BioLivingLABS: Bioeconomy at the service of the sustainability of inland territories

A project to enhance knowledge and strengthen the agricultural, forestry and livestock sectors in inland Portugal

O BioLivingLABS is a national project born out of the collaboration between five research and innovation institutions - the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, the Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, the Mountains Research Collaborative Laboratory (MORE), the InnovPlantProtect Collaborative Laboratory and the Center for the Valorization and Transfer of Water Technology (AquaValor).

The project has a clear purpose: bringing science closer to companies and producers, transforming research results into practical and sustainable solutions that bring economic and environmental value to low-density territories in the regions North, Center and Alentejo.

What the project does

BioLivingLABS works through four main axes:

1. Living Labs Network - Creation of experimental demonstration spaces in Mirandela, Douro, Covilhã and Elvas, where producers, technicians and companies can learn about and test new technologies, products and sustainable agricultural practices.
2. Demonstration and Dissemination - Realization of practical actions, workshops and field days to share knowledge and show, in a real environment, the benefits of innovative solutions in the areas of crop protection, soil health, agri-food production, animal welfare and waste recovery.
3. Technology Watch and Innovation Catalog - Creating a National Innovation Catalog with products, processes and services developed for the agroforestry and livestock sector, facilitating access to technologies ready to be applied in the field.
4. Economic Valorization of Knowledge - Training for companies and producers on topics such as intellectual property, financing, licensing and commercialization of innovation, promoting new business opportunities and partnerships.

Why it's important

BioLivingLABS has emerged as a response to the challenges facing inland regions - the lack of opportunities for young people, the ageing of the productive fabric, low profitability and difficulty in accessing innovation. All these challenges have contributed greatly to the rural exodus, the low competitiveness of the business sector and the desertification observed in these regions.

Through this project, we want to turning these weaknesses into opportunities, promoting:

• Sustainability and circularity in agriculture, forestry and livestock;
• Competitiveness and valorization of endogenous resources;
• Creating skilled jobs and boosting local economies;
• Territorial cohesion and strengthening innovation networks.

What to expect

Over the next two years, BioLivingLABS will promote dozens of field and training activities, make new technological tools available and support producers and companies in the transition to a new way of living. a greener, more digital and sustainable bioeconomy.

Organizations involved

Financing