IT 
BIOSTARS is an approved project within the Interreg Euro-MED Programme aimed at promoting the use of bioeconomy in rural areas of the Mediterranean to foster sustainable development, preserve biodiversity, and boost economic growth in rural communities.
The partnership includes nine institutional and network partners from Italy, Cyprus, Greece, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Spain, working together to build a circular bio-based industrial ecosystem involving start-ups, social entrepreneurs, investors, and local communities.
At the heart of the project is the creation of the BIOSTARS toolbox, a circular bioeconomy toolkit combining biobased technical solutions and social innovations from previous projects like Horizon BIOLOC and Interreg Euro-MED REVIVE. This toolkit will assist rural communities in adopting bioeconomy practices, focusing on transforming existing villages or creating new “bioeconomy start-up villages”.
Project Full Title:
BIOSTARS – Systemic Circular Bioeconomy Solutions to Support Start-ups and Social-Driven Innovation in Rural Areas
Programme: Interreg Euro-MED – Innovative and Sustainable Economy Mission
Duration: 27 months (April 2025 – June 2027)
Budget: €1,500,000 (EU contribution €1,200,000)
Lead Partner: CERTH – Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (Greece)
Partner:
- CERTH – Centre for Research and Technology Hellas – Greece
- SDEWES – International centre for sustainable development of energy, water and environmental systems – Croatia
- CTA – Technological Corporation of Andalusia – Spain
- CORALLIA – Athena R&I Center in Information, Communication and Knowledge Technologies Corallia Unit – Greece
- SERDA – Sarajevo Economic Region Development Agency – Bosnia Herzegovina
- ANETEL – Larnaca and Famagusta Districts Development Agency – Cyprus
- ADAD – Association for the Development of the Aljarafe Doñana Region – Spain
- CUEIM – University Consortium for Industrial and Managerial Economy – Italy
- CEI – Central European Initiative – Executive Secretariat – Italy
Goals
- Foster the development of a sustainable bioeconomy in Mediterranean rural areas
- Promote an innovative ecosystem involving start-ups, social entrepreneurs, and local communities
- Develop and disseminate the BIOSTARS toolbox to support circular bioeconomy practices
- Create bioeconomy villages and innovation hubs in key sectors such as agrifood, biological waste management, bio-based materials, and digital technologies
- Strengthen transnational cooperation and networking among partners and stakeholders
Intended for
The project supports the use of bioeconomy in rural areas of the Mediterranean, involving local communities, start-ups, and public institutions in a sustainable innovation process. Key beneficiaries include:
- Rural communities interested in sustainable development
- Start-ups and social entrepreneurs in the bioeconomy sector
- Young innovators and women-led enterprises
- Public authorities and policy makers
- Social innovation networks and local partners
- Investors and circular bioeconomy stakeholders
Research Output
- Creation of the BIOSTARS toolbox, a circular bioeconomy toolkit
- Activation of pilot bioeconomy villages in the involved rural areas
- Establishment of local start-up hubs for innovation
- Strengthening of networks among social innovation and entrepreneurial actors
- Implementation of training and awareness-raising activities targeting stakeholders and public authorities
- Active engagement of young innovators and women-led enterprises
- Support for local policies through knowledge transfer and training
CUEIM will play a central role by providing socio-economic and techno-economic support, facilitating the creation of entrepreneurship “hot spots” in Italy, and acting as a liaison with public authorities to promote policy learning and the integration of bioeconomy practices
