Editorial – Driving Bioeconomy Innovation

The BIOEAST Open Innovation Challenge: The 5W Overview

Why Participate and How to Apply

Key OIC Themes 

Timeline and Key Milestones

The BIOEAST Open Innovation Challenge (OIC) is a comprehensive platform designed to accelerate bioeconomy innovation throughout Central and Eastern Europe. This strategic initiative unites BIOEAST national HUBs, BIOEAST Thematic Working Groups (TWGs), leading research institutions, emerging start-ups, established companies, and talented students to address key technological, organizational, and market challenges in sectors such as agriculture, forestry, renewable energy, and bio-based industries.

Through structured collaboration, strategic networking, pitch training sessions, and professional pitching events, the OIC offers innovators the opportunity to build strategic partnerships and accelerate the implementation of their solutions. These innovations not only strengthen the region’s competitiveness but also contribute significantly to the broader transition toward a sustainable bioeconomy.

WHO

The challenge welcomes participation from students, researchers, entrepreneurs, start-ups, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and corporations based in one of the 11 BIOEAST countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

WHAT

This collaborative challenge aims to identify and scale innovative bioeconomy solutions—ranging from early-stage ideas to market-ready products—across eight strategic themes. These themes have been defined by BIOEAST HUBs acting as challenge owners, based on the most pressing needs in Central and Eastern Europe.

WHERE

The initiative operates throughout the BIOEAST macro-region, with dedicated pitching events scheduled in Hungary, Slovenia, Estonia, Bulgaria, and Czechia in the first half of 2026.

WHEN

Check out the Timeline and Key Milestones section below. 

WHY

The challenge aims to accelerate the bioeconomy transition, enhance the adoption of innovations, establish meaningful connections between innovators and both investors and policymakers, and strengthen the overall competitiveness of Central and Eastern Europe in the global bioeconomy landscape. Check out the Timeline and Key Milestones section below. 

Resilient Small and Medium-Sized Farms

We seek innovative approaches that enhance both climate resilience and socio-economic sustainability of small farms and forest owners, addressing the unique challenges faced by these essential contributors to agricultural ecosystems. 

Read more here.

Biomass Logistics

The focus is on developing efficient technologies and integrated systems that optimize biomass collection, processing, and seamless integration across the entire value chain, reducing costs and improving accessibility. 

Read more here. 

Biowaste Reduction and Valorisation 

This theme encompasses solutions designed to transform agricultural, forestry, and food waste streams into high-value bio-based products and materials, creating economic value from previously underutilized resources. 

Read more here. 

Sustainable Bioenergy 

We are looking for innovations that significantly reduce costs, and accelerate the deployment of biogas, biomethane, and advanced biofuels technologies for widespread adoption. 

Read more here. 

Innovative Wood Technologies

This area focuses on developing new processes and tools that maximize the value potential of hardwood resources, optimize sustainable forestry practices, and advance circular wood-based solutions. 

Read more here.

Monitoring Agri-Food and Forestry Systems

The emphasis is on creating user-friendly digital tools and establishing harmonized data systems that enhance sustainable soil management, forestry oversight, and agri-food practices through improved monitoring capabilities. 

Read more here.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

This theme addresses the development of platforms and collaborative models that facilitate co-creation, strengthen connections between scientific research and industry applications, and support the growth of bioeconomy innovation ecosystems. 

Read more here. 

Raising Bioeconomy Awareness

We seek creative educational tools that effectively increase public understanding, promote positive behavioural changes, and develop essential skills needed for the successful implementation of circular bioeconomy principles. 

Read more here.

◦ September 15, 2025: Official call opening and application submission period begins 

◦ November 15, 2025 (23:59 CET): Final deadline for application submissions 

◦ November 2025: Comprehensive evaluation and selection of the most promising solutions 

◦ December 20, 2025: Official announcement of selected winners 

◦ January – June 2026: Regional pitching events conducted across Hungary, Slovenia, Estonia, Bulgaria, and Czechia 

Be part of something bigger
Share your ideas and gain recognition across the BIOEAST macro-region — your voice can help shape the future of bioeconomy.

Connect with change-makers
Build meaningful relationships with researchers, policymakers, and innovators who share your passion for sustainable solutions.

Grow and inspire
Take part in collaborative learning, discover new opportunities, and see how your contributions can open doors to future projects and funding.

Why join?
Because your insights and experience matter. Together, we can spark the innovations that tomorrow’s bioeconomy needs.

Win the chance to participate in BIOEAST pitching events in 2026!

The pitching events will be organised in Hungary, Slovenia, Estonia, Bulgaria and Czechia, and selected participants will be provided with travel support.

Participants will have the opportunity to network with key bioeconomy stakeholders, and to showcase and defend their business cases to both local and European investors.

Earn prizes provided by the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC)!

BIC will reward:

◦  The highest scoring non-commercial actor (e.g. university, research institute, etc.) with a one-year free Associate BIC Membership.

◦  The highest scoring company with a free pitching session.

◦  Both winners and the second-highest-scoring solution will be invited to the next BIC Matchmaking Event in Brussels.

Get rewarded with Theme-specific awards!

Selected applicants may receive additional benefits from stakeholders within the BIOEAST HUBs and Thematic Working Groups. You can explore each theme on our website for more details.

Submit your detailed proposal by November 15, 2025, at 23:59 CET via the official
application form.

To apply:

◦  Choose the challenge theme that best fits your solution.

◦  Read the application guidelines to understand eligibility and evaluation criteria.

◦  Ensure your proposal is submitted in English and includes all required information.

◦  Multiple submissions are allowed, if they propose different solutions.

For complete details, visit the official challenge page:
https://bioeast.eu/open-innovation-challenge

Are you planning to apply to the BIOEAST OIC, and have questions or doubts that need clarification?

Join our Informative Webinar on October 31st at 10 CET!

You will be able to get insights on the OIC Themes, the application process, and the prizes. 

Register here:
https://forms.office.com/e/AFJEQWVZ5K

Join the BIOEAST Open Innovation Challenge and contribute to accelerating the transition toward a sustainable, innovative, and competitive bioeconomy in Central and Eastern Europe.