BIOSPARK launches to strengthen Europe’s skills for the circular bioeconomy

BIOSPARK (Skills Promotion and Awareness for Regenerative Knowledge), a new project funded by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) under the Horizon Europe programme, has officially launched at its Kick-off Meeting in Rome. Coordinated by the University of Eastern Finland (UEF), the project brings together 18 organisations from 11 European countries with a shared ambition: to strengthen education, skills development and lifelong learning for Europe’s circular bioeconomy.

Over the next 30 months, BIOSPARK will establish a pan-European network of 27 Bio-Based Education Centres (BBECs), covering all 27 EU Member States. Building on the foundations laid by existing bio-based education initiatives, including the BIObec project, the European Bioeconomy University Alliance and the BIOEAST University Network, BIOSPARK will connect education and training providers, research and technology organisations, industry and other stakeholders to address the evolving skills needs of the bioeconomy sector.

As Europe accelerates its transition towards a sustainable and circular economy, the demand for professionals with specialised knowledge and skills continues to grow. BIOSPARK will address this challenge by co-designing innovative learning opportunities with academia, businesses and regional stakeholders, helping ensure that education and training reflect the skills required by the labour market.

The project will develop and pilot new curricula, micro-credentials and lifelong learning opportunities for university students, vocational education and training learners, and professionals looking to upskill or reskill. By strengthening collaboration between education providers and industry, BIOSPARK aims to contribute to a skilled workforce capable of supporting Europe’s green and digital transitions.

A key objective of BIOSPARK is to make high-quality bioeconomy education more accessible across Europe. Through its network of Bio-Based Education Centres, the project will foster knowledge exchange between regions, encourage cross-sector collaboration and help reduce disparities in access to education and skills development. In doing so, BIOSPARK will contribute to a stronger, more connected and more resilient European bioeconomy ecosystem.

The project officially started on 1 October 2026, with consortium partners gathering in Rome on 2 October for the kick-off meeting. The meeting marked the beginning of the partners’ joint work, providing an opportunity to align the project’s objectives, coordinate initial activities and establish the foundations for the European network of Bio-Based Education Centres.

Throughout the project, BIOSPARK will share its progress, educational resources and opportunities for engagement with students, educators, researchers, businesses and policymakers, helping strengthen Europe’s capacity to develop the skills needed for a sustainable and competitive bioeconomy.

BIOSPARK has received funding from the European Union under the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme and the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) under grant agreement No 101291928.| Building Europe’s skills for the circular bioeconomy

About BIOSPARK

BIOSPARK (Skills Promotion and Awareness for Regenerative Knowledge) is a Coordination and Support Action funded by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) under the Horizon Europe programme. Running from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2029, the project aims to strengthen Europe’s skills and capacity for circular bio-based systems by addressing fragmented training frameworks, skills shortages, limited inclusion of widening countries and insufficient collaboration between academia and industry.

Building on Bio-Based Education Centres (BIObec), the European Bioeconomy University Alliance and the BIOEAST University Network, BIOSPARK will establish a pan-European network of 27 Bio-Based Education Centres covering all EU Member States. The project will co-create, develop and pilot curricula, training activities and lifelong learning pathways tailored to the needs of the bioeconomy sector, with particular attention to widening countries and regions with less advanced research and innovation capacities.

It will also strengthen the European bioeconomy by fostering strong collaborations between universities, research and technology organisations, and industry. BIOSPARK is a member of the European Bioeconomy Network (EuBioNet). http://biosparkproject.eu/