The Horizon Europe-funded projects GenB and BioBeo hosted their joint Final Event on the 10th of April 2025 under the banner “Bridging Generations: Education and Policy to Shape a Sustainable Future”. The event brought together key stakeholders from the European Commission, academia and educational innovators to celebrate achievements in advancing bioeconomy education for younger generations.
Held at ACE Events in Brussels, the day featured interactive exhibitions, policy-focused discussions and a strong emphasis on cross-project collaboration. Representatives from the European Commission’s DG RTD, DG AGRI, REA and Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) joined educators and project partners to explore how education can empower the youth for a more sustainable, circular future.
One of the event’s most anticipated moments was the official declaration of the “European Community of Practice for Bioeconomy Lower Education”. Announced by Chiara Pocaterra, GenB Coordinator and Head of Projects Department at APRE, this new Community of Practice (CoP) is set to carry forward the legacy of GenB, BioBeo and other aligned initiatives.
“The assets built during the last few years cannot be lost. On the contrary, the ‘European Community of Practice for Bioeconomy Lower Education’ will contribute to valorising the efforts done and stimulate the debate among experts of education and bioeconomy,” said Pocaterra.
The CoP aims to connect educators, researchers and bioeconomy advocates across Europe to share best practices, co-create new methodologies and support the implementation of bioeconomy education in schools. It builds upon the combined educational models, tools and policy recommendations developed by GenB and BioBeo over the last 30 months.
During the event, participants also had the opportunity to engage with practical tools and educational materials developed not only by GenB and BioBeo but also from projects like BioGov.Net, CLEVERFOOD, LOESS, ProBleu, Circular Schools, Life Terra, BlueMissionMed and BlueRev, showcasing the collective efforts driving systemic change in European education.
The event concluded with a policy-oriented session, delivering actionable recommendations to shape the future of bioeconomy education within the revised EU Bioeconomy Strategy. This collaborative and forward-looking approach reinforces the European Union’s commitment to sustainability, youth empowerment, and education as central levers of transformation.