International experts participate in the BLOOM innovation route and knowledge exchange organized by ceiA3
In the Spanish circular bioeconomy hub, propelled by ceiA3 as part of the Bloom project, a series of outreach activities have been organized with the aim to raise awareness on bioeconomy in the general public. The outreach activities were designed in the co-creation workshops that took place from November 2018 until May 2019.
The experts that took part in those workshops had the opportunity to discuss, based on their professional experience, questions around the current situation and knowledge on the bioeconomy and its potential, as well as around what kind of communication strategy to implement in order to make this knowledge more accessible for society. They defined a target group, the message that they wanted to transmit, the outreach activities to be organized and the most suitable and efficient communication channels to be used. In this context the Innovation Route took place on 12th June, with the aim of bringing successful bioeconomy innovations closer to society. More than 30 persons took part, among them members of the “Red INNOVAGRO”. During the event, Grupo La Caña and Bodegas Robles introduced us to the world of efficient irrigation and bio-fertilizers among others, and they showed us the concrete advantages of the implementation of bioeconomy solutions.
During the visit to Grupo La Caña, situated in Motril (Granada, Spain), we were introduced to the project bioREFINA, a new circular economy model that transforms organic waste generated in the agricultural production of fruit and vegetables into high quality bio-fertilizer and biogas, providing energetic self-sufficiency. Moreover, we got to know other initiatives like AGUACAVALUE, an initiative that generates new side products from avocado cultivation for animal feed and for cosmetics, or the project Biotomato (part of the H2020 project SME Innovation Associate) which aims at producing more nutritious tomatoes through biofortification.
Later on, we had the opportunity to visit Bodegas Robles in Montilla (Córdoba), where we were introduced to their project to reduce energy dependency, as well as activities to recycle waste and side products from the wine industry. The project includes the design of artificial wetlands for better water reuse and management. Moreover, we had the chance to taste some of their products, like organic vinegar, wine, jam and jelly.
On 13th June our bioeconomy Open Space took place, which was also designed in the co-creation workshops. It included an exhibition of around 20 posters, showcasing national and international bioeconomy initiatives. Representatives from those initiatives were present during the Open Space, answering questions and thus fostering the knowledge exchange and dissemination around the different dimensions of bioeconomy implementation.
Have a look at our video to find out more about the innovation route and the bioeconomy Open Space!
Rocio Juste Ballesteros, ceiA3
