The European Network for Rural Development
The European Network for Rural Development (ENRD) serves as a hub for exchange of information on how Rural Development policy, programmes, projects and other initiatives are working in practice and how they can be improved to achieve more. Its work aims to engage and reach anyone with an interest in and commitment to rural development in Europe, from national authorities to local level actors. The ENRD animates since July 2018 an open Thematic Group on rural bioeconomy, identifying ways of promoting rural bioeconomy that delivers for people, environment and the climate. It has published recommendations on the use of Rural Development Programmes to support sustainable bioeconomy value chains.
Bio-based Industries Consortium
BIC is a non-profit organisation set up in Brussels in 2013. BIC represents the private sector in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the European Commission, also known as the Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU). This public-private partnership aims to invest € 3.7 billion in bio-based innovation between 2014 and 2020. The BBI JU, operating under Horizon 2020, was set up as one of the pillars of the EU Bioeconomy strategy (2012). The BBI JU is dedicated to transforming renewable, natural resources into bio-based products through a programme of research and innovation (R&I) activities. BIC members cover the entire bio-based value chain and consist of large industries, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), regional clusters, European trade associations, and European Technology Platforms. Any interested stakeholders along the bio-based value chain may apply for Full or Associate membership.
Climate Alliance
Climate Alliance was founded in 1990 when a group of 33 institutions comprised of 12 municipalities from Germany, Austria and Switzerland as well as 6 indigenous organisations of the Amazon Basin met in Frankfurt, Germany, motivated take action against the climatic changes taking place. Our network has strong roots in the German speaking world, but its principles have drawn interest from municipalities across Europe from the very beginning. The Alliance now boasts representatives from almost all EU countries and has seen the opening of National Coordination offices to help support members in a total of six countries. Through the Climate Alliance, some 1,800 member municipalities and districts covering 27 European countries as well as a variety of regional governments, NGOs and other organisations are actively working to combat climate change. In terms of members, Climate Alliance is the largest European city network dedicated to climate action. Their members, ranging from small rural towns to cities with populations in the millions, accept climate change as a global challenge that requires local solutions.
