The event featured a keynote presentation by Dr. Banias from CERN, titled:
“Transforming Residues into New Bioeconomy Opportunities.”
His talk provided powerful insights into how science and technology—when combined with local resources and smart policy—can turn agricultural waste into valuable biobased products and processes, laying the groundwork for a truly sustainable and resilient bioeconomy.
Participants were introduced to the ROBOCOOP EU project, its mission to establish cooperative-led, circular bioeconomy business models, and its ongoing work across olive, grape, and stone fruit value chains. The project’s ambition to link innovation with real-life cooperative structures is already showing promising results in its regional hubs.
A standout session of the day was the “BioCoop Challenge”, an interactive role-playing exercise where attendees took on the roles of cooperative leaders, decision-makers, innovators, and all stakeholders of the quintuple helix. Through this simulation, participants explored the challenges and trade-offs of managing bio-based value chains, from feedstock availability and technology selection to stakeholder alignment and market risk.
The exercise sparked lively discussion, creative thinking, and a better appreciation of the real-world complexity that underpins ROBOCOOP’s work.
The International Workshop provided a valuable space for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and network building. By situating it within the Bioeconomy Summer School, the event helped connect the project’s technical depth with educational and community perspectives, reinforcing our commitment to inclusion, learning, and long-term impact.
We extend our sincere thanks to all speakers, participants, and facilitators who made the day so engaging and productive—and to the Bioeconomy Summer School for hosting us as part of its inspiring programme.
