This report was produced within the frame of the DanuBioValNet project (Deliverable 4.1.2 Policy Benchmarking Report), co-funded by European Union funds (ERDF, IPA) through INTERREG Danube Transnational Programme. It was prepared by Gregor Švajger (MIZS) and Michael Keller.
This report outlines the results of the BBCEI benchmarking exercise. By comparing the current 25 BBCEI clusters with cluster initiatives from all over Europe (EU28 plus Norway), it offers valuable insights to cluster organisations operating Bio-based clusters in the Danube region.
The BBCEI is a joint undertaking of the DanuBioValNet project and the European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis (ESCA).
The DanuBioValNet partners have provided an important initial overview of the state of the bioeconomy for their affiliated regions in the multi-country Danube macro region. A key initial advancement in the DanuBioValNet effort is reflected in the ability of the partners from diverse country settings to agree on the basic goals of the project and the general methodology to be pursued.
The development and sharing of the respective country reports has set the stage for more detailed examination of specific selected bio-based sectors in the region along with the associated value chains.
The report prepared for the ten selected Danube countries offers concrete observations on the current regional situation regarding the strengths and weaknesses associated with bio-based products, suppliers and markets as well as innovation opportunities and R&D competences.
The reports provides preliminary information on the regional bio-based strategies and government policies already in place and identifies certain policy gaps that can be addressed through the DanuBioValNet project.
It became obvious that only a few regions/ countries have a dedicated strategy or policy in place. However, several regions identified Bioeconomy as one of several Priority Areas under their Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3).
The participating partners benefited from group presentations and discussions at the DanuBioValNet partners meeting in Prague on March 31, 2017.
The topics covered at this meeting included dimensions and characteristics of value chains as applied to bio-based sectors of industry and manufacturing.
Emphasis was placed on the need to identify and analyse cluster initiatives and associated value chains based on their relevance, competence and potential for sustaining biobased industries in the region.
The DanuBioValNet project, launched in 2017 through a cross-regional partnership involving 16 partners from 10 Danube regions, enhance transformation from fossil-based economy towards an economy using renewable resources by creating Danube bio-based value-added networks.
The aim of this project is to develop new methods, strategies and tools to connect Danube actors (SMEs, farmers, universities, research institutes, etc.) in a bio-based industry. The project is focused on three bio-based value chains with high potential, such as Phytopharma, Eco-construction and Bio-based packing (bioplastic). Moreover, the hemp-industry has been included as well because hemp can be seen as a raw material for all three value chains.
The partners intend to develop a long-term, industry driven roadmap for such collaboration, a Joint Bio-Based Industry Cluster Policy Strategy, and create new bio-based value chains in the Danube Region and eco-innovations for supporting regional development. Clusters, as groups of industries that are closely linked by common products, markets, technologies and interests, are chosen to organize and carry forward the needed industry cooperation for the creation of new value chains.
Successfully established new bio-based value chains in the pilot actions can motivate other clusters and SMEs to test this newly developed approach in the future.
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