by reframe.food
All of us rely on nature for raw materials, food, energy, water and clean air. Nature and biodiversity make life possible, underpin our economies, and generate important social and health benefits. They are also our strongest ally in addressing the climate crisis [1]. At the same time, the EU needs bioeconomy to fight pollution and biodiversity loss while achieving its energy and climate targets by 2030 and becoming carbon neutral by 2050 [2].
Yet human activity is currently destroying nature faster than ever in the EU and worldwide. Urban sprawl, intensive agriculture, pollution, invasive species and climate change all put increasing pressure on ecosystems and the services they provide. To protect the planet and drive innovation and sustainable growth, the EU has developed two key policy frameworks: the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the EU Bioeconomy Strategy. Together, they aim to advance the EU’s environmental objectives and promote a circular, sustainable bioeconomy that operates within planetary boundaries and does not further damage nature.
FUTURAL contributes within this policy framework, transforming the goals of the EU Biodiversity and Bioeconomy agendas into concrete Smart Solutions for rural regions through the Pongau (Austria) and Jonava (Lithuania) Multi-Actor Pilots (MAPs).
FUTURAL smart solutions in these MAPs address rural challenges related to Circular Bioeconomy, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management. Το be more specific, the development of an online circular bioeconomy platform and the Biodiversity Score system aim to enhance practical knowledge to help local communities use their biomass and waste in smarter ways. In Pongau, the focus is on better use of local biomass, diversification of bio-based products and creating year-round economic activity beyond tourism. In Jonava, the emphasis is on managing human-wildlife interactions and protecting agricultural production while preserving rich local biodiversity.
Pongau, Austria: Current Challenges and Futura Initiatives
In Pongau, rural development is held back by limited innovation in bio-based products and high waste generation, as agriculture, wood processing and tourism still follow linear, inefficient practices. The local economy depends heavily on seasonal tourism, leaving many people underemployed and much of the infrastructure underused for most of the year. At the same time, only a small share of built-up space is utilised year-round, while many old imperial buildings remain underused and would require renovation before they can support new activities or investment.
FUTURAL tackles some of those challenges through the development of an online circular bioeconomy platform. This platform will support local authorities, businesses and citizens to understand how biomass can be used in smarter, circular ways.
The platform, currently under development following the first co-creation workshops with the Pongau MAP, will make it easier to explore local resource flows and identify alternative circular options. It will also act as a first point of contact and support hub for circular bioeconomy initiatives in the wider Pongau region.
Jonava, Lithuania: Challenges and the Bison Monitoring System
In Jonava, rural development is constrained by growing tensions between agriculture and wildlife, as native free-ranging bison regularly enter fields and damage crops, causing significant losses for farmers. In some years, hundreds of hectares of agricultural land have been affected.
FUTURAL, through the Biodiversity Score system, is developing a Smart Solution to support the monitoring and analysis of bison populations and provide information on their numbers, movement and locations. This will help farmers and local communities understand migration routes and take informed, preventive measures to protect crops while improving overall ecosystem management.
The smart solution, developed through co-creation in Jonava, will be accessible via an application where farmers and local authorities can report sightings and damage, view maps of recent bison activity, and access clear information about local biodiversity.
Jonava municipality will benefit from the accumulation of valuable data on the bison population, enhancing its ability to manage human-wildlife interactions more effectively. Lithuanian governmental authorities can also benefit from this Smart Solution, as it offers an information system that could potentially be replicated in other regions facing similar challenges.
FUTURAL supports the rural areas in becoming more resilient and sustainable by unleashing smart solutions for assuring citizens’ well-being!
References
[1] European Commission (n.d.). Nature and biodiversity. Retrieved from https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/nature-and-biodiversity_en
[2] European Commission. (n.d.) Bioeconomy Strategy. Retrieved from https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/bioeconomy-strategy_en
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