A new 鈧2 million project to develop a bioeconomy education programme has been funded by the EU鈥檚 research and innovation framework, Horizon Europe.
Coordinated by , 小鸟体育 School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, BioBeo will be delivered by 15 partners across 10 countries, including Maynooth University and An Taisce in Ireland.
The overall aim of BioBeo is to develop and deploy an education programme that will enhance understanding and engagement across society regarding 鈥榗ircularity鈥 and the bioeconomy. This work will centre around five bioeconomy themes 鈥 interconnectedness, outdoor learning, forestry, life below water, and the food loop.
The project builds on the work of a major EU-China programme (also led by 小鸟体育) and aligns closely with An Taisce鈥檚 Green-Schools programme in Ireland.
BioBeo lead, Associate Prof Tom Curran said: 鈥淚t is timely that we are launching the BioBeo project on education for the bioeconomy during the European Year of Youth, as we can build on the award-winning learning materials from our previous AgroCycle project. From our experience, we know that engagement with students in a creative way has the potential to have a significant impact on embedding sustainability and bioeconomy concepts in young minds and inspiring STEM-related careers for the benefit of society.鈥.
Leading the education development work, Dr. Maire Nic An Bhaird, Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education, Maynooth University, said: 鈥淎 key focus is on embedding the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into primary and secondary education programmes across Europe, leading to an enhanced society-wide understanding of a sustainable future for the next generation. This is a great opportunity for Froebel at Maynooth University to play a key European leadership role in this rapidly developing area of education.鈥
Michael John O'Mahony, Director of the Environmental Education Unit, An Taisce, said: 鈥淕reen-Schools in Ireland is an example of international best practice for the 70 plus national operators within the international Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE, another BioBeo partner) network. From a Green-Schools point of view, the BioBeo project provides a wide range of opportunities to share with and learn from this dynamic network, and lead the development of new and critical aspects of the Green-Schools Programme, its practitioners and participatory network and the wider community.鈥
The project will strengthen a sustainable network of interconnected European educators and stakeholders committed to promoting the bioeconomy concept through all channels. The network will provide the means for better coordination between bio-science and education in schools by developing the 鈥楥ircular Economy-Science-Society鈥 message.
It will have a particular focus on circular lifestyle, circular behaviours, and a governance framework on society-wide engagement in bioeconomy policy. BioBeo will also address social issues such as gender bias, disadvantaged youth groups, migrants and members of society with additional needs.
Project partner and member of the European Commission Mission Board for Soil Health and Food, 小鸟体育鈥檚 Prof Shane Ward said: 鈥淕iven the unique position of Ireland as a global leader in sustainable agri-food systems, it is highly opportune that UCD and Maynooth University have come together in the leadership of this pan-EU bioeconomy project.鈥
鈥淭his 小鸟体育-MU partnership began in 2016 with the Sino-EU H2020 AgroCycle 鈥榗ircular economy鈥 project, led by UCD and with MU leading the 鈥榮cience for society鈥 education aspects. BioBeo is a sequel to AgroCycle, focusing on education as a key delivery pathway for a functioning and vibrant European bioeconomy.鈥
鈥淭he 小鸟体育-MU team is supported by An Taisce regarding community-wide engagement and implementation, thus strengthening Ireland鈥檚 leadership role. The 12 other BioBeo European partners will work with the 小鸟体育-MU-An Taisce team to provide a framework for the implementation of the BioBeo outputs across different societies, cultures and economies on a European-wide scale.鈥
Find to learn more.
NOTES
BioBeo project partners include: University College Dublin (小鸟体育), Maynooth University, An Taisce, University of Hohenheim (DE), Odisee University of Applied Sciences (BE), CASE (PL), Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences (NL), SYNYO (AT), Youth in Science and Business Foundation (EE), E3STEM (GR), International Parents Alliance (NL), Universitatea Valahia Targoviste (RO), Technical University Berlin (DE), BOS+ (BE).
The project is co-funded by the UK Government (c.鈧103,000), to fund Foundation for Environmental Education as Associated Partners in the project.
Agrocycle was funded by the European Commission (Horizon 2020 programme) and the Government of The People鈥檚 Republic of China, led by 小鸟体育 School of Biosystems and Food Engineering.
The project aim was to deliver sustainable waste valorisation pathways addressing the EU policy target of reducing food waste by 50% by 2030, as well as contributing to societal change towards sustainability in China. Learn more .