EU boosts the bioeconomy: New ‘Bio-based Europe Alliance’ and investment initiatives aim to enhance Europe’s competitiveness

The European Commission has unveiled new initiatives to implement the EU Bioeconomy Strategy. The Bio-based Europe Alliance (BEA), the Bioeconomy Investment Deployment Group (BIDG) and a new expert group on the bioeconomy are designed to bring innovations to market more quickly, facilitate investment and strengthen the competitiveness of Europe’s bio-based circular economy.

Bio-based Europe Alliance aims to accelerate market launch

With the new Bio-based Europe Alliance (BEA), the European Commission is responding to a key challenge facing the European bioeconomy: many innovative companies develop successful technologies but struggle to make the transition from research and demonstration to industrial production and the market.

The Alliance brings together manufacturers of bio-based materials, products and technologies with major European buyers. The aim is to mobilise corporate off-take commitments totalling 10 billion euros by 2030. This is intended to create reliable demand, facilitate investment and bring innovative solutions to market more quickly.

At the same time, the BEA aims to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy by promoting bio-based products ‘Made in the EU’ and giving European companies greater visibility in international competition.

Express interest in membership by 31 July 2026

Companies, research institutions, associations and other organisations can apply to become founding members of the Bio-based Europe Alliance by 31 July 2026. The official launch of the Alliance is scheduled for 21 October 2026 as part of the Global Bioeconomy Summit in Dublin.

Expressions of interest must be submitted via the relevant form provided by the European Commission and must also be sent by email to ENV-BIOECONOMY-STRATEGY@no-spam-pleaseec.europa.eu.  Submitting an expression of interest does not automatically guarantee admission to the Alliance; selection will subsequently be carried out by the European Commission.

New funding initiative for Europe’s bioeconomy

At the same time, the Bioeconomy Investment Deployment Group (BIDG) has commenced its work. This joint initiative by the European Commission and the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) aims to improve access to funding for bio-based companies.

To this end, it brings together commercial banks, development banks, venture capital funds and institutional investors. The aim is to mobilise public and private investment and accelerate the industrial expansion of the European bioeconomy.

In addition, a new Expert Group on Bioeconomy supports Member States in implementing the EU Bioeconomy Strategy and in developing national and regional bioeconomy strategies.

CBE JU: €170.7 million for new bioeconomy projects

Back in April 2026, the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) published its latest calls for proposals. A total of €170.7 million is available for 13 call themes. Funding is available for research and innovation projects that strengthen competitive, sustainable and circular bio-based industries in Europe.

The calls for proposals cover three funding instruments:

• Research and Innovation Actions (RIA): Development of new technologies, products, processes or services, as well as feasibility studies.
• Innovation Actions (IA): Scaling up innovative solutions – from prototypes to market launch.
• Coordination and Support Actions (CSA): Networking, knowledge transfer, public outreach and the exploitation of research results.

Eligible applicants include companies, SMEs, start-ups, universities and research institutions. The deadline for submissions is 22 September 2026.

BayFOR provides support with the application process

Would you like to take part in a CBE JU project or check whether your project idea fits one of the current calls for proposals?

The experts at BayFOR can advise you on selecting the right funding instrument, support you in developing a competitive project idea and guide you through the application process under Horizon Europe and the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU).

Further information:

• The European Commission’s Bioeconomy Strategy
• Bio-based Europe Alliance – Call for Expression of Interest
• CBE JU Calls 2026
• Overview of current EU funding programmes on the BayFOR website

Natalia García Mozo
Head of Unit SME Advisory Services
Phone: +49 89 9901888-171
Email: mozo@no-spam-pleasebayfor.org

M. A. Susanne Hirschmann
Scientific Officer Environment, Energy & Bioeconomy
Phone: +49 89 9901888-125
Email: hirschmann@no-spam-pleasebayfor.org