One of the main goals of the RuralBioUp project is to build Regional Hubs, which are collaborative, multi-actor platforms designed to promote small-scale bio-based solutions in rural European areas. These Hubs bring together farmers, foresters, businesses, support organizations, policymakers, and other key players to overcome barriers to sustainable innovation adoption, empowering communities to sustain these efforts independently.
Within this context, the Lombardy regional Hub promotes environmental sustainability in rural areas of Lombardy by fostering cooperation throughout the agricultural value chain and facilitating the spread of sustainable practices for balanced development through stakeholder collaboration, bio-based solutions awareness, project synergies, and the organization of strategic activities.
About Us
The Lombardy regional Hub unites 50 stakeholders, including SMEs, universities, research centers, foundations, and industry associations. The Regional Facilitator, the Lombardy Green Chemistry Association (LGCA), is a key player for bioeconomy at both national and European levels. Open to all interested Lombardy stakeholders, LGCA aims to create favorable conditions for regional bioeconomy growth, serve as a reference for regional and national authorities, and provide a platform for networking and project development.
The Hub Contact Point, responsible for supporting Hub’s activities, is the Bioeconomy Pilot, a European partnership under the Vanguard Initiative. Its mission is to foster innovation and develop bio-based value chains grounded in regional strategies, facilitating sustainable new business applications.
Our target groups
The Lombardy Regional Hub addresses all stakeholders interested in the bioeconomy:
- Farmers and agricultural producers
- Industrial sector, especially agri-food and processing industries
- Regional government entities and policymakers
- Universities and research centers
- Innovation hubs and foundations
- Investors and financiers
Our Action Plan
Our Action Plan aims to support small-scale bioeconomy value chains through:
- Collaboration with research institutes, universities, and local authorities for scientific and managerial support
- Partnerships with key Hub entities to enhance the value chain potential
- Collaboration with other EU and Italian projects for knowledge sharing and joint activities
- Training and coaching activities regarding various topics in bioeconomy, entrepreneurship and education.
Priority Value Chains:
The Lombardy Hub focuses its activities on two main value chains, with an interest in compatible and complementary sectors:
- Agri-Food Sector
- Raising awareness of sustainability through waste reduction, recycling, and reuse.
- Promoting industrial symbiosis and “short supply chains” to reduce environmental impact.
- Enhancing nutritional quality and food safety.
- Promoting biodiversity by utilizing underutilized genetic resources.
- Biomass Sector
- Increasing circularity and sustainability in the use of biomass waste.
- Adding value to non-energy biomass.
- Promoting sustainable crops, such as hemp, to enhance agricultural sustainability.
- Exploring innovative methods, such as cultivating mycelium on waste materials.
