Building Europe's bioeconomy through collaboration and innovation
Our challenges
The agri-food and bioeconomy sectors are facing profound transformations.
Europe must simultaneously address resource scarcity, supply chain disruptions, climate challenges, biodiversity loss, food security concerns and increasing competition for biomass, including many market, regulatory and technological disruptions.
At the same time, new opportunities are emerging through biotechnology, sustainable proteins, innovative ingredients, circular business models and the growing demand for bio-based solutions.
These challenges cannot be tackled by individual organisations or regions alone.
I4BE was created to bring together the expertise, infrastructures and innovation capacities needed to accelerate the transition towards a resilient and resource-efficient bioeconomy and gove solutions to these challenges.
Our ambition is clear : accelerating the development of a competitive, circular and sustainable bioeconomy, by connecting ecosystems across Europe.
I4BE helps transform biological resources, agri-food side-streams and biomass into innovative ingredients, products and value chains that create economic, environmental and societal benefits.
Our impact
I4BE goes beyond networking. The partnership actively supports innovation and project development across Europe.
Through its activities, I4BE:
- Connects companies, researchers, clusters and regions
- Facilitates knowledge transfer and innovation diffusion
- Supports the generation of collaborative European projects
- Organises study visits and peer-learning activities
- Brings together experts through thematic working groups and think tanks
- Develops strategic roadmaps and shared priorities
- Identifies industrial challenges and connects them with innovation solutions
By turning ideas into collaborative actions, I4BE helps accelerate innovation uptake and strengthen regional ecosystems.
Our mission
The partnership works on six strategic innovation areas that are shaping the future of the bioeconomy :
- New sources of food ingredients : exploring novel biological resources and innovative approaches to develop the next generation of food ingredients.
- Alternative and sustainable proteins : supporting the development of protein solutions for food and feed that contribute to more sustainable food systems.
- Circular economy and resource revalorisation : maximising the value of biological resources through circular approaches and efficient resource use.
- Upcycling of food side-streams : transforming underutilised biomass and co-products into valuable ingredients and applications.
- Innovative processing technologies : accelerating the deployment of technologies that improve efficiency, sustainability and product performance.
- Consumer acceptance of upcycled products : understanding market expectations and supporting the successful adoption of innovative bio-based products.
Our services
European networking & matchmaking
Connect with companies, researchers, clusters, investors and regional innovation ecosystems across Europe to build new collaborations and accelerate innovation.
Project generation & funding opportunities
Identify relevant European funding opportunities, join consortia, develop collaborative projects and access new investment opportunities.
Innovation support for bio-based ingredients
Accelerate the development of innovative ingredients, sustainable proteins, circular value chains and bio-based solutions through cross-regional collaboration.
Knowledge sharing & peer learning
Access market intelligence, trend analyses, best practices, case studies, webinars, study visits and expert exchanges from across Europe.
Business development opportunities
Discover new markets, customers, technologies and partners while exploring emerging value chains in the bioeconomy.
Strategic intelligence & visibility
Increase your visibility at European level, showcase your expertise and stay informed about policy developments, market trends and innovation opportunities.
Support for regions and ecosystems
Help regional authorities and innovation ecosystems implement pilot initiatives, strengthen smart specialisation strategies and foster sustainable economic growth.
Building stronger bioeconomy value chains
Facilitate cooperation across regions and sectors to create resilient, circular and competitive bio-based value chains for the future.
Governance & Leadership
I4BE is built on a collaborative governance model designed to ensure strategic alignment, active partner engagement and efficient decision-making across the partnership.The partnership is guided by a Board that oversees strategic priorities, partnership development and the implementation of the joint roadmap. The Board brings together the Chair, Vice-Chair, Established Office and the leaders of the thematic working groups.
A Steering Committee, composed of all partner organisations, contributes to the strategic orientation of the partnership and supports the implementation of common activities.Dedicated working groups drive the day-to-day development of key activities, including project generation, communication, stakeholder engagement and innovation initiatives.
This governance structure ensures that I4BE remains partner-driven, action-oriented and closely connected to the needs of regional ecosystems across Europe.
Current leadership
Chair
Gus Verhaeghe (Flanders’ FOOD, Belgium)
Vice-Chair
Célia Gavaud (Clust-ER, Italy)
Established Office
Betty Milano (Wagralim, Belgium)
Communication Working Group Leader
Adrienne Gentil (Valorial, France)
Project Working Group Leaders
Sara Botti (Innov’Alliance, France)
Natanael Viñegra de la Torre (CNTA, Spain)
