CBE JU: enabling the European Green Deal

Establishing a strong foundation 

In 2022, CBE JU celebrated its full establishment, marking a significant milestone in its journey. The creation of the partnership’s advisory bodies - the States' representatives group and the Scientific Committee - laid the groundwork by providing strategic guidance and advice on such key documents as the 2022 and 2023 annual work plans and the multi-annual programming. 

To guide its endeavours, CBE JU developed the CBE JU Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) for the 2022-2030 period. The SRIA serves as a strategic roadmap, providing a clear direction for the partnership's activities to ensure that CBE JU remains focused on its objectives and contributes effectively to the European Green Deal and relevant EU policies. 

By driving innovation and supporting bio-based solutions, CBE JU accelerates the transition to a more sustainable, low-carbon future. The 2022 achievements showcase the partnership's contribution to the European Green Deal's objectives, furthering the EU's commitment to a greener and more resilient future. 

Nicoló Giacomuzzi-Moore, Executive Director ad interim

Sparking innovation in the sector 

A significant CBE JU milestone was the launch of its first call for project proposals in June 2022. Covering 12 topics and with a budgetary envelope of €120 million, the call triggered the interest of over 1,500 applicants submitting more than 120 proposals, highlighting the potential impact of these projects in advancing the European Green Deal agenda. 

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) put forward 37% of all applications and proposed to lead 27% of all projects. This enthusiastic engagement reflects the significant role of SMEs in driving innovation and sustainability in the bio-based sector.  

35% of all applicants were newcomers to the programme, demonstrating its openness and attractiveness to new participants. This diverse participation fosters an environment of innovation, ensuring a wide range of expertise and experiences are leveraged for the advancement of the bio-based sector. 

Read more about the CBE JU Call 2022. 

Driving progress of ongoing projects 

21 CBE JU-funded projects were successfully completed in 2022, showcasing the implementation of bio-based solutions in various sectors. Among these achievements, the inauguration of the AFTER-BIOCHEM biorefinery, the completion of the PLENITUDE’s plant, and the successful scaling-up of technologies in UNRAVEL stood out as notable accomplishments. 

The CBE JU’s leverage effect – the ability of the initiative to attract additional financing from beneficiaries and multiply the EU funding resources – climbed to €2.8 in 2022, in line with the target to be reached by 2024. 

CBE JU-funded projects are successfully fostering collaborations, and to date have built 142 new cross-sector interconnections, against the initial target of 36. Projects also exceeded expectations with 111 new bio-based value chains developed compared to the goal of 10. This achievement demonstrates the transformative impact of the bio-based sector in driving sustainable development and reducing dependence on fossil-based resources. Additionally, the creation of 83 new bio-based building blocks and 157 new materials exceeds the respective original targets of 5 and 50, highlighting the innovative strides made in developing sustainable solutions. 

Empowering primary producers 

One of the objectives of the CBE JU initiative is to contribute to the increase of economic growth and employment in rural areas. Measures were taken to increase the engagement of primary producers from the agriculture, forestry and aquatic sectors in funded projects, and consequently in the bio-based sector and its value chains. 

In terms of absolute participation, primary producers account for 6% with the agriculture sector representing the highest participation. Seven projects are coordinated by beneficiaries from the primary sector of which two are producers of micro- and macro-algae. This important involvement underscores the sector’s importance in driving sustainable bio-based initiatives. 

Sharing knowledge and inspiring engagement 

Despite the constraints of the online format in 2022, the CBE JU Info Day served as an important platform for sharing knowledge, promoting collaboration, and fostering engagement among stakeholders. The event attracted 1,200 participants from 47 countries. 

In 2022, CBE JU actively participated in over 60 industry events, contributing to the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and best practice. By engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders, CBE JU facilitated networking opportunities and promoted the bio-based sector's visibility. These events provided a platform for showcasing achievements, sharing insights, and strengthening collaborations, further advancing the objectives of the European Green Deal. 

CBE JU continued to actively reach out to its community via publications, web articles, social media and regular newsletters, and saw its followership rise consequently. 

Boosting rural economies and EU’s industrial leadership 

One of the significant impacts of CBE JU is its contribution to the revitalisation of rural economies. Through its support to the bio-based sector, CBE JU enables the development of new economic opportunities in rural areas. By leveraging the potential of biological resources, CBE JU empowers local communities, stimulates job creation, diversifies income streams, and promotes sustainable economic growth. 

The bio-based sector plays a crucial role in enhancing the EU's competitiveness and industrial leadership. CBE JU's initiatives support the development of innovative technologies, products, and processes that give European industries a competitive edge in the global market. By fostering collaboration and driving innovation, CBE JU strengthens the EU's position as a leader in the bio-based sector, promoting economic growth and sustainability as well as enhancing the EU’s resilience.