The Bioeconomy Ireland Week 2024

Biocircularity in Action Summit

Lead organisation: Teagasc

Thursday, 10 ^th  October 2024, 9am to 4pm, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, Dublin 15

Please Register  here. 

This one-day summit will bring together committed food sector companies to share knowledge, highlight the opportunities and discuss the challenges in creating new sustainable commercial opportunities within the circular bioeconomy. The event will include insights from international keynote speakers, underpinned by science and with commercial relevance.

National Bioenergy Conference

Lead organisation: Irish Bioenergy Association

Thursday, 10 ^th  October 2024, 9:30am, Royal Marine Hotel Marine Rd, Dún Laoghaire, Dublin

Please register  here .

Be at the forefront of Ireland’s bioenergy and biogas/biomethane sectors innovation and development by attending the IrBEA’s 23rd National Bioenergy Conference which takes place at the Royal Marine Hotel, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin on Thursday the 10th of October 2024.

As Europe accelerates its mobilisation of renewable energy, Ireland stands at a pivotal moment to harness the potential of bioenergy and follow the lead of our European counterparts. This conference will bring together energy producers and users, industry leaders, policymakers, researchers and innovators to explore cutting-edge developments, share best practices, and forge strategic partnerships.

The Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) is thrilled to announce that Bord na Móna and Gas Networks Ireland are co-sponsors of this year’s event. With the backing of our sponsors, this event promises to be a significant platform for advancing discussions on renewable energy, innovation, and collaboration within the bioenergy sector.

View the conference agenda  here .

Dedicated website  here 

Blue Ambition 24

Lead organisation: HatchBlue

Supported by: Bord Iascaigh Mhara

Friday, 11 ^th  October 2024, 9:30am to 14:30pm, At the Depot @ The Complex, 12 Mary's Abbey, Dublin 7

Please register  here. 

Over the past 6 years, the partnership between BIM and Hatch Blue has supported Irish entrepreneurs within the blue bioeconomy, to scale and develop their businesses. World renowned speakers will discuss the investment opportunities and development of the blue bioeconomy in recent years and share their insights on the way forward to realize Ireland’s potential in the marine space.

The event will also celebrate the selection of the winner of Ireland’s Aquatech Award. The award acknowledges a standout business with the potential to be disruptive in the Blue Bioeconomy.

This event is an opportunity for key stakeholders in Ireland’s aquaculture innovation community to network and share ideas. It also takes place in conjunction with the sixth BIM Aquatech Innovation Studio 2024 delivered by Hatch Blue.

Just Transition Journal and Book Club - Launch Meeting

Lead organisation: Munster Technological University

Friday, 11 ^th  October 2024, 1pm to 2pm, HCT Building, MTU Kerry North Campus

Please register  here. 

Join us for the inaugural meeting of the Just Transition Journal and Book Club! Just Transition is a concept that connects social justice, ecological conservation and decarbonisation of economies. This journal and book club seeks to critically and collaboratively explore key literature in this field, including both foundational and novel articles and books, and examine their relevance for sustainable development from the lenses of our experience and practices, knowledge and hopes.

Towards 2030: Developing a Circular Bioeconomy Governance Model for our Communities, Cities and Regions

Lead organisation: Southern Regional Assembly

Supported by: Munster Technological University

Tuesday, 15 ^th  October 2024, 9:30am to 2pm, Assembly House, O'Connell Street, Waterford

If would like to join us on the day, please register  here .

The Southern Regional Assembly and Munster Technological University aim to host a Beta Testing Validation Workshop with regional and local authorities and bioeconomy stakeholders to further the  ROBIN project  objectives. The event will build upon the outcomes of previous alpha validation testing workshops of specific governance tools developed by the Project, and will cater to a broader spectrum of stakeholders from across the country. The format will consist of presentations and break out workshops.

Our speakers:

Liz Gavin, NuaFund - Funding assistance and opportunities for bioeconomy research and innovation projects and ideas. 

Joanna O’Riordan, IPA - Presentation on findings of an EPA-funded research project reviewing circular economy and bioeconomy governance in Ireland. The research findings were informed by case studies of comparable, European countries.  

Ajay Sutrakar - Biomethane for Carbon and Community Project/Biomethane Development Office 

Empowering Ireland's Farmers and Foresters: A Focus on Biobased Solutions through BBioNets

Lead organisation: Munster Technological University

Supported by: Teagasc

Tuesday, 15 ^th  October 2024, 10am, Online, please register  here. 

BBioNets would like to present its first open webinar to all Irish audiences, highlighting its work with farmers and foresters, but also with Irish policy makers, other projects, research and processors. A panel discussion will be held with representatives from Irish EIP-AGRI Operational Groups, national and international projects. The discussion will focus on exploring bio-based solutions and opportunities within the bio-economy, specifically tailored for farmers and foresters in Ireland.

Rural Ideas Fora - Bioeconomy

Lead organisation: Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD)

Supported by: DAFM, DECC & BIW Group

Tuesday 15 ^th  October 2024, 11am to 1:30pm, Radisson Blu Hotel, Northgate St, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, please register  here .

The Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) is continuing its series of stakeholder engagement events to discuss a number of important topics featured in ‘Our Rural Future – Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025’.

The theme of this event is: Demonstrating Biobased Solutions for Rural Communities

Ireland’s first National Bioeconomy Action Plan was published in 2023. It has a strong focus on bringing sustainable scientific practices, technologies, and biobased innovation into use in Ireland, containing 33 actions across seven pillars.

The Plan aims to further develop Ireland’s bioeconomy, in social, economic and policy terms, in the period 2023 to 2025, particularly increasing awareness and understanding of the bioeconomy more broadly.

It will ensure support for the goal of moving biobased innovation and solutions from research to sustainable and circular industrial production with accelerated pace, and will support greater investment in demonstrating the bioeconomy, providing exemplars, and ensuring support for interactions and progress among multiple actors, including in local communities, businesses, primary producers, scientific communities, policymakers, social movements, and interest groups.

This forum is scheduled to coincide with Bioeconomy Ireland Week, an annual event held to highlight and raise awareness of Ireland’s rapidly growing bioeconomy, with awareness raising initiatives involving industry, local communities, producers, researchers and students throughout Ireland.

The event will provide an opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities that impact on rural communities and economies. Attendees will learn more about ongoing work relating to key objectives contained in the Bioeconomy Action Plan, and engage with a panel of expert stakeholders.

Decarbonising Opportunities: The Role of Bioeconomy

Lead organisation: Climate-KIC

Supported by: CAROs

Wednesday, 16 ^th  October 2024, 9:30am to 4pm, National Bioeconomy Campus Lisheen Anner Hotel. Dublin Road, Thurles Townparks, Thurles, Tipperary, Ireland

Learn more about the role of bioeconomy in decarbonising the Irish regions. The workshop is as part of a series of “mentoring workshops” organised by the CAROs and will provide

• An overview of bioeconomy in Ireland and the existing action plan • An overview of biomass available by region • Introduction to mapping biomass flows and opportunities for decarbonisation • Connection between the decarbonisation opportunities and the three strategic pathways of emission reductions, substitution and regeneration • Develop an understanding of the potential opportunities the bioeconomy has in the attainment of their climate targets

Demonstrating Bio-based Solutions for a Greener Ireland

Lead organisation: Munster Technological University

Supported by: University of Galway, Teagasc, Central Statistics Office

Wednesday, 16 ^th  October 2024, 10am to 11am, Online

The event will showcase InformBio's tools, including the Bioresource Modelling tool, the Bio-Based Value Chain case studies identified for Ireland and footprint information on these. It will also provide training and education for key audiences on the tools. This event would like to help to bridge the gap between research and funding for SMEs and other innovations.

Bridging the Funding Gap: Scaling Innovations in Circular Bioeconomy

Lead organisation: Teagasc

Supported by: Irish Bioeconomy Foundation, BiOrbic

Wednesday, 16 ^th  October 2024, 10am to 12pm, Guinness Enterprise Centre, Suite 24, Taylor's Ln, The Liberties, Dublin 8

During this session, we will engage with representatives from companies, key experts and investors to explore available funding instruments as well as the challenges and gaps for scaling innovation. Discussions will focus on how to achieve better alignment between companies and investors. Three bio-economy relevant companies will share their experiences in securing finance and discuss what enabled them to secure scaling funding and where they faced challenges. Additionally, investors active in the field will provide insights into their funding instruments, and what they look for in companies. This event will be followed subsequently by live online pitching sessions for bio-businesses to enhance successful matches and exposure (organised by IBF).

We Built This City on Rock and Coal - Sligo

Lead organisation: Breakdown Productions, BiOrbic

Wednesday, 16 ^th  October 2024, 2pm, 45 High St, Magheraboy, Sligo Town, Co. Sligo

Please register  here. 

We Built This City on Rock and Coal brings scientists and theatre-makers to the rural west of Ireland for a co-created comedy show driven by hopepunk, climate research, music, and what matters most to the local community. It’s a show that’s fun for you, and good for the planet! We believe that every individual and their community can be part of a solution to climate change.

The show holds space for audience members to speak up and/or be interviewed. These source materials are used by international improvisation experts to inspire scenes, songs and sketches that are unique to each show and community.

The performance will start at 2pm – after the performance and a quick break, we will then host a fun and informal workshop where you can chat about the challenges to living more sustainably in your area and learn what you can do both as an individual and with your community to have a positive impact on the environment. We will share some simple eco changes you can make in your daily life such as reducing plastic, how to be more sustainable with your clothes and the benefits of climate friendly food choices. You will come away more informed and empowered on how to take action on climate by living more sustainably.

We Built This City on Rock and Coal is a recipient of the Creative Climate Action fund, an initiative from the Creative Ireland Programme. This event is supported by  BiOrbic , Ireland’s bioeconomy research centre.

More information about these shows is available at  http://webuiltthiscity.ie/ 

Sustainable Food Systems & Circular Bioeconomy Policy Workshop

Lead organisation: Munster Technological University

Supported by: University College Dublin

Thursday, 17 ^th  October 2024, 9:45am, University College Dublin.

To register, please contact tracey.oconnor@mtu.ie

This workshop brings together diverse policymakers and public service policy implementers whose work intersects with developing sustainable food systems and a circular bio-based economy in Ireland. The workshop will elaborate the results of ongoing research projects concerning food systems and circular bioeconomy policy and public services, and aims to better understand.

Farmer Involvement in the Bioeconomy – What’s Happening in Ireland and Europe

Lead organisation: ICOS

Thursday, October 17 ^th  2024, 10am to 12:30pm, Online

Please register  here .

This online event hosted by The Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) will focus on developments in the bioeconomy which offer potential opportunities for farmers here in Ireland. The event will run from 10am to 12.15 pm on Thursday, October 17th and will be moderated by Damien O’Reilly, European Affairs and Communications Manager, ICOS. The mornings proceedings will explore possible solutions to the challenges that face farming from emission reduction targets to nutrient management and storage and water quality. These diversification opportunities may present a pathway to a more resilient future and should also deliver economic benefit. The speakers and agenda should be of interest to farmers, advisors, co-operatives and agribusinesses as well as those concerned with the environmental and economic sustainability of our agri-food system. Topics will include the latest policy developments, the immediate opportunities that processed manures present, the potential of anaerobic digestion at scale (Danish example), cooperative bioeconomy developments in France, an update on recent announcements Farm Zero C and ICOS Skillnet activities.

We Built This City on Rock and Coal - Inisheer

Lead organisation: Breakdown Productions, BiOrbic

Thursday, 17 ^th  October 2024, 2pm, Aras Eanna Arts Centre An Tuar, County Galway

Please register  here. 

We Built This City on Rock and Coal brings scientists and theatre-makers to the rural west of Ireland for a co-created comedy show driven by hopepunk, climate research, music, and what matters most to the local community. It’s a show that’s fun for you, and good for the planet! We believe that every individual and their community can be part of a solution to climate change.

The show holds space for audience members to speak up and/or be interviewed. These source materials are used by international improvisation experts to inspire scenes, songs and sketches that are unique to each show and community.

Doors open at 7:45 for an 8pm start – after the performance and a quick break, we will then host a fun and informal workshop where you can chat about the challenges to living more sustainably in your area and learn what you can do both as an individual and with your community to have a positive impact on the environment. We will share some simple eco changes you can make in your daily life such as reducing plastic, how to be more sustainable with your clothes and the benefits of climate friendly food choices. You will come away more informed and empowered on how to take action on climate by living more sustainably.

We Built This City on Rock and Coal is a recipient of the Creative Climate Action fund, an initiative from the Creative Ireland Programme. This event is supported by  BiOrbic , Ireland’s bioeconomy research centre.

More information about these shows is available at  http://webuiltthiscity.ie/ 

Smart Farming and Bioeconomy: Shaping Tomorrow’s Agriculture

Lead organisation: Munster Technological University

Supported by: ReNu2Cycle, SIMONE

Friday 18 ^th  October 2024, time TBC, Clonakilty Agricultural College Darrary, Clonakilty, Cork

This workshop will focus on approaches to foster active stakeholder involvement and cover topics such as Living Labs and Futures Triangle Workshop.

Proteins to Packaging – The Potential of the Irish Bioeconomy

Lead organisation: TU Dublin

Friday, 18 ^th  October 2024, 10am,  Central Quad labs, Grangegorman Campus, Dublin

For any queries contact school.fseh@tudublin.ie or  gemma.kinsella@tudublin.ie

The TU Dublin School of Food Science and Environmental Health will host an activity-based event in the Central Quad labs (Grangegorman campus) lab on Friday 18th of October. There will be a variety of agri-food related applications of bioeconomy including demonstrations and hand on activities. For example, activities in our bioeconomy suite will use microalgae; in the Food Innovation Lab will focus on food waste valorisation/nutraceuticals/product development and one of the research groups will look at bioplastics films from agricultural waste.

This free event is open to staff, students and members of the general public of all ages.

Brewers’ Spent Grain: Unlocking the Potential for Ireland’s Bioeconomy

Lead organisation: DCU

Friday, 18 ^th  October 2024, 11am to 12pm, Online

Please register  here. 

Welcome to our exciting online event hosted by DCU, “Brewers’ Spent Grain: Unlocking the Potential for Ireland’s Bioeconomy”. We will gather a diverse group of professionals from the brewing industry, academia, and sustainability sectors to explore the innovative uses of spent grain—one of the most abundant byproducts of beer production. As we delve into the challenges and opportunities presented by this resource, we will discuss its potential applications in various fields, including bioplastics and food industry.

Join us as we foster collaboration, share insights, and inspire solutions that contribute to a sustainable future for Ireland’s bioeconomy.

Thesis in Trees

Lead organisation: NextGenWood

Supported by: BiOrbic, The National Botanic Gardens

Friday, 18 ^th  October, 2pm to 5pm, The National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin

Please register  here 

Come to the National Botanic Gardens and learn about all the new technologies scientists are developing from wood!

As part of Bioeconomy Ireland Week, PhD researchers from the innovative ‘ NxtGenWood ‘ Project will come together to engage the public in the latest wood and tree related research. Eight researchers, stationed around the gardens, will present their innovative research in three minutes with the help of engaging physical props. This unique event will allow you to interact directly with researchers and chat about their work in an informal and scenic setting. A child-friendly map and treasure hunt will be provided to keep the kids engaged!

How Nature Powers the Rediscovery Centre - Food, Energy and Us

Lead organisation: The Rediscovery Centre

Saturday, 19 ^th  October 2024, 11.30am and 2.00pm, Rediscovery Centre, The Boiler House, Ballymun Rd., Ballymun, Dublin

Please register  here .

A circular bioeconomy puts people and nature at the heart of our economy. Please join the Rediscovery Centre on Saturday October 19th from 12pm to 1pm to learn about how nature and renewable energy can help us live lighter and put less pressure on our precious Earth.

We Built This City on Rock and Coal – Clare Island

Lead organisation: Breakdown Productions, BiOrbic

Saturday, 19 ^th  October 2024, 2pm, Clare Island Community Centre, Clare Island, Capnagower, Co. Mayo

Please register  here. 

We Built This City on Rock and Coal brings scientists and theatre-makers to the rural west of Ireland for a co-created comedy show driven by hopepunk, climate research, music, and what matters most to the local community. It’s a show that’s fun for you, and good for the planet! We believe that every individual and their community can be part of a solution to climate change.

The show holds space for audience members to speak up and/or be interviewed. These source materials are used by international improvisation experts to inspire scenes, songs and sketches that are unique to each show and community.

The performance will start at 2pm – after the performance and a quick break, we will then host a fun and informal workshop where you can chat about the challenges to living more sustainably in your area and learn what you can do both as an individual and with your community to have a positive impact on the environment. We will share some simple eco changes you can make in your daily life such as reducing plastic, how to be more sustainable with your clothes and the benefits of climate friendly food choices. You will come away more informed and empowered on how to take action on climate by living more sustainably.

We Built This City on Rock and Coal is a recipient of the Creative Climate Action fund, an initiative from the Creative Ireland Programme. This event is supported by  BiOrbic , Ireland’s bioeconomy research centre.

More information about these shows is available at  http://webuiltthiscity.ie/ 

Youth in Bioeconomy: Innovating for a Sustainable Future

Lead organisation: Youth Champions (IACGB)

Supported by: BiOrbic

Monday 21 ^st  October 2024, Time TBC, Online

The event will feature three perspectives: first, a young researcher from the Talent for Bioeconomy Group, who will discuss challenges and opportunities in bioeconomy research, the impact of academic collaborations, and future directions for young researchers. Second, winners from the UCD BIC-E Competition, such as Fangting Bai, will share their experiences in winning the competition and developing innovative projects in anaerobic digestion and microalgae processes, highlighting the competition's role in fostering youth innovation. Lastly, Marion Cantillon, an entrepreneur, will discuss real-world experiences in starting and growing a bio-based business.

Aquaculture Remote Classroom

Lead organisation: Bord Iascaigh Mhara

Supported by: Údarás na Gaeltachta, Marine Institute

14 ^th  to 18 ^th  October 2024, Holy Cross National School, Ballycarnane, Tramore, Co. Waterford

The Aquaculture Remote Classroom visits with schools around the country to raise awareness about aquaculture among primary school students. Bioeconomy will be incorporated into the module on sustainability that the ARC team deliver to the students.

Bioeconomy at your local library

Lead organisation: Marine Institute

14 ^th  to 18 ^th  October 2024

Libraries around Ireland are promoting the bioeconomy with book displays, talks, videos displayed on screens, and talks. Bioeconomy bookmarks available in participating counties.