27th February 2025

BIOEAST HUB CR’s Networking Friday: Strengthening International Collaboration in the BIOEAST Macro-Region

BIOEAST HUB CR has launched Networking Friday, a new online initiative designed as a recurring brokerage event to enhance collaboration within the bioeconomy sector. Marie Kubáňková, BIOEAST HUB CR Coordinator, explained that the aim of Networking Friday is to support organizations from the BIOEAST macro-region in finding new partners and expanding cooperation opportunities.

The first Networking Friday session brought together representatives from three BIOEAST countries alongside a well-established and experienced organization from Ireland, who introduced their core activities and areas of focus.

Smart Food Cluster (Lithuania)

- The Smart Food Cluster (Lithuania), managed by LITMEA, presented its efforts in sustainable food systems, emphasizing bio-based ingredients, circular packaging, and food waste reduction. Representing over 120 members from the agri-food, food processing, and manufacturing sectors, the cluster focuses on enhancing competitiveness, fostering innovation, and building international partnerships. Engaged in European projects such as ZeroW, TRUST FOOD, and EPIC, it plays a key role in supporting SMEs in transitioning to greener business models.

Green Energy & Agrofood Clusters (Romania)

- The Romanian Green Energy & Agrofood Clusters showcased their initiatives in bioenergy, agrifood innovation, and ethical food production, reinforcing their commitment to regional development. The Green Energy Cluster focuses on bioenergy villages, biomass value chains, and clean energy, while the Agrofood Cluster promotes ethical food production and short supply chains. Their work includes bioproduct research, start-up accelerators, and international collaboration, with active participation in projects like BioVillMAP and Cee2Act to expand cluster ecosystems and share expertise.

Union Farmers Parliament (Latvia - ZSA)

- The Union Farmers Parliament (Latvia - ZSA) advocates for farmers’ interests in Latvia and across Europe, engaging in policy discussions, agricultural innovation, nutrient recycling, and circular economy solutions. As a COPA-COGECA member, ZSA influences agro-political decisions, develops legal recommendations, and implements 17 ongoing national and international projects. The organization plays a key role in bridging farmers with policymakers, NGOs, and research institutions, ensuring the sustainability and resilience of agricultural systems.

F6S Innovation

- F6S Innovation, a global leader in corporate innovation, connects over 5.5 million founders and startups with corporations worldwide through a digital-first approach. As the #1 Corporate Innovation Community, F6S facilitates partnerships, investments, and mergers & acquisitions, with a network of 4,000+ corporate entities. The F6S Innovation Framework supports over 1.6 million tech startups and SMEs in scaling their innovation strategies, while its involvement in Horizon Europe-funded projects drives impactful collaboration across industries.

Networking Friday is emerging as a strategic hub for international cooperation, knowledge exchange, and innovation-driven partnerships within the bioeconomy sector. By connecting industry experts, policymakers, and research institutions, it plays a crucial role in advancing sustainable solutions and fostering cross-border collaborations. This brokerage event provides a unique opportunity for stakeholders to explore funding opportunities, discuss best practices, and integrate sustainable innovations into regional strategies. Through its broader mission, BIOEAST HUB CR facilitates access to EU bioeconomy networks, promotes technology transfer, and organizes matchmaking events, ensuring that regional stakeholders benefit from cutting-edge expertise and long-term cooperation.