The Central European Initiative for the promotion of bioenergy in Central, East and South-East Europe Peter Canciani CEI Project Manager 3 RD ANNUAL FORUM OF THE EU STRATEGY FOR THE DANUBE REGION SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT TO THE DANUBE STRATEGY Vienna. June 24-25, 2014 Regional Cooperation for European Integration - A Bridge between Macroregions
The Central European Initiative The CENTRAL EUROPEAN INITIATIVE (CEI) is the oldest intergovernmental organization of its kind in this part of Europe, being established in 1989 as the first forum promoting regional cooperation in Central, East and South-East Europe The CEI has now 18 Member Countries, spreading from the Adriatic to the Black Sea and the Baltic, with a population of more than 240 million 10 are EU Member States Others are at different levels of relationship with the EU: Candidates and Potential Candidates, or EU Neighbours encompassed by EU Eastern Partnership Policy CEI Member Countries are different from most points of view, but over more than 20 years of collaboration have consolidated a shared vision and a common mission The Central European Initiative (CEI), a regional intergovernmental forum open to change, is committed to supporting European integration through cooperation between and among its Member States and with the European Union (EU), other interested public institutions or private and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as well as international and regional organisations. Regional Cooperation for European Integration - A Bridge between Macroregions 1
The Central European Initiative Regional Cooperation for European Integration while providing A Bridge betw een Macroregions Coinciding themes and goals: Overlapping membership: 13 out of 14 Countries encompassed by the EUSDR; 7 countries in common with the EUSAIR, and 1 with the EUSBR 10 areas of cooperation, grouped into 3 main thematic pillars: Towards a Knowledge-based Society; Towards a Sustainable Economy and Development; Towards an Inclusive Society Regional Cooperation for European Integration - A Bridge between Macroregions 2
The Central European Initiative CEI Strategic Approach to Regional Cooperation pivots on four objectives: Support CEI Member Countries on their path towards EU integration Promote the alignment of CEI Member Countries to EU standards and the acquis Implement small and medium-sized projects Open to convert constructive ideas into innovative results The CEI is committed to contribute to the successful implementation of EU macro-regional strategies by participating in relevant activities as a main stakeholder Regional Cooperation for European Integration - A Bridge between Macroregions 3
The Central European Initiative The CEI is not only a platform for political dialogue: we developed a specific methodology combining multilateral diplomacy and project management, with a series of activities focusing on the region. Noticeably, we are engaged in projects both as recipient of funds and as a donor through our dedicated instruments: the Knowhow Exchange Programme, the CEI Cooperation Fund and the CEI Trust Fund at the EBRD Regional Cooperation for European Integration - A Bridge between Macroregions 4
CEI for the Bioeconomy The CEI Plan of Action 2014-2016 prioritizes Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, with particular regards to Advanced Biofuels and the Bioeconomy The Plan of Action has been negotiated and adopted by all 18 CEI Member Countries in 2013; they expressed a common position and a mandate to explore the potential of bioenergy in the CEI area, while acting as «focal point for awareness building at governmental level» Over the past decade, CEI has been devoting growing attention to the promotion of RES and EE in its Member Countries. Conversion of biomass into energy is particularly interesting for the region, owing to strong agriculture & forestry sectors and to relevant academic and industrial capacities. CEI Countries could benefit in terms of rural development, energy security, innovation, job creation. Relevant impact on economic growth might be expected In 2012 we commissioned to Bloomberg a Report on Advanced Biofuels in CEI Countries Downloadable from: www.cei.it/bloomberg Regional Cooperation for European Integration - A Bridge between Macroregions 5
CEI for the Bioeconomy At decision-making level, CEI organizes the Annual Meeting of Ministers for Science and Technology, which is a privileged occasion for policy-makers to discuss common challenges and joint strategies. At stakeholders level, CEI established the CEI Network of Science and Technology which includes Centres of Excellence operating in the region, also in the specific field of Bioeconomy. Moreover, we are constantly expanding our contacts with actors along the Bioeconomy value chains, in particular with research institutions, CSOs and investors. At operational level, we established pro-active dialogue with the EC and leading sectorspecific fora. In particular. the CEI participates as observer in the Steering Platform on Research for the Western Balkans and the Steering Group of EUSDR PA7 (Development of the Knowledge Society through Research, Education and Information Technologies) CEI capacity in designing and implementing EU-funded projects involving partners from Candidate and Neighbouring Countries, is a major asset that allows us contributing to the EU enlargement process Regional Cooperation for European Integration - A Bridge between Macroregions 6
S2BIOM Sustainable supply of nonfood biomass to support a resourceefficient Bioeconomy in Europe Funding programme: 7th Framework Programme Funding volume: > 5 Mio Duration: 36 Month (09/2013 08/2016) Participation: 31 Partners from 16 countries Project website: www.s2biom.eu This project has received funding from the European Union s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no 608622. Regional Cooperation for European Integration - A Bridge between Macroregions 7
Main objective: Delivery of sustainable supply of non-food biomass to support a resource-efficient Bioeconomy in Europe Objectives Secure indigenous and sustainable biomass supply to meet targets for 2020 and beyond (2030) Policy and implementation of sustainability criteria (RED baseline) Support and financing (public and private investment) for biomass deployment Access to consistent update information on sustainable biomass supply Activities Analysis of the biomass potential and conversion pathways Analysis of policy frameworks and application of sustainability criteria Development of a web-based interactive tool and material for the support of the economy, research and policy Development of Strategies, Roadmaps and Toolbox to facilitate planning and deployment Key outputs Coherent datasets for national statistics and reporting obligations Benchmarking, capacity building, transfer of knowledge and engagement of stakeholders Strategies, Action Plans and implementation case studies in collaboration with industry User friendly web based toolbox with open access to public. Regional Cooperation for European Integration - A Bridge between Macroregions 8
Theme 1 (WP1 WP4) WP1: Sustainable biomass costsupply WP2: Biomass conversion technologies for energy and bio-based products WP3: Optimal logistics for sustainable non-food biomass feedstock delivery chains WP4: Toolset for interactive biomass supply demand matching in sustainable biomass value chains Regional Cooperation for European Integration - A Bridge between Macroregions 9
Theme 2 (WP5 WP8) Theme 3 (WP9 WP10) WP5: Value chain sustainability across the bio-based sectors WP6: Regulatory & financial framework to mobilise non-food biomass to bio-based products & bioenergy market WP7: Integrated Assessment- Optimisation of biomass supply chains to satisfy the demand WP8: Development of a vision, strategies, implementation plans and a R&D roadmap Theme 1: Results Theme 2: Results WP9: Regional adaptation & application, user integration, testing, validation and implementation planning WP10: Stakeholder engagement, cooperation with initiatives, dissemination and exploitation of results The CEI is engaged in designing and implementing a set of case studies in the Danube Region to validate data on biomass availability, and asses the applicability of measures proposed by S2BIOM beyond EU28. Regional Cooperation for European Integration - A Bridge between Macroregions 10
Key questions S2Biom aims to inform: Where can I find biomass? What type of biomass? What are the biomass supply options and costs? How can sustainability requirements be safeguarded? How can I choose the right location for my plant? What are the prospects for the markets? What is the policy landscape? Which financing options are available? Capacity building Capacity mapping Technology mapping Regional Cooperation for European Integration - A Bridge between Macroregions 11
Danube-INCO.NET Advancing Research and Innovation in the Danube Region Funding programme: 7th Framework Programme Funding volume: > 2 Mio Duration: 36 Month (01/2014 12/2016) Participation: 19 Partners from 14 countries Project website: http://danube-inco.net/ This project has received funding from the European Union s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no 609497. Regional Cooperation for European Integration - A Bridge between Macroregions 12
Coordination and Support Action for International Cooperation in Research and Innovation WP1 Project Management WP2 Policy Dialogue WP3 Tackling Societal Challenges: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in a Biobased Economy WP4 Analytical Evidence on Research and Innovation in the Danube Region WP5 Promoting Innovative and Inclusive Danube Societies WP6 Scaling up Danube Funding Mechanisms WP7 Communication and Dissemination Regional Cooperation for European Integration - A Bridge between Macroregions 13
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In the framework of Danube-INCO.NET, the CEI will contribute to: promoting clustering and «triple-helix» networking identifying synergies and complementarities with on-going energy-related activities (such as JRC-DBN; EUSDR PA2; EBTP; DREN; KIC INNOENERGY; other FP7 projects) implementing two pilot activities T3.1 T3.2 T3.3 Database of stakeholders (Deliverable D3.7, M6) Analysis of the institutional framework (M23) 5 workshops (clustering): links with EUSDR PA8 WG on «Environmental Technologies and Energy Efficiency» (SIG) 2 brokerage events «Networking for Innovation» (BIC, Slovakia; RCISD, Hungary) 1 «triple-helix» conference (RCISD, Hungary) Based on the results achieved by T3.1 and T3.2, selection of 2 pilot activities to be launched within the project s life time (aiming at durable results beyond the project s end date) Regional Cooperation for European Integration - A Bridge between Macroregions 15
Proposals for pilot activities will be submitted by stakeholders involved in the clustering workshops, in a bottom-up process. Each pilot activity will be allocated 50.000 EUR Examples of Pilot Activities: Development of a joint research agenda targeting one specific Energy Efficiency/Renewable Energy issue Setting up a macro-regional living lab Assessment (peer review and benchmarking) of existing R&I infrastructures in the Danube macro-region Establishment of a Co-location Centre (CC) of KIC (Knowledge and Innovation Communities) INNOENERGY (currently operational CCs: Benelux, Germany, France, Iberia, Poland, Sweden) Establishment of an ERIC (European Research Infrastructure Consortium) in the field of bioenergy/bioeconomy Regional Cooperation for European Integration - A Bridge between Macroregions 16
EBTP-SABS Support for Advanced Biofuels Stakeholders Funding programme: 7th Framework Programme Funding volume: > 0,5 Mio Duration: 36 Month (09/2013 08/2016) Participation: 4 Partners from 4 Countries Project website: http://www.biofuelstp.eu/ This project has received funding from the European Union s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no 609607. Regional Cooperation for European Integration - A Bridge between Macroregions 17
The European Biofuels Technology Platform is recognized by the EC as an official European Technology Platform promoting a range of activities to support advanced biofuels stakeholders. EBTP-SABS started in September 2013 and will: provide support to activities of EBTP which are of interest to the biofuels community and the general public provide information about technological, market, political, regulatory and financial developments support the European Industrial Bioenergy Initiative and facilitate the implementation and update of the EBTP SRA inform the biofuels debate with scientifically correct, unbiased information and sustain deployment of most promising value chains for advanced biofuels Regional Cooperation for European Integration - A Bridge between Macroregions 18
Outlook In the upcoming period CEI is committed to : Sustain actors in research, innovation and the industry to streamline efforts in line with the knowledge triangle concept and the smart specialization strategy Support capacity building and advanced training targeting both researchers and technical staff that will be employed along the relevant value chains Endorse political awareness through networking and dissemination and promote access to available financial instruments CEI is in the position to bridge the gap between EU Member States and non- EU countries. The potential of CEI Countries is widely recognized, yet key players in Europe not always know how to approach them CEI will contribute to rising awareness on Bioeconomy at governmental level in its Member Countries, also to promote the Public Private Partnership on Bioeconomy set-up by the EC and industrial players Regional Cooperation for European Integration - A Bridge between Macroregions 19
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION For more information about Danube-INCO.NET please contact For more information about S2BIOM and EBTP-SABS please contact Alessandro Lombardo Executive Officer lombardo@cei.int Peter Canciani Project Manager canciani@cei.int www.cei.int Regional Cooperation for European Integration - A Bridge between Macroregions