From 13–15 May 2026, partners of the BIO-INSPIRE project gathered in Vilnius for the project’s General Assembly Meeting and related networking activities. The event brought together representatives of the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) and the BIO-INSPIRE consortium, fostering new partnerships in bioeconomy innovation. The event created an opportunity to exchange the latest developments in life sciences, biotechnology, and the bioeconomy, while strengthening networking, collaboration, and future international partnerships.
The programme began on 13 May during the LithuaniaBIO-hosted Day of Life Sciences, Biotechnology, and Bioeconomy at the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences in Vilnius, where attendees joined the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) Info Day in Lithuania 2026. The session provided detailed insights into the scope of the upcoming 2026 CBE JU call topics, application rules, and funding conditions. Guest speaker Simone Maccaferri from CBE JU outlined the programme’s strategic priorities and encouraged stronger engagement from regional stakeholders in future European bioeconomy initiatives.
The day concluded with a matchmaking session dedicated to fostering new partnerships and strengthening collaboration for upcoming Horizon Europe and Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking calls. During this session, Yannis Fallas from the Cluster of Bioeconomy and Environment of Western Macedonia and Vicky Mosteyrin from Greenovate Europe shared practical insights on building successful international consortia and preparing competitive Horizon Europe proposals. Following the presentations, the matchmaking session was divided into thematic groups moderated by Virginija Kargytė, Inga Matijošytė, and Ieva Gaubė. Interactive discussions and networking sessions allowed participants to identify common interests, exchange ideas, and explore future collaboration opportunities across the European bioeconomy community.
The General Assembly activities continued on 14 and 15 May with dedicated BIO-INSPIRE consortium meetings, work-package overviews, discussions, and knowledge-transfer activities. Partners reviewed ongoing project activities, exchanged updates across work packages, and discussed future actions and next steps for the consortium.
The programme also included a synergies workshop with CBE JU and local stakeholders, focusing on cooperation opportunities between regional and European bioeconomy actors. The workshop further supported collaboration and knowledge exchange among consortium partners and stakeholders.
The event was co-organised by LithuaniaBIO and the BIO-INSPIRE consortium, with contributions from the Research Council of Lithuania, National Contact Points, the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU), and the DIVERSE_GENE_WATCH project.
BIO-INSPIRE partner LithuaniaBIO leading contacts:
inga.matijosyte@lithuaniabio.com.
virginija.kargyte@lithuaniabio.com
