H2020 BIOBRIDGES Project: Connecting consumers, brands, and bio-based industries to enhance the market for sustainable bio-based products

WP2

• Identification and analysis of factors that hinder or facilitate collaboration between the bio-based industry (producers), brand owners and retailers (introduction of bio-based products to the market) and citizens (consumers).
• Analysis of the supporting environment (strategies, incentives, etc.) facilitating multi-sector and inter-sector cooperation for the development of bio-based products (BBPs) aligned with consumer needs.
• Validation, enrichment, and updating of the WP2 findings during a dedicated focus group workshop held in Brussels in June 2019 with external experts active in various fields of the bioeconomy.

WP3

• The Biobridges database was continuously updated with the contacts of all partners, providing a comprehensive list of relevant stakeholders in each category, expanding the project's reach and impact. GDPR regulations were verified and followed.
• All partners enriched the database with additional stakeholders, such as policymakers, NGOs, researchers, associations, local community representatives, etc. A list of projects was created to establish synergies. The contact list was used to link T7.4 with existing networks and initiatives and other Biobridges activities. The number of Ambassadors and Advisory Board members was increased. Furthermore, the initial target was met for both cases, and in the case of Ambassadors, the number almost doubled.
• The Advisory Board was composed of experts who supported the project's activities, with different roles and types of participation.
• Biobridges Ambassadors promoted/demonstrated the concept of the bioeconomy and the benefits of bio-based products, thereby increasing the project's impact.

WP4

• The Biobridges Platform, Frameworks, and Procedures were created to support co-creation events between Consumers, Bio-based Industries, and Brand Owners that will be implemented in WP5.
• Visual promotional materials were defined to support stakeholder participation and engagement in the co-creation events, as well as the concepts and strategy for the serious game that supports the process and the three videos addressing the respective target groups.

WP5

• The BIOBRIDGES project organized 68 co-creation workshops. Each event included detailed information related to the scale of the events, the country where they were held, the total number of events organized, and information about the event organizers.

WP6

• Creation of 3 intersectoral interconnections created by the BIOBRIDGES project.
• The implementation of an action plan to increase consumer awareness (mainly through the design of a survey not initially planned in the DoA).
• Identification and recommendations on the most profitable cooperation opportunities in the bioeconomy sectors.

WP7

• Create the conditions for efficient and robust project communication and dissemination, i.e., defining appropriate strategies and planning considering the project scope, developing materials for good communication (i.e., stationery), establishing solid channels for communication (i.e., website, social media, email marketing), developing promotional material (i.e., brochures, posters, roll-ups, merchandising), and supporting event participation.
• The consortium's efforts under WP7 focused primarily on valorizing, consolidating, and increasing the visibility of the project's results and activities. Regarding the results and their exploitation and dissemination, a deliverable was created that outlines the exploitation and sustainability plan for the entire project to achieve a lasting impact, useful for overcoming the lack of cooperation among bioeconomy stakeholders.

It is possible to summarize and define 4 possible future activities and exploitation channels, explained in detail in the document:

• Publication and availability of all Biobridges assets on the website.
• Publication of assets in the LIFT Bioeconomy Library and promotion within the EuBioNet community or at public events.
• Adoption of Biobridges assets from the Biovoices and Transition2BIO projects.
• Individual operating activities of Biobridges partners.