CAPBIO4BG: Developing the research and innovation capacity at the Agricultural University of Plovdiv to boost the regional innovation potential in bioeconomy


Title of the project: Developing the research and innovation capacity at the Agricultural University of Plovdiv to boost the regional innovation potential in bioeconomy

Acronym: CAPBIO4BG

Funding source: The National Program of the Ministry of Education and Science "European Scientific Networks"

Description:

The project was launched through an agreement concluded between the Ministry of Education and Science (MES) and AU-Plovdiv. The CAPBIO4BG project aims to improve the research and innovation capacity of the Agricultural University Plovdiv in the field of bioeconomy for the development and implementation of research and innovation projects in bioeconomy at the regional, national, cross-border and international level. The CAPBIO4BG project will increase the university's capacity for multidisciplinary cooperation in the field of scientific research and innovation as a key prerequisite for the implementation of regional bioeconomy strategies in Bulgaria and the region. Agrarian University Plovdiv will strengthen its position as an academic participant in the development of bioeconomy initiatives, including the development of a center for knowledge and innovation in the field of bioeconomy in the Plovdiv region. The project will promote systematic and integrated approaches to acquiring scientific knowledge and innovations in the field of bioeconomy and will build the capacity of the Agricultural University Plovdiv as a regional hub/center of bioeconomy knowledge.

Agricultural University Plovdiv partners with three European universities with excellent results in the field of bioeconomy: University of Bologna, Wageningen University and Research Center and University College Dublin.

The University of Bologna and the University of Wageningen are members of the European Bioeconomy Alliance (EBU), a network of excellence dedicated to the rapid transition to the bioeconomy, and University College Dublin has a leading role in bio-based innovation initiatives.

In the first year of implementation, the project stimulated the creation of a modernized Curriculum for a new specialty "Bioeconomics" at the Bachelor's level in the Faculty of Economics at AU Plovdiv. The curriculum of the specialty was approved by the Academic Council of AUP in September 2021. Additionally, Agrarian University launched a new master's program in Bioeconomy.

In the second year of the CAPBIO4BG implementation, AU-Plovdiv focused its work on the development of a concept of "living laboratories" and regional bioeconomy centers, which will allow it to increase the research potential of its researchers by engaging them in real applied bioeconomy projects, in order to connect science. The potential capacity of AU-Plovdiv will be tested and validated by the study of the "Living Laboratory of Bioeconomy" project with adoption of best practices from advanced partners and inclusion of important actors and interdisciplinary research and innovation projects. The "Living Laboratory of Bioeconomy" project will include activities for the transfer of a successful example of a "Living Laboratory" from the partner organizations, which can be applied to the regional bioeconomy of Plovdiv. The "Living Laboratory" will be designed to complement the current Regional Bioeconomy Strategy of Plovdiv together with regional stakeholders.

The project has the following objectives:

  • To increase the potential of teachers and scientists from the Agricultural University Plovdiv and will formulate a research program and profile for the Agricultural University and its partners in the field of bioeconomy. The focus will be on developing new research projects at the Agricultural University with leading partners and networks in which more advanced universities are already involved (bioeconomic networks, BIOEAST, FOODFORCE, FACCE-JPI and others.)
  • To develop a concept of "living laboratories" and regional bioeconomy hubs/centers, which will allow Agrarian University Plovdiv to increase the research potential of its employees by engaging them in real applied bioeconomy projects to connect the interaction between science, business, institutions, and stakeholders. Strengthening the research profile of Agrarian University Plovdiv by developing specific ideas for participation in Horizon Europe and ERA-NET programs.

Link: https://capbio4.bg/en/