The BIOSTARS project aims to foster the development of bioeconomy startup villages in rural Mediterranean areas, promoting entrepreneurship and social innovation as a driver of territorial transformation.
The initiative focuses on promoting an enabling environment for employment generation, service provision and talent retention in rural communities, by harnessing bio-based solutions and a resource-efficient economy that contributes to preserving biodiversity and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
BIOSTARS will develop a Circular Bioeconomy Action Plan (BIOSTARS Toolbox), which integrates technical and social solutions validated in previous European projects such as BIOLOC and REVIVE. Its implementation will enable the establishment of new startup villages specialised in bioeconomy or the adaptation of existing ones to the circular bioeconomy model, aligning with the European Startup Village Forum initiative.
The project will support entrepreneurs, local authorities, primary producers and investors through an active and collaborative community of practice, based on a holistic approach that combines the technical and social pillars to generate sustainable economic opportunities in rural areas.
BIOSTARS is co-funded by the Interreg Euro-MED programme with a total budget of 1.5 million euros.
Corallia, a unit of Athena Research Center, is leading the activities on tailored training for entrepreneurs and multipliers to use the BIOSTARS toolbox and supporting ADAD on Youth-led innovations for the Smart Bioeconomy. Drawing on its extensive experience supporting start-ups, SMEs, young innovators and women-led enterprises, and its strong network-building capacity, Corallia will act as a national multiplier of BIOSTARS results by delivering training and organising events. These activities will raise awareness among rural innovators about sustainable and circular bioeconomy solutions and funding opportunities, strengthen social innovation networks and promote youth engagement in the bioeconomy.
Partnership
- Coordinator: Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH), Greece.
- Athena R&I Center in Information, Communication and Knowledge Technologies, Corallia Unit (ATHENA/Corallia), Greece.
- International centre for sustainable development of energy, water and environment systems (SWEDES), Croatia.
- Corporación Tecnológica de Andalucía (CTA), Spain.
- Asociación para el Desarrollo de la Comarca del Aljarafe-Doñana (ADAD), Spain.
- Sarajevska regionalna razvojna agencija (SERDA), Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Larnaca and Famagusta Districts Development Agency (ANETEL), Cyprus.
- University Consortium for Industrial and Managerial Economy (CUEIM), Italy.
- Central European Initiative – Executive Secretariat (CEI), Italy.
Associated organisations
Municipality Hadžići, Development Agency of Lemesos Ltd, Athienou Municipality, University of L’Aquila – “Open Territories” Centre, Cramars Cooperative, Municipality of Amynteo, The Network of Sustainable Municipalities, Municipality Lovas, Municipality of Motovun-Montona, Fair Trade Lebanon.