Improving understanding of and engagement in bio-based systems with training and skills development

Call updates

Oct 7, 2021 5:30:28 PM
The Call HORIZON-CL6-2021-GOVERNANCE-01 (Innovative governance, environmental observations and digital solutions in support of the Green Deal) has closed on the 6th October 2021 92 proposals have been submitted.

The breakdown per topic is: HORIZON-CL6-2021-GOVERNANCE-01-08 : 4

Evaluation results are expected to be communicated around end of January 2022

Jul 9, 2021 11:10:26 AM
To know more about how applicants shall select one of the three inter-connected transformation actions - as specified in the topic scope - when submitting a proposal, an FAQ is published on the FAQ section of topic HORIZON-CL6-2021-GOVERNANCE-01-02. This FAQ can also be accessed directly by clicking here.

Jun 22, 2021 4:20:04 PM
The submission session is now available for: HORIZON-CL6-2021-GOVERNANCE-01-08(HORIZON-CSA)

Improving understanding of and engagement in bio-based systems with training and skills development
TOPIC ID: HORIZON-CL6-2021-GOVERNANCE-01-08

Programme: Horizon Europe Framework Programme (HORIZON)
Call: Innovative governance, environmental observations and digital solutions in support of the Green Deal (HORIZON-CL6-2021-GOVERNANCE-01)
Type of action: HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions
Type of MGA: HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG]
Deadline model: single-stage
Opening date: 22 June 2021
Deadline date: 06 October 2021 17:00:00 Brussels time

Topic description

ExpectedOutcome:

Successful proposal(s) will contribute to the expected impacts of Destination ‘Innovative governance, environmental observations and digital solutions in support of the Green Deal’, and the European policies it supports, in particular the European Green Deal and EU bioeconomy strategy, by supporting the establishment of the innovative governance models notably to achieve better-informed decision-making processes, social engagement and innovation. In addition, the topic supports the strengthened EU and international science-policy interfaces to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Projects results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Creation of guidelines for training and mentoring programmes in specific European regions and local communities, on knowledge and skills useful in the bioeconomy, and in particular bio-based sectors.
• Increased awareness, understanding and engagement of all actors (especially stakeholders involved in adult learning, retraining and skills’ development) with focus on co-creation, and social innovation.
• Support to the local balanced local potentials and innovation (in terms of feedstock, infrastructures, capacities) within the framework of local development and investment as well as fostering sustainability-driven policy.
• Integration of the opportunities created by the human-centric principles, offered by art, culture and (eco)-design, in respect to the bio-based feedstocks, including traditional and novel biological materials.
• Support to the feedback loops from the society to the policy makers, by developing the best practice guidelines for local operators and innovation developers, supporting climate-neutrality and low environmental footprint improvements of bio-based products and services;
• Development of skills leading to the novel business models and related social measures to enable consumers, industry and public bodies to switch to socially and environmentally responsible behaviour within their choices (e.g. regulatory measures, corporate responsibility initiatives, education); ensuring synergies, transparency and inclusiveness of all actors.

Scope:

Improved and informed governance including social innovation contributes to reducing resource consumption and results in an increased innovation capacity of all actors, and reducing the risk of leaving anyone behind. This should take into account the need to promote social engagement, supporting the permanent learning and re-training, in the area of bio-based economy.

This needs to take into account local specificities, such as the sustainable biological resources available (both traditional materials such as wood, cork or straw), but also innovations such as sustainable bio-textiles, bio-composites, 3-D printed biomaterials, recycled agro-food residues etc. This also helps to advance innovation and awareness including on social level, looking on the role of design, arts and culture, as technological capacities. The improved understanding of the social attitudes in diverse European regions forms an important part of this action.

This action should support the implementation of sustainable bio-based value chains, in the regional settings, by developing guidelines and creating feedback loops to the respective policy makers. Proposals should benefit from social creativity and opportunities for bio-based systems unleashed at regional scale ensuring their low environmental footprint and sustainability. Robust environmental evaluation should underpin the effort undertaken.

The proposals should seek complementarities with related actions on governance of bio-based innovation and ensure inclusiveness and engagement of all actors, especially SMEs, civil society organisations including NGOs and broader civil society (e.g. educational institutions, museums, science, art centres).

Social innovation is recommended when the solution is at the socio-technical interface and requires social change, new social practices, social ownership or market uptake. Proposal could explore intersectionality approaches and consider aspects like gender, ethnicity, migrant or refugee status, social class, sexual orientation and disability to ensure inclusion of marginalised groups in decision-making, citizen engagement and training activities.

Proposals should:

• Analyse and develop guidelines on the regional bioeconomy-related skills/(re)-training/adult learning programmes to allow replication across Europe, taking into account the diversity of regional/local approaches, including the existing support measures (e.g. bioeconomy strategies, sectorial public and industry programmes and initiatives).
• Assess and integrate the contribution from the humanities/art/design/culture into bioeconomy/bio-based economy sectors (e.g. role of innovation and sustainability for the new bio-based materials, new functionalities, safety, user-friendliness, understanding);
• Ensure efficient exchange of best practice and engagement of all actors (e.g. regional and local authorities, SMEs, civil society organisations including NGOs, University alliances and professionals’ associations, knowledge providers, artists, designers and architects) via robust and transparent communication and awareness-rising campaigns;
• Analyse and develop recommendations on social and economic barriers and potentialities (e.g. job creation capacity and its quality) to enable the transition towards socially and environmentally responsible behaviour within all ranges (e.g. regulatory measures, corporate responsibility initiatives, education), ensuring inclusiveness of all actors (NGOs, civil society, including women, ethnic and religious minorities, migrants and refugees, the LGBTIQ community, disabled persons, youth and the elderly, etc);
• Link with relevant activities under H2020, BBI JU, BIOEAST Initiative and EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities, in particular their education efforts.

This topic should involve the effective contribution of SSH disciplines.

Cross-cutting Priorities:
Social Innovation
Societal Engagement
Socio-economic science and humanities