Bio-based products: Mobilisation and mutual learning action plan

Ensuring that research and innovation in bio-based products and processes is not only excellent, but also relevant and responsive to the needs of all actors is important, not least in ensuring the uptake of results. Surveys show that consumers and citizens in general have little awareness and knowledge of bio-based products (BBP). To improve market uptake of bio-based products, shape future research in BBP science, technology and innovation and meet the views and expectations of society, there is a need for a broad, inclusive assessment of the challenges and opportunities at hand.

Multi-actor approaches are needed to identify and address both the risks and different stakeholders' interests and aspirations, in order to maximise the benefits of new bio-based business models within society. Mobilisation of all actors along the value chain is crucial to mitigate the probability of "technology mismatches" (i.e. development of technologies without a corresponding reliable and cost-efficient feedstock supply, or which face insufficient market demand).

Scope

The Mobilisation and Mutual Learning Action Plan (MML) should ensure the engagement of all relevant groups and tackle innovation related challenges by establishing a multi-stakeholder platform, gathering a plurality of actors with different perspectives, knowledge and experiences[1], and maintaining open dialogue between the different stakeholders.

The objective of the platform should be the development and implementation of an Action Plan that would address the challenges of raising awareness of and engaging with the citizens on the bio-based products. Proposals have to be based on and develop the concept of Mobilisation & Mutual Learning Platforms (MML). The design of this platform and its activities should take into account and build on methods developed previously in European projects and initiatives (including consultation processes in the field of bio-based products).

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of up to EUR 3 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude the submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Expected Impact

The direct and sustainable impact of proposals will be:

• to create networks of specific target groups in order to raise citizens' awareness and understanding of bio-based products;
• to create a better framework for new bio-based market opportunities, through broad stakeholder engagement leading to responsible, reliable, and societally acceptable solutions;
• to contribute to responsible policy-making, helping to shape further research on bio-based products and improving acceptability of existing bio-based products.

[1]Involving a balanced representation of experts and professionals in the fields of public engagement and bio-based products in general, and more specifically researchers, civil society (CSOs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), scientists in the field of social sciences and humanities, industry and policy-makers.