ConnectedByBiobord

The project upgraded and extended the earlier developed digital innovation platform for bioeconomy developers Biobord.

The opportunity

The rural areas of the Baltic Sea region have a great potential for bioeconomy as they have abundant natural resources. However, these regions struggle to reach their full potential due to limited human capital, business networks and clusters. So far, the small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) in bioeconomy are mostly in traditional, resource-based industries that have not taken full advantage of latest technology and service innovations. The regional knowledge exchange is generally limited and occurs mainly among local actors. Limited human capital, lack of agglomeration economies, low levels of firm clustering and a weak endowment with knowledge generation organizations are characteristic of organizationally thin regional innovation systems (RIS).

ConnectedByBiobord was a continuation of the project RDI2CluB that supported smart, sustainable and inclusive growth of the bioeconomy in rural areas. ConnectedByBiobord built on the outputs of the RDI2CluB: Joint Action Plans and the Biobord platform for transnational innovation co-operation. The partnership implemented transnational innovation pilots derived from the Joint Action Plan in target regions, namely: Central Finland (Finland), Inland (Norway), Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship (Poland), Vidzeme (Latvia), Värmland (Sweden), Skåne (Sweden) and Pärnu (Estonia).

Budgets

ConnectedByBiobord
in numbers

0.90

Million

Total
0.56

Million

Erdf
0.00

Million

Eni + Russia
0.10

Million

Norway

Achievements

Bioeconomy actors get better connected

ConnectedByBiobord strengthened regional innovation systems by connecting actors on the regional level. Bioeconomy actors across the region were connected to each other in innovation events, where they learned from each other and gained new knowledge. The project used the digital Biobord platform that is a place for knowledge exchange as well as practical cooperation plans to trigger peer learning. Besides, external actors have learned a new way to host innovations through co-creation (i.e. hackathons). In this way, the involved actors have learned where to find transnational contacts (Biobord) and where to start the co-creation (joint agendas and Biobord network).

Bioeconomy potential

Through piloting, the project introduced the regional innovation systems to the most promising bioeconomy sub-sectors such as sustainable food system, digital forestry, new technologies in wild animal monitoring. Via OnStage webinars, the involved participants gained knowledge via open data. With new knowledge and tools, the bioeconomy actors can develop products and services, initiate new knowledge-based jobs.

Collaboration between business and research

In addition, the project strengthened the dialogue between business and research. ConnectedByBiobord piloted an open co-creation model and delivered a vast amount of valuable knowledge that allows to tackle the challenges blocking innovations and development. For example, a customer attitude towards alternative protein, which would require nationwide marketing campaigns and incentives from the policy level. In practice, the model combines research and business in development activities.

Outputs

Publication on Bioeconomy Innovation Pilots

The publication “How Biobord network boosts rural bioeconomy through open innovation and co-creation” summarises the results of three innovation pilots: food, forest and technology. The aim of the publication is to raise knowledge on sustainable and knowledge-based bioeconomy development in rural areas of the Baltic Sea region. It focuses on the co-creation aspect of each pilot case, and aims to emphasize the continued development of the pilots in the Biobord network after the project lifetime. The publication aims to inspire new bioeconomy developers (policy, academy, R6D and business) to co-operate with the Biobord network, and joint the presented initiatives.

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Guide on the innovation process for transnational innovation ecosystems

The guide presents a practical handbook for planning and organising innovation processes that connect different stakeholders to co-create. The innovation process is built on an iterative process involving 3 phases: 1) Co-learning (definition of problems and solutions); 2) Co-design (testing, piloting, validating solutions); and 3) Co-effectuate (analysing viability, desirability, and feasibility). With the help of the guide, it is possible to improve the ability to take ideas into innovations. The guide gives practical tips on how to co-operate between sectors (i.e. business and research), on how to move back and forth with the process (iterative process), on how to host innovation event (such as hackathons) and how move innovations closer to business (Business Model canvas tool or joint agenda).

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Project Stories

05.10.2021

How Biobord network boosts rural bioeconomy through open innovation and co-creation

This story is about bioeconomy developers with a passion for building smart, viable rural economy in the Baltic Sea region. It is about open innovation developed in a dialogue and co-creation. It is also about connecting talented people living in small communities in the middle of fields and forests eager to find solutions for sustainable and healthy food production, natural resources management and development of new and improved technologies. Read about #MadeWithInterreg Biobord network.
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