PRESS RELEASE
BOOST4BIOEAST Peer Review Highlights the Role of Lifelong Learning and Cooperation in Strengthening Bioeconomy Education
On 9 April 2026, the BOOST4BIOEAST project, with the support of the BIOEAST UniNet and the BIOEAST Thematic Working Group on Bioeconomy Education (TWG BE EDU), successfully organised a peer review webinar bringing together policymakers, universities, research institutions, and industry representatives from across the BIOEAST region.
The session focused on assessing bioeconomy education needs at a macro-regional level, with a particular emphasis on lifelong learning, European cooperation, and strengthening links between education and industry.
Lifelong Learning as a Key Driver
A central theme of the discussion was the critical role of lifelong learning in supporting the transition towards a sustainable and circular bioeconomy. Participants highlighted the need for more structured and flexible learning pathways to enable reskilling and upskilling of the workforce, responding to rapidly evolving industry demands.
Despite growing interest, lifelong learning systems in the bioeconomy remain underdeveloped across the BIOEAST region, requiring stronger institutional support and strategic integration.
Strong Demand for European Cooperation
The peer review clearly demonstrated a high level of interest in cross-country collaboration, knowledge exchange, and joint initiatives. Ministries, universities, and networks expressed their willingness to work together to:
- Share good practices
- Develop joint programmes and micro-credentials
- Strengthen regional and European partnerships
This aligns with the preparatory findings, which showed that stakeholders are highly motivated to cooperate, particularly in the fields of skills development and lifelong learning .
Bridging the Gap Between Education and Industry
A recurring point throughout the discussion was the need to strengthen cooperation between academia and industry. While bioeconomy education is expanding, it remains fragmented and often insufficiently aligned with labour market needs.
Participants stressed that closer collaboration is essential to:
- Define skills and competency needs
- Improve career pathways for students
- Increase practical training opportunities and internships
Funding as a Critical Barrier
One of the most consistent messages across all contributions was the lack of financial resources. Limited national funding and strong dependence on EU programmes were identified as major barriers articulated both by representatives of Ministries of Education and also universities hindering scaling bioeconomy education systems.
Both the preparatory analysis and the peer review discussions confirmed that increased and targeted funding is essential to:
- Support education programmes
- Enable long-term cooperation
- Strengthen innovation uptake
As highlighted in the preparatory input, bioeconomy education is gaining importance but remains constrained by limited funding and insufficient coordination .
Towards a More Coordinated and Strategic Approach
The peer review concluded that advancing bioeconomy education in the BIOEAST region requires:
- Stronger policy frameworks and national strategies
- Better coordination across ministries and sectors
- Long-term investment in education and skills
- Continued support for collaborative platforms such as BIOEAST UniNet
A Collective Commitment to Action
The webinar confirmed a shared commitment among stakeholders to move forward through enhanced cooperation, knowledge sharing, and coordinated action at both national and European levels.
The outcomes of this peer review will contribute to the ongoing BOOST4BIOEAST activities and support the development of future recommendations aimed at strengthening bioeconomy education across the region.
Interested to for more ?
All outcomes of BIOEAST TWG BEEdu including previous policy expert discussions Thematic SRIA is available here. Soon the conclusion of this peer review will be published here, stay tuned.
The peer review was organized by the first fully operating bioeconomy BIOEAST HUB in the CEE – BIOEAST HUB CR.
