Speaker
Description
This paper explores governance frameworks and transferable policy innovations within the European bioeconomy planning context, drawing insights from Germany, France, and Belgium to address planning challenges for developing the bioeconomy in counties with slow development such as Ireland. It situates the bioeconomy as a transformative regional planning concept requiring multi-level governance, transboundary collaboration, and inclusive institutional mechanisms to foster sustainability and regional equity. Key governance dimensions are identified, including multi-level coordination, participatory governance, and reflexive science-policy interfaces. German innovations, such as the National Research Strategy Bioeconomy 2030, highlight the importance of balanced funding models that combine long-term institutional stability with adaptive project-specific investments. France’s participatory frameworks and Belgium’s cluster-based initiatives further emphasise the need for inclusive stakeholder engagement and regional adaptability. These approaches inform the potential for regions to develop Bioeconomy Hubs, fostering cross-sectoral innovation clusters and living labs as platforms for localised experimentation. The paper focuses on critical themes such as equitable resource management, socio-economic inclusivity, and environmental sustainability in regional planning. France’s cascading biomass use principle and Belgium’s circular economy integration offer replicable models to harmonise regional planning for economic development in coordination with ecological preservation. Regional planning systems, in Ireland as elsewhere, must incorporate bioeconomy governance frameworks to address land-use conflicts, support small enterprises, and ensure robust public-private partnerships to drive innovation while mitigating socio-environmental trade-offs. By aligning with EU priorities, leveraging transnational collaborations, and embedding reflexive and participatory governance practices, regional planning can create a bioeconomy that transcends traditional administrative silos and territorial boundaries. This study demonstrates how the interplay of institutions, actors, and ideas can enable transformative governance to better position regions with slower development as leaders in sustainable bioeconomic planning, providing valuable insights for planning disciplines worldwide.
| Best Congress Paper Award | No |
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