BioRural D5.7 - Bio-Rural network sustainability plan

This document outlines a strategic plan for the long-term sustainability of the European Rural BioeconomyNetwork (ERBN), a key output of the Horizon Europe project BioRural. At the project's conclusion, the ERBNstands as a significant European asset, having successfully mobilised a vast community by identifying 1,212key actors, actively engaging with over 900 of them, and building a registered community of 616 members,far exceeding its initial targets. The cornerstone of this sustainability plan is the successful acquisition of a follow-on Horizon Europe project,"thERBN" (Thematic European Rural Bioeconomy Network), which commenced on January 1, 2025, and willrun until December 2027. This initiative provides the financial and operational framework for the network'scritical next phase. A core element of ERBN’s strategy is pivoting from a generic supply-driven platform to amore specific demand-driven thematic network. This new focus concentrates on addressing the "most urgentneeds on the management of biological by-products and residues" as identified by farmers and foresters, ashift designed to maximise end-user value and engagement. The plan details the strategies for the post-project continuation of the ERBN, structured around institutional,organisational, and financial aspects for the 2025-2027 period. The institutional plan is anchored by thethERBN consortium, led by Ghent University, ensuring strong synergy with the EU-Farmbook platform. Theorganisational plan focuses on community activation, its integration with national Agricultural Knowledgeand Innovation Systems (AKIS), and network expansion. The financial plan is secured by the thERBN project'snearly €3 million budget, during which a permanent, post-2027 financial model will be developed.The plan acknowledges key challenges, including the passive behaviour of current members and the risk ofplatform competition. It also showcases a pathway for the ERBN to leverage its foundational assets and forthe thERBN project to transition into an enduring and indispensable hub for the rural circular bioeconomy inEurope.