Launch of the publication “Case studies promoting bioeconomy through agricultural practices in Europe and Central Asia”

The transition to a sustainable and circular bioeconomy for food and agriculture in Europe and Central Asia is well underway, with examples emerging across the region. The FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia advances this agenda by raising awareness of bioeconomy approaches, promoting the sustainable management of agrichemicals, and reducing soil and water pollution. As part of this work, FAO has compiled a selection of success stories in the publication “Case studies promoting bioeconomy through agricultural practices in Europe and Central Asia”.

The objective of this event is to showcase practical, scalable solutions from Europe and Central Asia, highlight how circular bioeconomy approaches in agriculture can drive progress across multiple SDGs, foster innovation, and support countries in translating regional and global commitments into concrete action on the ground. 

Case studies featured during the event will highlight diverse approaches from across the region:

• Austria – Organic farm for research and demonstration
• Finland – Agroecological symbiosis for food and energy production
• Latvia – Circular farm turning agricultural by-products into valuable resources
• Serbia – Sustainable, data driven legume production farm
• Türkiye – Women’s cooperative using traditional weaving to produce textiles from local cotton
• Uzbekistan – Conservation agriculture addressing climate change

These success stories are part of a broader transition that supports sustainable development in line with the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with agri-food systems at its centre. Across the region, initiatives at all levels advocate for sustainable, circular and regenerative approaches to agriculture.

The meeting will be moderated by Dominique Burgeon, Director of FAO Liaison Office in Geneva.

Agenda

📅 28 May 2026 | 🕒 10.30-12.00 CET | 📍Online

Welcome and introduction	10.30 – 10.40
Opening remarks - setting the context for the publication
Raimund Jehle, FAO Deputy Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia
Bioeconomy case studies in agriculture	10.40 – 11.00
Part 1. Circular farm systems: closing resource loops in practice
Austria: Organic farm for research and demonstration      Alfred Grand - Organic farmer, founder of GRAND FARM
Finland: Agroecological symbiosis for food and energy production  Markus Eerola - Farm manager
Latvia: Circular farm turing agricutural by-products into valuable resources Aija Pilvere, AS Ziedi JP Council Chair
Q&A session - Moderated conversation with speakers	11.00-11.15
Part 2. Innovation and resilience: scaling bioeconomy solutions across communities and landscapes	11.15-11.35
Serbia: Sustainable, data-driven legume production farm Đura Karagić - Agronomy Lead, LoginEKO
Uzbekistan: Conservation agriculture addressing climate change Makhmud Shaumarov - FAO Project Advisor, Regional Program Coordinator for CACILM2
Türkiye: Women’s cooperative using traditional weaving to produce textiles from local cotton Çiğdem Karaca - Head of Lycia Fethiye Women's Enterprise Production
Q&A session - Moderated conversation with speakers	11.35-11.45
FAO Bioeconomy work in the region – way forward	11.45 – 11.50
Alicja Kacprzak, FAO Forestry Officer
Closing remarks	11.50
Lev Neretin, Environment Team Leader at the FAO Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment

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