ToBeReaL: Empowering bioeconomy projects by deploying Technical, Business, Regulatory and Social services


Title: Empowering bioeconomy projects by deploying Technical, Business, Regulatory and Social services

Acronym: ToBeReaL

Funding source: Horizon Europe

Implementation period: 11/2024 – 10/2029

Target groups: Bioeconomy actors from European countries, with particular focus on underdeveloped regions

Description:

ToBeReaL is designed to empower bioeconomy projects through a strategic support framework spanning four key dimensions: Technical (T), Business & Financial (B), Regulatory & Legal (R), and Social Innovation (S). The project’s core objective is to boost the readiness and scalability of at least 30 bioeconomy projects across Europe, with a strong focus on underdeveloped and transition regions. The main objectives and activities of the project are:

  • Identification of future needs, barriers and enablers to formulate strategies aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of novel bioeconomy projects across EU regions and facilitating the transition from a fossil-based to a bio-based economy – resulting in open reports on EU bioeconomy regions and various aspects of their developments. 
  • Support to bioeconomy projects by addressing the readiness levels that hamper their feasibility and scalability – providing specialized portfolio of services in the Technical, Business and Financial, Regulatory and Legal, and Social verticals of assistance to be applied along 5 years, including long-term support.
  • Attracting bioeconomy stakeholders via the community platform, targeted webinars, feedstock workshops and BioPitch Forums and fostering networking with multi-actors in the bioeconomy.
  • Fostering the long-term growth of projects by actively ensuring their progression towards flagship status, with a particular focus on regions where bioeconomy is currently underdeveloped.

ToBeReaL follows a five-phase holistic methodology:

  1. Needs and barriers assessment – Identifying challenges in technological, regulatory, financial, and social domains;
  2. Framework setup – Creating protocols and a service portfolio aligned with four verticals (T, B, R, S);
  3. Project evaluation & assistance – Continuous open call and a rigorous readiness level (RL) assessment;
  4. Stakeholder engagement – Inclusive participation through workshops, webinars, and forums;
  5. Long-term assistance – Continuous mentoring, strategic roadmaps, and platform-based networking to achieve flagship outcomes.

ToBeReaL provides comprehensive assistance with a particular focus on the critical areas where innovative initiatives often encounter challenges in scaling effectively. The project offers tailored support services to bioeconomy projects that apply via simple application procedure and are positively evaluated by selected evaluators. With up to 60 ToBe Coins, the beneficiaries have a chance to choose their own mix of services from four high-impact areas. The services of ToBeReaL as summarized in the infographics.

Link to the website: https://www.tobereal.eu/

Link to the application form: https://www.tobereal.eu/application-to-tobereal-services/