Strengthening links between European and national bioeconomy funding
The event opened on 13 May at the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences with a life sciences and biotechnology community workshop entitled “Leveraging Genetics to Increase Bioeconomy Resilience”. This was followed by the CBE JU Info Day in Lithuania 2026, which provided participants with an overview of forthcoming calls, participation opportunities and strategic priorities of the Circular Bio‑based Europe Joint Undertaking. Matchmaking sessions later in the day enabled participants to explore potential collaborations and partnerships for future project proposals.
On the morning of 14 May, GEO took part in the Synergies Workshop: Exploring Synergies between the CBE JU and Local Funding/Financing Opportunities, organised in the framework of the BIO‑INSPIRE project. The workshop aimed to identify concrete pathways for better alignment between CBE JU funding and national and regional financing instruments, in order to maximise the impact of bioeconomy investments, particularly in Widening countries such as Lithuania.
Representatives from the CBE JU presented the initiative’s Widening Strategy, highlighting efforts to increase the participation of organisations from underrepresented regions. This was complemented by insights from Invest Lithuania and the Lithuanian Bioeconomy HUB, which showcased Lithuania’s potential in emerging markets for innovative bio‑based materials and technologies. Through interactive brainstorming sessions and round‑table discussions, participants examined challenges and opportunities across the innovation value chain, from early‑stage research (TRL 1–3) to business development and market deployment (TRL 7–9).
BIO‑INSPIRE General Assembly and project progress
#Following the Info Days, the BIO‑INSPIRE General Assembly took place on 14–15 May, providing an opportunity for partners, including GEO, to review project progress, exchange experiences and align on upcoming activities. The agenda included overviews of several work packages, discussions on policy briefs, and sessions dedicated to knowledge transfer and capacity building.
On 14 May, presentations covered project progress and discussion sessions, including a dedicated discussion on policy briefs and their role in supporting evidence‑based bioeconomy policymaking. An open discussion and Q&A session allowed partners to reflect on achievements to date and identify areas for further collaboration.
The General Assembly continued on 15 May at Vilnius University, with a focus on knowledge transfer activities led by Wageningen University & Research, followed by presentations on the upcming Open Call. The meeting concluded with a collective discussion on next steps, forthcoming milestones and coordination towards the next project reporting period.
Contribution to BIO‑INSPIRE objectives
GEO’s participation in the Vilnius event contributed directly to the objectives of BIO‑INSPIRE, particularly in relation to capacity building, policy support and improved access to funding for bioeconomy innovation. The discussions reinforced the importance of connecting European‑level programmes with national and regional instruments to ensure that high‑quality project ideas can progress along the full innovation pathway.
