ECRN welcomes the publication of the European Commission’s new Strategic Framework for a Competitive and Sustainable EU Bioeconomy. The Strategy acknowledges the critical role of Europe’s regions in driving the transition toward a more resilient, circular and innovation-led bioeconomy—an emphasis that ECRN has consistently promoted in its engagement with EU institutions.

We are pleased to see strong alignment with several priorities included in our contribution to the public consultation, particularly the need to remove regulatory barriers, strengthen regional ecosystems, support integrated value chains, and promote the circular use of residues and by-products. The Strategy’s commitments on regulatory simplification, pilot and demonstration infrastructures, and industrial symbiosis reflect long-standing positions of our network and the experience of our member regions.

At the same time, important areas remain where further progress is needed. The absence of dedicated statistical classifications for bio-based sectors and the limited attention to specific deployment barriers for renewable fuels highlight opportunities for continued dialogue and improvements during implementation.

ECRN stands ready to work with the Commission, Member States, and regional authorities to ensure that the Strategy translates into concrete benefits for Europe’s territories, industries, and communities. We will continue to advocate for policies that enable regional innovation, strengthen local supply chains, and support the full potential of the European bioeconomy.

Together, we can build a more sustainable, competitive and regionally anchored bio-based future for Europe.