promote investments and research & development to create new value chains in the sector. The target group of the project is primarily primary producers, but also producer communities, research, academia, and authorities.

COOPID project responds to European wide challenges of bioeconomy. The project improves meaningful integration of primary producers into the bio-based value chains, and the adoption of innovative bio-based business models, thus opening abstracts concepts of bioeconomy and the circular economy.

Actions

Each partner organisation sets the regional COOPID Bioeconomy Cluster (CBC). The cluster is formed by organisations working on the field of primary production: primary producers, policymakers, companies, academia, and research. Broad spectrum of stakeholders enables a comprehensive view to bioeconomy.

Each partner organisation designates a national Success Story of bioeconomy. Success Stories are examples of successful bio-based business models. Each Success Story will be presented to 1-2 ambassadors representing the CBC at showcases visits.

A set of bioeconomy workshops will be arranged based on the showcases. In the workshops the ambassadors share the highlights of their visit to primary producers and other target groups to disseminate knowledge gained during the visits.

Knowledge gained during the project will be collected in the webpages to enable active knowledge transfer.

The business models behind the showcases, technology, and success factors will be analysed. Based on these factors, recommendations for primary producers, policymakers, and academia & research will be elaborated.

Results

COOPID project was launched in January 2021. During spring all the participating organisations have created national CBC connecting regional networks and stakeholders. Finnish CBC concludes stakeholders from 10 organisations operating in the natural product industry.

Among nearly 20 innovative and inspiring candidates, Valio and its carbon neutral food chain has been assigned the showcase to represent Finland.

The COOPID project was launched in January of 2021. During the spring of 2021, national CBC or COOPID Bioeconomy Clusters were established in the participating countries with the objective of connecting regional networks and stakeholders. The Finnish CBC includes stakeholders from 10 organisations operating within the natural resources sectors.

Among nearly 20 innovative and inspiring candidates, Valio Ltd. and their road map to a carbon neutral food chain has been assigned as the showcase to represent Finland.

The next steps

In autumn 2021 and spring 2022 the showcase visits are organised in the participating countries. A set of workshops will be arranged, and the success stories represented as examples of successful bioeconomy business models. The ambassadors will spread their knowledge during the workshops.

In the autumn of 2021 and the spring of 2022, the showcase visits are organised in the participating countries. In addition, a set of workshops are facilitated, and success stories presented as examples of successful bioeconomy business models. The ambassadors will spread their knowledge in the workshops.