The acceleration of the green transition required to address the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and unsustainable food systems depends on the development of the bioeconomy. The Nordic and Baltic countries have long-standing experience in utilising biomass resources in ways that contribute to economic growth.
The bioeconomy plays a crucial role in both rural and national economic development. Research and technological innovation in the circular bioeconomy are strong across the Nordic countries, and the Baltic Sea region has a long history of trade and economic exchange. Furthermore, the Nordic and Baltic countries share a well-established tradition of collaboration within the framework of the Nordic Council of Ministers.
To harness the full potential of the bioeconomy in rural regions across the Nordic and Baltic countries, challenges related to service provision, infrastructure, education, labour markets, demographic change, and economic opportunities must be addressed. The development of the bioeconomy in these rural areas should promote economic growth, support the transition to green production industries, and contribute to sustainable rural development.
The overarching vision of the programme has therefore been to strengthen long-term economic growth, generate social benefits, and accelerate the green transition in rural areas of the Nordic and Baltic countries, with the bioeconomy serving as the driving force. The Bioeconomy Programme has been implemented within the framework of the Nordic Council of Ministers’ strategic priorities to achieve a green, competitive, and socially sustainable Nordic Region. It has aimed to contribute to the Council’s vision of making the Nordic Region the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030.
The main objectives have been to:
Strengthen sustainable use of available bioresources in Nordic/Baltic rural areas
Increase economic growth and social sustainability in rural areas in the Nordic and Baltic
Enhance the competitiveness of Nordic and Baltic industries in rural bioeconomy sectors
Programme structure
The Bioeconomy Program was structured through three work packages (WPs): WP 1) Products and Services, WP 2) Infrastructure, and WP 3) Competences.
WP 1: Products and services
WP 1 focused on strengthening products and services based on bioresources, with the objective of creating sustainable economic opportunities and value chains in rural areas. The work package is divided into several thematic sub-areas, addressing issues related to proteins, bioenergy, fertilizers, tourism, and health.
WP2: Infrastructure
WP 2 addressed institutional, organizational, and infrastructural conditions necessary for a sustainable and circular bioeconomy. The work package has targeted issues relating to the market and organizational structures as well as the digitalization of the bioeconomy.
WP3: Competences
WP3 aimed to address skills supply challenges in the bioeconomy sectors. The work package focused on capacity building, job matching, and skills development across the bioeconomy to reduce mismatches and attract young people and women to careers in the rural bioeconomy.
Administration
The SNS/NKJ secretariat has run the central administration for the program, including support and organization of meetings with steering and reference group, financial administration and payments, follow-up on different WPs and support to the different projects with administrative duties, contact with stakeholders, and communication.