Our journey towards smart specialization in bioeconomy started with the creation of Regional Bioeconomy Profiles in 2018.

Data is key for evidence-based decision making in regional strategy work. Still, reliable statistics to show the development of bioeconomy do not exist in regional level. Therefore, we compiled it! Not just for ourselves, but also for the other regions in Finland, Norway, Poland, Latvia and Estonia.

The updated web-toolkit for regional bioeconomy strategy enables assessment of regional bioeconomy potential, strengths and weaknesses in comparison to national averages – as well as to other regions in Baltic Sea Region and EU.

Statistics are not perfect when it comes to bioeconomy and regional expertise is key for interpreting the results. Still, the visual tools for bioeconomy readiness give an excellent start for the regional discussions and commitment to joint actions.

With the regional bioeconomy profile data and regional dialogue on the potential for bioeconomy in our regions, we identified Joint Action Plans for supporting smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth in bioeconomy in the rural regions of our network. The Joint Action Plans connect the existing EU, EUSBSR, national and regional policies and strategies to a practical roadmap for the development of bioeconomy innovation ecosystem around the Baltic Sea Region.

The Joint Action Plans were developed in cooperation with the regional triple helix actors – regional authorities, business, and academy. In several regions, the planning involved also authorities working with national smart specialization strategies in bioeconomy.

Joint Actions have been identified for regional level and for co-operation across the regions. The international Joint Action for Boosting Bioeconomy focus on three areas:

• Knowledge building on New Technologies and Business Models.
• Capacity building and transregional co-operation in innovation management and brokerage.
• Raising awareness on the potential of bioeconomy for business and society.

During the planning, we identified many actions that were started right way and implement with our available resources. Moreover, we have found action areas where we share an interest to plan jointly future actions.

Download the plans and read more

To help our Network to work together on the Joint Action Plans and to connect our regional bioeconomy innovation ecosystems, we created Biobord platform and a joint operational model for our network actions.

Biobord is an open virtual innovation hub for bioeconomy developers. On Biobord, we offer our network members tools for managing the project lifecycle, building and managing networks, connecting with stakeholders and finding and building partnerships.

Biobord platform and its operational model has been developed in an iterative service design process. The Biobord platform and its operating model were piloted in several phases to test and scale up platform functionalities and operations together with different user groups - researchers, regional development agents, students, entrepreneurs, inventors and innovation brokers.

Study our development phases from discovery and definition, to prototyping and piloting.

In the RDI2CluB project, we implemented 4 pilots to boost rural bioeconomy development in our regions during 2019-2020. These pilots included:

• Central Finland: A digital solution linking farmers to the service providers and workforce they need
• Inland, Norway: Research to support the sustainable management of wildlife populations in the Northern Hemisphere
• Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, Poland: Promoting biomass heating solutions to improve air quality and living standards for residents in spa towns
• Vidzeme, Latvia: Using advanced technology and knowledge sharing to promote high-value organic farming

Explore our results with the interactive impact report that displays our solutions.

Read more on the pilots.

Is this a place for me? Our introduction video tells you more about activities at the Biobord platform!

To get involved, all you must do is register via the Login. For instructions on registration and more information on how to manage your account, please review: How to register and manage your account?

We would also like to introduce to you Tips for New Users!

For next steps, see the ‘Guidance and tips for Biobord Platform User’.

See Welcome to Biobord to get in contact with our Administrators if you have any questions!

To get most out of your experience at the Biobord Forum, please review the following guidance and tips for users:

How to manage my profile and my preferences?

How to contact people via messages and open forum?

How to join the discussion or create an own topic?

How to use the Resources of the Biobord platform?

For more advanced users, we also recommend studying these topics:

What are tags and how to use them?

Explore the groups and users at Biobord

FAQ of Biobord Forum

See Welcome to Biobord to get in contact with our Administrators if you have any questions!

Are you planning to use the Forum for co-working in a project team or with you network?

Are you planning to share news on Biobord platform? Wish to update the information on your services or organization data?

Looking for guidance on building an innovation process?

Please review our Guides for Biobord Network Partners openly available for all users!

Looking for information on the ongoing Biobord network activities, Biobord communication resources or material related to Biobord Board co-working? Please access the Biobord Network discussion area in Biobord Forum. (Only available for Biobord Network Partners)

Note! If your organization is a partner in Biobord network, but you do not have access rights to the closed ‘Biobord network’ discussion area, you can request rights to the group either via contacting the Administrator or by sending a ‘Request to join’ at the Groups page.

See Welcome to Biobord to get in contact with our Administrators if you have any questions!

Biobord network is open for new partners to join in. We are looking for partnering with organizations focusing on sustainable bioeconomy development and passionate for innovation.

As a partner, you are able to:

• Get a seat at the Biobord Board - join our activities for planning new joint initiatives, RDI projects and events! Leverage the expertise and connections of the network to take your initiatives further.
• Operate as an international bridge builder for your regional innovation system – connect SMEs and bioeconomy developers of your region with the international pool of expertise and talent!
• Facilitate co-operation and dialogue with stakeholders - start discussion and co-working areas for your projects and networks at our Forum!
• Communicate to an international audience of bioeconomy specialists - promote your services and achievements as well as market your expertise at Biobord platform!

Interested in joining? Please review the roles, rights, and responsibilities of the network partners as well as the Biobord network co-working principles: Membership in the Biobord Network

If you are thinking about joining the Biobord Network, always feel free to contact us. See the contact details for Network Secretary at Welcome to Biobord.

Before joining, you are also welcomed to explore co-operation opportunities with our partners as Biobord user. Join Open Biobord Forum for networking opportunities and review our events at Biobord On Stage.