Conceptual evolution of the Bioeconomy Strategy and initiatives supporting its development

The OECD’s The Bioeconomy to 2030: Designing a Policy Agenda, published in 2009, marked a significant step toward the development of national and regional bioeconomy strategies (OECD 2009). Following this, in 2011, the German Ministry of Education and Research introduced a national strategy titled The National Research Strategy BioEconomy 2030: Our Route Towards a Bio-based Economy, which was later supplemented in 2013 by the National Policy Strategy on Bioeconomy (National Bioeconomy Strategy 2013; Strategy 2011).

In 2012, the EC presented the first European bioeconomy strategy, titled Innovation for Sustainable Growth: A Bioeconomy for Europe (Bioeconomy Strategy 2012). This strategy emphasized the bioeconomy’s role in fostering smart and green growth, aiming to build a more innovative, resource-efficient, and competitive society. It sought to balance food security with the sustainable use of renewable resources for industrial purposes while ensuring environmental protection (Bioeconomy Strategy 2012).

Subsequently, in 2018, the EC published an updated strategy, A Sustainable Bioeconomy for Europe: Strengthening the Connection Between Economy, Society, and the Environment (Bioeconomy Strategy 2018). This update formed part of the EC’s broader efforts to promote employment, economic growth, and investment within the EU. The revised strategy aimed to expand and enhance the sustainable use of renewable resources to tackle both global and local challenges, including climate change and sustainable development. It was projected that the bioeconomy could create one million new green jobs by 2030 (Bioeconomy Strategy 2018).

Since the introduction of the first bioeconomy strategy, the EC has launched numerous initiatives targeting various sectors of the bioeconomy and emphasizing its importance. Notable examples include the European Green Deal (2019), the Circular Economy Action Plan (2020), the Farm to Fork Strategy (2020), the Biodiversity Strategy (2020), the Directive on the Promotion of the Use of Energy from Renewable Sources (2018), and the recently introduced European Wind Power Action Plan (2023). Additionally, the EC has committed to fulfilling the SDGs (SDGs 2015). The implementation of the bioeconomy is crucial for achieving the SDGs; accordingly, recent years have seen growing attention paid to the concept of a sustainable bioeconomy (Liobikiene et al. 2019).

According to the World Commission on Environment and Development (1987), sustainable development is defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This concept encompasses three main dimensions: environmental, economic, and social (Lozano 2008). However, various interpretations exist regarding how sustainable development should be conceptualized (Neto et al. 2018; Ramcilovic-Suominen and Pülzl 2018). Among the most well-known and widely adopted in research are the weak and strong sustainability approaches (Dietz and Neumayer 2007; Liu 2009; Neumayer 2003; Vatn 2009). This understanding of sustainable development can be defined in terms of two orientations: anthropocentric and ecocentric. The anthropocentric approach is essentially associated with the concept of weak sustainability and posits that natural capital and produced capital are perfectly substitutable. This approach implies that economic growth is necessary for environmental protection, and technological innovations can solve all environmental problems. On the other hand, the ecocentric approach is associated with strong sustainability and assumes that the substitutability of natural resources is limited. This means that certain human actions can have irreversible consequences, and environmental protection is necessary for economic growth (Mancebo 2013). Another approach is the biotechnology-oriented bioeconomy, in which economic growth emerges as a central element among the three pillars of the bioeconomy. Facilitating the development of the bioeconomy requires a range of initiatives and funding mechanisms (Liobikiene et al. 2019; Philp 2018; Schütte 2018; Woźniak and Twardowski 2018). From a social perspective, the advancement of biotechnology should contribute to rural development, labor market productivity, wage levels, and employment growth (D’Amato et al. 2017; Schütte 2018).

Furthermore, public perception of biotechnology and the acceptance of bio innovations are critical considerations when introducing biotechnological solutions to ensure sustainable development (Golembiewski et al. 2015; Lynch et al. 2017; Mustalahti 2018). Studies have shown that biotechnologies help mitigate negative environmental impacts, promote the use of renewable resources, and enhance agricultural production efficiency – particularly in food production (Aguilar et al. 2009; Woźniak and Twardowski 2018). Biotechnologies are expected to support the development of economic systems by enabling cleaner and safer production based on renewable resources and recycling (Bell et al. 2018; Lokko et al. 2018; Silveira et al. 2017). In terms of consumption, bioproducts offer a sustainable alternative to those derived from nonrenewable resources (Aguilar et al. 2018; Dupont-Inglis and Borg 2018).

An important issue concerning the development of the bioeconomy and biotechnology is the role of new genomic techniques (NGTs) in EU policy. The EC views NGTs as innovative tools that can enhance the sustainability and resilience of the food system, supporting the goals of the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork Strategy (EC 2023). This is particularly vital in the context of the current climate crisis and the urgent need to protect the environment and preserve biodiversity. NGTs enable the precise and efficient development of improved plant varieties that can better withstand climatic conditions and pests, require fewer fertilizers and pesticides, or deliver higher yields (EC 2023).

On July 5, 2023, the EC presented a draft proposal concerning plants developed using specific NGTs, outlining detailed and targeted provisions. The proposal applies exclusively to plants produced through targeted mutagenesis and cisgenesis, as well as to related food and feed products. According to Article 3(2) of the proposal, an NGT plant is defined strictly as one obtained by targeted mutagenesis or cisgenesis. Only plants meeting this definition would be eligible for the relaxed provisions of the proposed regulation; however, the regulation also addresses other plants by specifying that they will not benefit from such relaxed provisions (EC 2023). Although approval of the NGT proposal by the European Parliament and the Council may take several years, it represents a significant milestone in the regulatory development of NGTs (EC 2023).

Place of the bioeconomy in the strategic documents of the Wielkopolska Voivodeship

To date, no dedicated bioeconomy development strategy exists in the Wielkopolska Voivodeship. According to information from the Marshal’s Office, there are currently no plans to develop such a strategy for the region. However, various elements of the bioeconomy are indirectly included in other updated regional strategies, which incorporate provisions from relevant European and national documents in alignment with the current policy perspective. These reference documents include the European Green Deal (2019), the Farm to Fork Strategy (2020), the European Commission’s Hydrogen Strategy for a Climate-Neutral Europe (2020), the Recovery Plan for Europe^iv, and the Roadmap towards the Transition to the Circular Economy (2019).

The most significant strategic documents in the Wielkopolska Voivodeship that address the bioeconomy through their goals and actions include: – Regional Innovation Strategy for Wielkopolska 2030 (RIS 2030) (2020);

The main objective of the RIS 2030 Strategy (2020) is to enhance the innovation and competitiveness of the Wielkopolska Voivodeship through the development of smart specializations. The document identifies six such areas. One of the key specializations relevant to the bioeconomy is “Bioresources and food for conscious consumers,” which encompasses:

Another important smart specialization related to the regional bioeconomy is “Industry of Tomorrow”, which includes areas focused on the application of advanced production and special processes, as well as sustainable and efficient energy systems (RIS 2020).

Within the Strategy for the Development of the Wielkopolska Voivodeship until 2030 (2020), several key goals are outlined, including the “development of infrastructure with respect for the natural environment of Wielkopolska”. This goal encompasses operational objectives such as improving the condition and protection of the natural environment, increasing energy efficiency, and enhancing energy safety. From a bioeconomy perspective, significant directions for regional development include increasing and protecting water resources, improving water and air quality, enhancing waste management, preserving biodiversity, improving natural conditions for agriculture, increasing the use of renewable energy sources, and fostering pro-ecological behaviors and attitudes in society.

The strategy also emphasizes the development of emerging sectors driven by global trends – such as the bioeconomy, circular economy, and green economy – as new opportunities for regional growth. Additionally, it highlights the increasing ecological awareness among Europeans and reaffirms that agriculture is, and will remain, one of the fundamental sectors of the region’s economy (Strategy for the Development of the Wielkopolska Voivodeship 2020).

In 2022, the Strategy for the Development of Eastern Wielkopolska 2040 was introduced, reflecting the specific characteristics of the region. The strategy also addressed the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, both of which influence the region’s socio-economic development. A key objective in Eastern Wielkopolska is the transition from a coal-based economy to a modern economy built on alternative energy sources, including renewables and hydrogen while promoting sustainable development and respecting social considerations (Strategy for the Development of Wielkopolska 2022).

The strategy also highlights the region’s substantial agricultural and agri-food processing potential, which forms the foundation for bioeconomy development. Among the major challenges identified are the need to foster conditions for a zero-emission and circular economy – encompassing the bioeconomy – increase innovation in agriculture, improve resilience to climate change, and enhance the quality of the natural environment (Strategy for the Development of Eastern Wielkopolska 2022).

The Strategy for Climate Neutrality for Eastern Wielkopolska 2040 (2021) aims to “establish a new pro-climate approach to subregion development and indicate long-term action directions, resulting in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and improvement of air quality, development and increased use of renewable energy sources, and reducing the demand for nonrenewable primary energy and increasing energy efficiency” (Climate Neutrality Strategy 2021, p. 8).

The Strategy for the Development of Hydrogen Wielkopolska until 2030 with a Perspective until 2040 (2023) highlights the region’s potential to participate in the hydrogen economy. This potential is supported by favorable conditions for locating renewable energy sources, substantial biogas resources, a well-developed automotive industry, a strategic geographic location at the intersection of key transportation and planned hydrogen transmission routes, as well as the proactive involvement of the local government in the hydrogen sector (e.g., the establishment of the Wielkopolska Hydrogen Platform and the “Hydrogen School” project).

The Environmental Protection Program for the Wielkopolska Voivodeship until 2030 (2020) outlines several goals relevant to the bioeconomy, including climate and air quality protection, water and sewage management, reclamation and revitalization of degraded areas, waste management and prevention, increasing forest cover, biodiversity conservation, and fostering ecological awareness among the population.

The Wielkopolska Regional Action Plan for Sustainable Energy and Climate in the Field of Renewable Sources and Energy Efficiency with a Perspective until 2050 (2021), an update of the 2011 plan, underscores that reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the voivodeship will require substantial financial investment and long-term efforts. The COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine may impact the condition of enterprises, which may not have sufficient funds to undertake actions to improve energy efficiency. The plan also stresses that developing the hydrogen market for transport could play a major role in reducing emissions from the transport sector in Greater Poland. Additionally, the long-awaited implementation of an agricultural biogas plant construction program could offer a significant source of fuel for public transport in the region (Action Plan 2021).

The most recent documents relevant to the development of the regional bioeconomy include the Air Protection Program for the Wielkopolska Zone (2020) and the Waste Management Plan for the Wielkopolska Voivodeship for the Years 2019–2025, including the accompanying investment plan (2020). The scope of the Air Protection Program aligns with the objectives of bioeconomy development, as improving air quality is essential for enhancing both the quality of life and the health of Wielkopolska’s residents (Air Protection Program 2020). The Waste Management Plan includes a review of forecasts for changes in the quantity of collected and received municipal waste for the years 2017–2030, the processing capacities of municipal installations, as well as plans for the construction and expansion of facilities for processing selectively collected green waste and other biowaste. The updated waste management plan incorporates the regulations of the Circular Economy Package from 2018 (Directive 2018; Waste Management Plan 2020).

Local government activities toward the development of the bioeconomy: interview results

One of the main activities of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Marshal’s Office of the Wielkopolska Voivodeship in the area of bioeconomy is the coordination of efforts to reduce food waste at all stages – from production and storage to consumption. These efforts are aligned with the objectives outlined in the Development Strategy for the Wielkopolska Voivodeship. As a result, the Program for Reducing Food Waste and Losses in Wielkopolska for the Years 2021–2025 was adopted by the Board of the Wielkopolska Voivodeship in 2021.

Since the first half of 2021, grant competitions have been organized for nongovernmental organizations and local government units to reduce food waste. These competitions provide financial support for activities such as transporting and storing surplus food, involving aid organizations and food banks. Additionally, they support the creation of food-sharing points, the purchase of small mobile workshop kitchens, and the establishment of food waste reduction and food aid centers in five subregions. By 2023, approximately 3 million PLN had been allocated in the budget of the Wielkopolska Voivodeship Government to combat food waste (Kitchen Without Waste 2023).

Within the Department, activities are carried out on two levels:

The Department also supports local entrepreneurs by organizing exhibition booths at fairs, allowing stakeholders to present their products under the Marshal’s Office banner. Competitions are held for rural women’s circles to further engage community members.

In 2023, a collaborative initiative involving the Wielkopolska Voivodeship Government, the University of Life Sciences, and the Association of the Wielkopolska Food Bank in Poznañ resulted in the publication of a book titled Kitchen Without Waste: Reducing Food Waste (2023). The book features a variety of creative recipes developed by students from Wielkopolska who participated in culinary demonstrations and workshops.

An important unit supporting regional innovation is the Wielkopolska Innovation Observatory, which operates within the Department of Economy of the Wielkopolska Voivodeship Office in Poznañ. The department’s main tasks include:

The aim and role of the local government are to establish a platform for cooperation among various stakeholders, participate in the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process, and develop models of collaboration that support the transition from scientific research to product commercialization. The Wielkopolska Voivodeship Office offers support to entrepreneurs, scientists, and business environment institutions.

In developing a future regional bioeconomy strategy, it is essential to form a team of experts – comprising scientists, entrepreneurs, and representatives of business environment institutions – who will collectively identify actions and directions for advancing the bioeconomy in the region. The Wielkopolska Voivodeship Office actively collaborates with various stakeholders, including through established Smart Specialization Working Group Forums, such as the “Biomass and Food Working Group for Conscious Consumers”.

The Department of Economy also plays a role in promoting regional brands in global and European markets by enabling local entrepreneurs to showcase their products at food fairs. Additionally, it prepares attractive offers tailored to startups. The Wielkopolska Voivodeship Office has partnered with several Business Environment Institution incubation programs, including those run by the Turkish Chamber of Commerce, Prometeia, the Association for Supporting Entrepreneurship of the Gostyñ County, the Leszno Business Center, You Nick, the Wielkopolska Eco-Entrepreneurship Incubator, All For Innovators – Business Development Program from Wielkopolska, and CD Centrum Business Environment Institution.

An important opportunity for entrepreneurs in the Wielkopolska region is participation in the competition organized by the Wielkopolska Voivodeship Office, “i-Wielkopolska – Innovations for Wielkopolska”^v. In this competition, companies introducing innovative solutions to the market are recognized in two categories: “Smart Specializations for Wielkopolska” and “H2 Greater Poland.” All business entities operating in the Wielkopolska Voivodeship are eligible to participate. Winners receive cash prizes and promotional support during economic events organized by the Wielkopolska Voivodeship Office. The local government also supports the scientific sector by organizing the competition for the Marshal of the Wielkopolska Voivodeship Award “Wielkopolska for the Planet 2030”^vi. This competition is open to PhD holders, doctoral students, and regional enterprises. The aim is to promote the region’s contribution to achieving SDGs and to promote knowledge transfer to the economy, enabling real changes that incorporate pro-climate solutions in all areas of socio-economic life.

Representatives of the Wielkopolska Voivodeship Office also promote the region on the European stage and organize conferences and meetings for interested parties. Furthermore, the Office provides financial support through European Funds for Wielkopolska for the years 2021–2017^vii. For the development of the bioeconomy and biotechnology in the region, activities such as: supporting the transformation toward a circular economy and resource-efficient economy, supporting the R&D potential of research entities in the region and development of renewable energy sources are of particular importance.

The Department of Environmental and Climate Management is primarily responsible for issuing permits for the introduction of substances or energy into the environment and for granting concessions related to mining activities. It also issues decisions concerning waste management. The department prepares strategic documents addressing environmental protection, air quality, environmental noise, waste management, and asbestos removal.

In addition, the department carries out activities related to postimplementation analyses, ecological reviews, the designation of areas of limited use, and actions focused on climate protection. These include both the mitigation of climate change effects and adaptation strategies.

What key elements should be included in the development of a bioeconomy strategy?

The presence of regional strategies related to the bioeconomy largely depends on two key factors. First, in large and decentralized countries, regional bioeconomy strategies are more likely to exist. Second, if a national bioeconomy strategy is in place, it may guide regional and local actions, thereby reducing the need for separate regional strategies. In such cases, bioeconomy-related objectives may be embedded within broader strategic frameworks at subnational levels. Nonetheless, even when a national strategy exists, regional frameworks may still emerge to define specific actions and address regional specificities^viii.

In 2022, there were 359 bioeconomy-related strategies in the EU. Of the 334 published documents, 324 were regional in scope, and 10 represented multiregional strategic frameworks (e.g., cross-border, inter-regional, or macroregional) (Haarich and Kirchmayr-Novak, 2022). Approximately 77% of all strategies identified the sustainable management of natural resources as a primary objective. Reducing reliance on nonrenewable resources was also a frequently cited goal, present in 68% of strategies. Many strategies – especially those integrating bioeconomy themes into smart specialization or economic frameworks – emphasized the enhancement of regional competitiveness and job creation (63%). Additionally, the majority of strategies (57%) aligned with Europe’s overarching objective of mitigating and adapting to climate change, often in connection with the use of bio-based resources. Ensuring food security appeared less frequently, identified as a key goal in only 27% of strategies (Haarich and Kirchmayr-Novak 2022).

In Poland, 32 regional strategies related to the bioeconomy have been identified, including one explicitly dedicated to its development: the draft Bioeconomy Development Strategy for the Masovian Voivodeship. Among the 31 other strategic frameworks, 16 were sectoral strategies – 14 in the waste sector, one in agriculture/agri-food, and one in energy. The bioeconomy was also included in 15 broader strategic frameworks: eight research and innovation strategies and seven regional or territorial development strategies (Haarich and Kirchmayr-Novak 2022; Masovian Strategy 2021). Several strategic documents relevant to the bioeconomy were also identified in Wielkopolska, as detailed in Section 4.1.

An essential component of bioeconomy development is the publication and dissemination of research findings, as well as the sharing of best practices in the field. The Wielkopolska Voivodeship possesses significant research potential through its scientific and R&D institutions. Notable institutions benefiting from EU research funding include the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznañ University of Technology, and the £ukasiewicz Research Network.

Best practices suggest that the most effective approach to developing the bioeconomy is through the design and implementation of national strategies and/or action plans, supported by active stakeholder engagement and accompanied by strong implementation and monitoring frameworks (EC 2021). Among countries demonstrating exemplary high-level political support is Italy, where the government launched a national bioeconomy strategy in 2017, later updated in 2019 to better integrate the core pillars of the national bioeconomy. The updated strategy focuses on enhancing coordination among ministries and Italian regions in adapting policies, regulations, funding programs for research and innovation, and infrastructure investments. Its objective is to increase turnover and employment in the Italian bioeconomy by 15% by 2030 (BIT II 2019; Fava et al. 2021). Countries with exemplary practices in terms of fairness, openness, and inclusion of various stakeholders include Austria and Germany. In Austria, an important element of developing strategies was involving stakeholders and establishing an interdisciplinary advisory group, the bioeconomy platform (Austria Strategy 2019). In the German bioeconomy strategy (National Bioeconomy Strategy 2020), the need to use external specialized knowledge was emphasized. During the consultation process, feedback and recommendations were provided by 16 state governments, the German Bioeconomy Council, four scientific institutions, 17 industry associations, and 15 NGOs working in environmental protection, development, and consumer advocacy (EC 2021).

At the EU level, numerous regional bioeconomy strategies have also been developed. In Germany alone, six regions have published strategies fully dedicated to the bioeconomy (EC 2021).

Regional bioeconomy strategies are crucial for improving living conditions in urban and rural areas and for sustainably managing natural resources. Achieving a sustainable future requires both a global perspective – through the creation of international governance frameworks – and local action, including public education, awareness campaigns, stakeholder engagement, and collaborative projects. Long-term thinking must also be prioritized. Increasing awareness and knowledge about the bioeconomy should begin at the local level and actively involve younger generations. Therefore, mobilizing local and regional communities and fostering their understanding of the bioeconomy is crucial. Environmental awareness surveys conducted by the Wielkopolska Spatial Planning Office in Poznañ, involving 1,200 residents, highlighted the importance of the natural environment to the people of Wielkopolska – 84% of respondents considered it important. However, 64% of respondents evaluated the state of the environment negatively, while only 29% rated it positively. Two-thirds of respondents believed that the state of the natural environment depends on the actions of each individual. Furthermore, residents believed that the environment’s state hinges on society’s recognition of environmental issues as important (41%), the government’s emphasis on environmental issues (38%), the formulation and enforcement of appropriate legal regulations (36%), and the activities of local authorities in environmental protection (32%). Respondents indicated that both individuals and government authorities play roles in shaping ecological attitudes and behaviors, with 60% and 58% of respondents attributing responsibility to them, respectively^x. Residents of the Wielkopolska demonstrated awareness of ongoing climate change (96% of respondents). About 88% of respondents believed that residents should take action to minimize the adverse effects of climate change, while 50% pointed to central government authorities^xi.

A strategy or action plan for developing the regional bioeconomy should include a concept that improves the organization of education and the dissemination of knowledge – particularly among the general population, youth, and children. This may involve organizing workshops, webinars, thematic meetings, and informational campaigns conducted throughout the region. At the national level, it is equally important to align educational programs with current development trends. Such alignment will not only enhance students’ knowledge in areas such as the bioeconomy, circular economy, recycling, eco-design principles, and sustainable development but also prepare them for future employment in emerging industries.

Several universities in Poznañ offer courses related to the bioeconomy. These include Adam Mickiewicz University^xii (e.g., Faculty of Chemistry, Biology, and Physics), the University of Life Sciences^xiii (e.g., Faculty of Agriculture and Bioengineering, Faculty of Forestry, Faculty of Food and Human Nutrition, Faculty of Wood Technology), Karol Marcinkowski Medical University^xiv (Medical Biotechnology), and Poznañ University of Technology^xv (e.g., Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Faculty of Bioinformatics).

The transition to a sustainable, closed-loop bioeconomy in the Member States will require the involvement of numerous entities over extended periods, both within and beyond government structures. To enable such engagement, it is essential to create space for collaboration in identifying, designing, and implementing a shared vision for the bioeconomy. An illustrative example is the BIOEAST HUB CZ in the Czech Republic, which brings together more than 100 stakeholders – including research institutions, technological platforms, companies, and NGOs (EC 2021)^xvi.

Transitioning to a closed-loop bioeconomy often extends beyond the jurisdiction of any single government department. A key challenge lies in building collective leadership capacity to introduce innovations across the entire government. This requires integrating bioeconomy principles into multiple policy areas, such as entrepreneurship, environmental and climate policy, the circular economy, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, scientific research, innovation, and education (EC 2021).

Transitioning to a sustainable, closed-loop bioeconomy will also require behavioral changes at the individual level, including among raw material producers, consumers, and society as a whole (Fritsche et al. 2021; Gaffey et al. 2021). Communication activities are therefore essential, involving active engagement and actions with all interested parties (Kelleher et al. 2021).

At the national level, a bioeconomy strategy should include provisions to eliminate legal loopholes – such as those affecting the operation of biogas plants. The strategy should also address the need for easily accessible financial support for investors and establish a streamlined process for obtaining the necessary administrative approvals for biogas plant construction^xvii.

In 2022, the Wielkopolska Voivodeship had 35 biogas installations^xviii, making it one of the leading regions in terms of biogas production potential. With its extensive agricultural land and a well-developed agri-food sector, the region has strong potential for the further development of agricultural biogas plants. However, the Polish biogas and biomethane market faces administrative barriers that have effectively limited the sector’s development to date. Proposed regulations that liberalize the functioning of biogas plants may represent a new opportunity for the industry.

Moreover, a future bioeconomy strategy should define clear conditions for better organizing and distributing biomass resources, thereby contributing to more efficient and resilient supply chains (Environmental Protection Program 2020; Wielkopolska Hydrogen Development Strategy 2023; Woźniak 2015).

A comprehensive bioeconomy policy must also align with broader environmental and waste management objectives. One critical area requiring immediate attention is the implementation of European Union directives concerning waste. Directive (EU) 2018/851, which amends the Waste Framework Directive, introduced the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) across the EU. However, EPR has not yet been transposed into Polish law, despite the legislative deadline expiring on January 5, 2023. Under EPR, producers placing products on the market are financially and organizationally responsible for the product throughout its lifecycle, up to the point it becomes waste. The prolonged legislative work on this issue primarily has a negative impact on residents, as they bear all the costs of operating municipal waste management systems, and also on recycling companies^xix,xx,xxi. Beyond appropriate legal frameworks, addressing mental and institutional barriers is also necessary. Enhancing understanding of waste management principles among municipal authorities, entrepreneurs, and the wider public is key to achieving effective outcomes.

Another important component of the regional strategy is the establishment of principles for monitoring bioeconomy development. It is essential to define indicators that can be used to assess the state of the bioeconomy in the region and allow for comparison with other regions. This requires filling existing gaps in statistical data sources. Special attention should be paid to the classification of bioeconomy-related indicators, including the potential for distinguishing circular economy and bioeconomy indicators at the NUTS 2 and NUTS 3 levels. The overarching goal is to implement and integrate various databases and leverage their contents to demonstrate to the public the progress being made toward achieving strategic bioeconomy development goals (Gardossi et al. 2023).