The European Bioeconomy University Alliance: Creative Hub for Knowledge Transfer

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September 11, 2025

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(European Bioeconomy University Alliance) The transition to the Bioeconomy is one of the major economic, social and environmental challenges facing the European Union in the coming years. The European Bioeconomy University, established in July 2019, will tackle this enormous challenge by educating a new generation of truly European experts, fostering rigorous, relevant and responsible research, and transferring knowledge into society and the economy.

The European Bioeconomy University is an alliance of the eight leading European universities in this field. It will act not only as a think tank for knowledge generation, but also as a creative hub for knowledge transfer to transform diversity into creativity, support the European approach of democratic, transparent and participative processes and foster actual change in an innovative and sustainable way.

Our aim is to come from the skills demand in the European Bioeconomy and to align bioeconomy curricula across Europe

The European Bioeconomy University Education Strategy

Based on systematic assessment of the skills demand of the European bioeconomy industry– including international and larger companies, SMEs and startups – and stakeholders

Strives for an inclusive education program for students on all levels including lifelong learners and professionals:
- innovative didactic approaches for the inclusion of interdisciplinary, research-oriented learning and entrepreneurial thinking (starting at Bachelor level)
- collaborative, skills-demand-driven Master study program
- joint summer/winter schools for promoting Bioeconomy in particular in Central and Southern Europe
- common platform with online educational material on the bioeconomy
- mobility program for students’ and lecturers’ exchange between EBU partners

Strengthens the involvement of industry and stakeholders in teaching and curriculum development

Develops policy recommendations for bioeconomy education

The founding universities include AgroParisTech (France), the University of Bologna (Italy), the University of Eastern Finland, the University of Hohenheim (Germany), BOKU University (Austria), and Wageningen University and Research Centre (Netherlands). In 2023, the Warsaw University of Life Science (Poland) and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Sweden) also joined as core members, expanding the alliance’s reach and impact.

Inspired by French President Emmanuel Macron’s 2017 “Initiative for Europe,” EBU was conceived to create a bridge across disciplines, connecting students, researchers, and professionals in their efforts to promote a sustainable bioeconomy. The bioeconomy emphasizes the use of bio-based renewable resources to phase out fossil-based economies and increase resource efficiency in line with planetary boundaries.

EBU’s collaborative efforts have grown rapidly, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in Brussels in July 2019. The alliance now not only serves as a think tank for generating new knowledge but also as a hub for sharing innovative solutions addressing bioeconomic challenges. The network engages with Associated Partners like BIOEAST, European Bioplastics, and the European Forest Institute, aligning with EU strategies like the Green Deal to promote interdisciplinary cooperation and tackle sustainability goals.

Education is a core pillar of EBU’s mission. Over the past five years, EBU has developed joint educational strategies supported by EU funding, offering programs from Master’s and PhD levels to lifelong learning. This comprehensive approach aims to train future bioeconomy experts, ensuring the exchange of knowledge between research and business, industry, and society.

Among other activities, the Alliance hosts the EBU Scientific Forum, the official in-person meeting of the EBU network offering a European platform to strengthen EBU’s coordination and engagement, while also fostering networking and intensifying collaborations between the different stakeholders involved in the bioeconomy field on the European level. READ MORE

Useful e-resources on bioeconomy

FOEBE+ collected information on e-learning materials and other resources that could be helpful for you to foster your skills and knowledge in bioeconomy and bioeconomy related entrepreneurship. The materials listed here are available online.

Study programmes

MicroMasters® Program in Economics and Policies for a Circular Bio-Economy

This MicroMasters programme of Wageningen University and Research will help you understand the basic economics of a circular biobased economy. It includes four courses, in the last of which you will perform a capstone project in which you apply the knowledge from all courses to your own business case and get feedback from experts in the field of circular bioeconomy economics and policies. Includes a fee. Target group: students / graduates of higher education institutions, bioeconomy professionals (extensive prior experience required)

Online courses / MOOCs

CL4BIO
CL4BIO project provides several bioeconomy training courses that apply Creative Learning Method. Requires registration. Target group: students / graduates of higher education institutions

Concepts of Sustainable Bioeconomy
Developed by the University of Hohenheim, this course describes bioeconomy and its underlying concepts from a meta-level. You can enroll and complete this course for FREE. You can obtain a Certificate of Participation (costs €29) at any time after completing the course. Target group: students / graduates of higher education institutions, life-long learners

DelftX: Circular Economy: An Introduction
The course explores how businesses can create value by reusing and recycling products, how designers can come up with amazingly clever solutions, and how each one of us can contribute to make the circular economy happen. Available as paid and free (limited downloadability) versions. Target group: all interested (introductory level)

Ecosign
Ecosign project developed e-learning material for European eco-designers within food packaging, textile and electronics. The material includes four different online courses and requires registering. Target group: vocational students, food packaging designers, fashion and industrial textile designers, designers of electronic/electrical goods

European Forest Bioeconomy
During this course, students get familiar with European forest bioeconomy. The course is offered via University of Eastern Finland continuing learning and includes a fee. Bioeconomy colour: green; Target group: life-long learners

FIELDS training
FIELDS learning platform offers free training materials to equip you with the essential skills needed in the agri-food, forestry, and bioeconomy sectors. The training programme is targeted to farmers, food industry staff, foresters, advisors, educators and students. Bioeconomy colour: yellow and green

Managing changes
In this MOOC offered by the University of Bologna, you will learn the main dynamics related to personal and professional individual moments of change. Knowing the dynamics, it will be easier to be aware of emotions that any change brings. You will learn to how face resistance more effectively and develop specific skills for managing the process of change with increased awareness and self-confidence. Target group: all interested (no prerequisites to take this course)

Managing conflicts
In any social context, conflicts, as well as being inevitable, are also essential for grasping the potential of diversity and for growing as a person. Learning to deal with conflicts in a constructive way is essential. This MOOC offered by the University of Bologna will include themes, such as how to recognise a conflict and how to best manage it. Target group: all interested (no prerequisites to take this course)

Soils and climate : Issues, processes and strategies to protect and increase soil carbon stocks
This MOOC is aimed at anyone who wants to improve their understanding of the role of agriculture and forestry in relation to climate. Learners who achieve a score of at least 60% are also given the opportunity to obtain a certificate of achievement, awarded by FUN. Languages: English and French. Bioeconomy colour: yellow; Target group: students / graduates of higher education institutions

The new plastics economy: circular business models and sustainability
The aim of this MOOC offered by the University of Bologna is to improve learning capacity and professional skills of students, researchers, young entrepreneurs, managers, and practitioners operating in the plastic value chain. The course applies multidisciplinary approach, and addresses legislative, technical and managerial issues related to the so-called New Plastics Economy with a focus on the bio-based and biodegradable plastics industry. Bioeconomy colour: red; Target group: students, researchers, young entrepreneurs, managers, and practitioners operating in the plastic value chain

Why choose wood for the next high rise building?
Different types of biomaterials (e.g., wood) are crucial in the challenge of decarbonizing the built environment and reducing the carbon footprint of buildings and infrastructure by replacing materials like steel and cement, which have high carbon dioxide emissions. The goal of this MOOC provided by Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences is that participants will gain a shared understanding of Swedish forestry so that they can make well-informed decisions about material choices for their next construction project. Bioeconomy colour: green; Target group: life-long learners, professionals

WUR MOOCs
Wageningen University & Research offers MOOCs, which include the following themes: food and nutrition, environmental sciences, smart agriculture and biobased production. Target group: life-long learners. Here are some example MOOCs:
Business Strategy and Operations in a Biobased Economy
From Fossil Resources to Biomass: A Business and Economics Perspective
Economics and Policies in a Biobased Economy

Study books

Bioeconomy. Shaping the Transition to a Sustainable, Biobased Economy
This book is edited by Iris Lewandowski and it is open access under a CC BY 4.0 license. The book defines the bioeconomy as the sustainable and innovative use of biomass and biological knowledge to provide food, feed, industrial products, bioenergy and ecological services. The authors outline the dimensions of the bioeconomy as a means of achieving sustainability. Target group: all interested

Handbook on the Bioeconomy
This book is edited by Davide Viaggi, and offers a comprehensive account of the recent research and thinking on the bioeconomy. It has restricted access, but the introductory chapter is available online. Target group: all interested

Self study

Advanced Sustainable Entrepreneurship
This self-study material includes videos of a MOOC that is no longer available. The themes of the videos include: introduction to the biobased economy, as well as to sustainable entrepreneurship, and a roadmap to sustainable change. The themes are examined via expert lectures and a case study. Target group: students / graduates of higher education institutions, life-long learners

Other

BIOBEC E-Learning materials
The E-learning suite showcases BIOBEC Project’s outcomes. It provides tools and knowledge to recreate the BBEC (Bio-Based Education Centres) in different places. Target group: bioeconomy professionals, educational institutions, policymakers, research and technology organisations, financial institutions, consumers

BioBeo Project Outcomes
BioBeo has produced materials that include podcasts, videos and teaching packages among others. Target group: preschool, primary, and secondary schools, teachers

BLOOM
BLOOM project developed different kind of materials including podcasts and videos on bioeconomy related issues. The BLOOM School Box includes Boosting Bioeconomy Knowledge in Schools MOOC which is not running anymore, but the content is still accessible. This MOOC was targeted to teachers.

Ellen MacArthur Foundation
This site contains extensive amount of information and resources on circular economy, also related to bioeconomy. The resources include, for example, case studies and learning resources (both for teachers and students). The Circular Design Guide helps innovators create more elegant, effective and creative solutions for the circular economy. Target group: all interested

FIELDS and I-RESTART database
A database including information on curricula and courses in the field of bioeconomy. Target group: all interested

GenB Virtual Library
Through GenB project’s virtual library you can search materials on bioeconomy. Target group: students, teachers or policy makers

KATCH-E
KATCH-E project developed training materials for enabling circular economy in the construction and furniture sector. It delivered eight learning modules and seven tools, dealing with basic knowledge on circular economy the business approach, product and product-service system design and assessment and communication. Requires registering. Target group: students and professionals of construction and furniture sector

Resource – Don’t Go!
The board game Resource Don’t Go! was developed by international students at the University of Hohenheim in order to give interested parties playful insights into the possibilities and challenges of a sustainable and circular bioeconomy. The game is suitable for use in schools as well as at universities in various courses that deal with the topic of bioeconomy. Target group: learners in schools and universities

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