The 2019 Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP) is the sixth one on the critical path towards 2020. It continues to be based on the acceleration of the development of new sustainable value chains from biomass feedstock supply via efficient processing, to the acceptance and application of bio-based products in the end-markets.The AWP 2019 confirms the focus on better integrating biomass feedstock suppliers at the front end of the value chain, creating a demand for biomass feedstock from biorefining processes. Similarly, the AWP will stimulate the building of partnerships with end market actors to create a ‘market pull’ for bio-based products for identified applications.
The Strategic Innovation and Research Agenda (SIRA) of 2013 included the main defined technological
and innovation challenges to developing sustainable and competitive bio-based industries in Europe.
It was adjusted in 2017 namely through the addition of some new objectives that reflect the ambitions of members of the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC).A priority paper 2019-2020 has been developed by BIC in collaboration with the EC considering the factual results from the 2014 – 2016 calls and the content of BBI JU AWP 2017 and 2018 versus the 2020 goals set out in the SIRA. As a result of this analysis, the scientific priorities for 2019 are the following, well aligned with the four strategic orientations of the SIRA:
1. foster the supply of sustainable biomass feedstock to feed both existing and new value chains;
2. optimise efficient processing for integrated biorefineries through research, development and
innovation;
3. develop innovative bio-based products for identified market applications;
4. create and accelerate the market-uptake of bio-based products and applications.
In 2019 the call has an indicative budget of EUR 135 million for a total of 21 topics with 10 RIAs topics,
4 CSAs, 4 DEMOs and 3 FLAGs.
In 2019 the programme office will face a considerable increase in workload while consolidating and fine tuning the reporting landscape on financial contribution and leverage effect (as approved by the BBI JU GB in 2018). In order to keep BBI JU operation standards at the highest quality, the Staff Establishment Plan (SEP) may be proposed for adjustment within a neutral administrative budget impact over the programming period.The interim evaluation report of BBI JU performed by the EC with the support of independent experts highlighted the positive impact of the programme on the structuring effect for the European Bio-based Industries sector, the high level of SME participation, the openness of the calls for proposals and underlined the actions favouring a widened participation.
Following the recommendations of the 11 experts, and on top of its core mission, the BBI JU programme office together with its founding partners EC and BIC developed a detailed action plan published in July 2018. The action plan addresses all recommendations from the experts including the promotion of the widening participation strategy, the further development of synergies and complementarities with other initiatives, the fine-tuning and monitoring of KPIs and socio-economic and environmental impact of the projects.
Another priority for 2019 will be to analyse and communicate the impact and the added value of the BBI JU iPPP and its project portfolio to a wide audience of stakeholders. To do so, the BBI JU will undertake more detailed analyses and studies about the socio-economic and environmental impact of BBI JU projects and demonstrate the added value of the initiative. Results and achievements of completed BBI JU’s projects will be widely communicated with a specific focus on the scientific advancements and to the market uptake potential.
This communication will be supported by specific tools and campaigns (including events) to communicate the added value of BBI initiative in the daily lives of EU citizens, as specifically requested by several EU institutions. And finally, in December 2019 BBI JU will organise the second BBI JU Stakeholder Forum keeping the successful format of 2017 with a specific focus on output, impact and benefits for the EU citizens.