Bioeconomy: A Core Pillar of Innovation & Funding in Horizon Europe

Europe is increasingly embracing the bioeconomy—the sustainable use of biological resources—to advance both circular and low-carbon objectives. Under Horizon Europe, the Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture & Environment cluster (Cluster 6) receives nearly €9 billion (2021–2027) to fund projects that:

• Promote biodiversity, sustainable food systems, forestry, and aquaculture

• Accelerate the shift to a resource-efficient circular bioeconomy reddit.com+15circular-cities-and-regions.ec.europa.eu+15research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu+15

One illustrative case is the CBE JU, a public–private initiative backed by over €2 billion, with a 2025 call information day scheduled for April 3 in Brussels. The 2025 Work Programme allocates €165 million to fund flagship innovations in urban bio-waste valorisation, bio-based packaging, and sustainable macroalgae systems cbe.europa.eu+1cbe.europa.eu+1.

Moreover, since its 2023 launch, Horizon Europe has invested around €916 million into projects straddling both circular and bioeconomy sectors. This includes biotechnologies like CO₂ transformation into organic acids within the VIVALDI project, laying the groundwork for future industrial bio-based sectors rea.ec.europa.eu.

Complementing innovation grants, the EU’s Bioeconomy Strategy includes a €100 million circular bioeconomy investment platform, pilot deployments in rural and urban contexts, and efforts to establish biorefineries and biodegradable material standards eu-cap-network.ec.europa.eu+9research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu+9knowledge4policy.ec.europa.eu+9.

Beyond these flagship programmes, support is available through other EU instruments such as the LIFE Programme, CAP (Common Agricultural Policy), ESIF funds, and the Innovation Fund, providing a comprehensive ecosystem for bioeconomy innovation knowledge4policy.ec.europa.eu.

Why this matters for businesses and innovators

• Access to significant funding: From structured Horizon Europe clusters to public-private partnership calls and investment platforms.

• Market-ready innovation: Emphasis on pilot testing, living labs, biorefineries, and systemic solutions aimed at real-world deployment.

• Systemic impact: Projects target the full product lifecycle—encompassing agroforestry, food systems, packaging, bioproducts, waste valorisation, and CO₂ reuse.

Opportunity ahead: 2025 Call Themes

• Urban bio-waste valorisation

• Circular-by-design packaging

• Sustainable macroalgae systems

• Biotech processes (e.g., continuous bioconversion, SSbD polymers)

These funding opportunities are ideal for consortia involving industry, research institutions, SMEs, farmers, and public bodies cbe.europa.eu.

In short, bioeconomy is not only central to the EU’s sustainability and climate goals, but also a fertile ground for innovation and funding—thanks to coordinated instruments like Horizon Europe, CBE JU, LIFE, and structural funds.