Written by: Dafni Delioglani, FOCUS STC

On 3-4 February 2026, the BBioNets consortium gathered in the historic city of Seville, Spain, for the project’s 4th Plenary Meeting. Hosted by the Spanish partners Corporación Tecnológica de Andalucía (CTA) and Tepro Consultores Agrícolas (TEPRO), the meeting served as a vital milestone with the project entering its final stretch. With BBioNets set to conclude in October 2026, the atmosphere was one of focused energy. It was a great opportunity for partners to reconnect, assess the impact of the regional Forestry and Agriculture Networks (FANs), and ensure that the project’s results leave a lasting legacy in the European bioeconomy.

The meeting kicked off with a detailed review of the regional FAN operations, highlighting the growth in participant numbers and the increasing collaboration with similar initiatives. The session then focused on the ongoing Cross-Fertilisation Meetings, the finalisation of the BBioNets educational and training materials, as well as the conduction of the last knowledge transfer activities.

The theoretical discussions were complemented by a technical visit to the Copero Environmental Complex of EMASESA. Although heavy rain required a shift in plans, the consortium received a detailed technical presentation indoors before embarking on a guided tour of the facilities by bus. This allowed the group to observe the biological treatment processes, the energy recovery of agri-food waste through cogeneration, and the thermal hydrolysis of sludge. Witnessing the final composting stages from this unique perspective provided a practical example of how organic waste is successfully reintegrated into the agricultural sector, mirroring the core BBioNets objectives.

The second day shifted focus toward the long-term impact and visibility of the BBioNets achievements. The session opened with a review of dissemination, communication and collaboration strategies, alongside a dedicated discussion on the exploitation of key results to ensure their sustainability beyond the project’s end. This was followed by an extensive dialogue on the national policy events partners are currently organised and the strategic planning for the upcoming EU policy event (more details soon!). This major milestone, co-organised with six other projects under BBioNets’ guidance, is set to take place in Brussels this May, representing a significant collaborative effort to influence the European bioeconomy landscape. The meeting concluded with updates on the BBioNets Digital Ecosystem and final management steps, reinforcing the consortium’s unified path toward the project’s conclusion.