Agricultural University - Plovdiv and the European Commission launched the Regional Innovation Valleys for Bioeconomy and Food Systems in Europe.

On October 13, 2023, the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission, in close collaboration with the Agricultural University - Plovdiv and the BIOEAST Initiative, officially launched the Regional Innovation Valleys for Bioeconomy and Food Systems. This is an initiative of the European Commission that will contribute to the New European Innovation Agenda and its pilot activity for the development of 100 regional valleys for deep technological innovations. These valleys have significant potential to support and accelerate the deployment of the bioeconomy in rural and urban regions, as well as to address innovation disparities within the EU, with a focus on Central and Eastern European countries.

European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, and Youth, Mrs. Iliana Ivanova, addressed the initiative, and the Prime Minister of Bulgaria Acad. Nikolay Denkov personally greeted the participants and met with the leading organizers. During the meeting, he highlighted the role of the bioeconomy in strengthening local agri-food chains and creating healthier connections between businesses and academic communities. He emphasized that the government could support the establishment of an interdepartmental commission for the development of the bioeconomy in the country and initiate a new program for partnership among BIOEAST countries in the fields of biotechnology, bioeconomy, and bio-based industries.

The importance of supporting the eight Bulgarian universities participating in European university alliances was emphasized by the Rector of the Agricultural University - Plovdiv, Prof. Dr. Hristina Yancheva. She presented the UNIgreen alliance, in which the Agricultural University is a member, and its representatives, Prof. Julian Cuevas and Dr. Marta Mendel. Prof. Yancheva emphasized that cooperation is a cornerstone of the Regional Innovation Valleys because they engage key stakeholders from academic, industrial, and local government sectors to address societal challenges.

Dr. John Bell, Director of the Directorate "Healthy Planet" at the European Commission, emphasized that European legislation and directives are in place, and now is the time for action. The hubs will create new opportunities for experimentation and innovation deployment within innovative communities.

The Minister of Innovation and Growth of Bulgaria, Mrs. Milena Stoycheva, outlined the state's support for young entrepreneurs and innovators for their integration into Europe. High-level representatives from the European Commission and the European Investment Bank presented EU instruments that are essential for establishing a network of hubs, explaining the specific characteristics of the hubs and presenting successful examples from member states.

They also discussed opportunities for investment support for innovative projects by companies, startups, universities, and research centers through participation in the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU). The Director Mr. Nicoló Giacomuzzi-Moore proposed organizing a special CBE-JU discussion forum in Bulgaria.

Representatives of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology in Food (EIT Food), as well as European university lecturers, Bulgarian startups, and young opinion leaders, also participated.

In conclusion, Prof. Dr. Vladislav Popov, Deputy Rector of the Agricultural University - Plovdiv, emphasized that the opportunities in the bioeconomy in Bulgaria and Central and Eastern Europe depend on strengthening education and skill development in the bioeconomy. The Regional Innovation Valley - Plovdiv will partner with the Agricultural University.