On October 20, 2025, at 14:00, the meeting of the Latvian Smart Specialisation (RIS3) domain “Knowledge-Intensive Bioeconomy” management group will take place, where researchers from the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU) will present updates on the Horizon Europe project BOOST4BIOEAST. The project focuses on defining the development and future vision of the bioeconomy in Latvia.
Professor Irina Pilvere, Chair of the RIS3 Bioeconomy Management Group and Professor at LBTU, will present the progress made in drafting the Action Plan for Bioeconomy Development in Latvia up to 2040. The preparation of this plan is part of the Horizon Europe project BOOST4BIOEAST, implemented by 11 European countries, with LBTU responsible for assessing Latvia’s current situation and defining the next steps.
During the summer, LBTU-organized working groups developed a stakeholder ecosystem overview, conducted a SWOT analysis, and outlined a forecast of the bioeconomy development vision for 2040 based on a “business-as-usual” trajectory. Additionally, researchers have elaborated a desired development vision for 2040. Dr. sc. ing. Viktorija Zagorska, Senior Researcher at LBTU, will present the results of the Sustainable Agricultural Practices, Methods, and Yield working group, while Assoc. Prof. Līga Proškina will report on the outcomes of the Bioeconomy Education group. The findings of the Food Systems working group will be presented by Prof. Tatjana Ķince.
The meeting will be held online via Microsoft Teams.
The RIS3 Bioeconomy Group serves as Latvia’s Smart Specialisation governance body for the knowledge-intensive bioeconomy sector. It is one of five national RIS3 management groups, coordinated by LIAA (Investment and Development Agency of Latvia), bringing together representatives from businesses, research institutions, universities, industry associations, and ministries. The group’s main tasks are to identify sectoral challenges, refine and implement the long-term strategy and annual action plans, and propose policy and regulatory improvements to foster bioeconomy development in Latvia.