SYMBIO General Assembly in Klagenfurt: Moving into the Final Phase
We joined partners from across Europe in Klagenfurt, Austria, for the SYMBIO project’s 24‑month General Assembly. BABEG hosted the meeting at the Lakeside Science & Technology Park, marking an important moment as SYMBIO entered its final year. Piotr Świątek, our Design Policy & International Projects Manager, represented PDR at the meeting and shared his insights from the two days.
Throughout the assembly, we reviewed what the consortium has achieved so far. Together, we mapped regional ecosystems, developed AI‑supported value chain analysis and identified circular bio‑based business models with strong potential. These discussions helped us set clear priorities for the project’s final phase.
As we move into the last year of SYMBIO, we’re shifting firmly into action. We will test and refine circular bio‑based business models in real regional contexts, explore the conditions that support or hinder their adoption and continue developing a social value assessment tool that complements economic and environmental metrics. This next stage builds directly on the groundwork we completed during the first two years.
During the second day of the assembly, we visited innovation and industrial facilities across Carinthia, one of SYMBIO’s pilot regions. The region’s forestry, agricultural and industrial strengths offered practical examples of circular bioeconomy principles already in use. These visits gave us valuable insight into local opportunities and challenges as we plan the project’s final year.
With one year to go, we’re focusing on helping regions test, adapt and scale circular bio‑based business models that deliver environmental, economic and social value. The Klagenfurt assembly gave us clear direction for the work ahead, and Piotr’s insights will help guide our contribution during this crucial final phase.
If you’d like to learn more about our broader involvement in the project, you can read our earlier article: Our involvement in the SYMBIO project.
