Policy Paper | Skills and knowledge transfer to boost the bioeconomy

The bioeconomy transition will require a broad set of competencies; not only technical expertise in engineering, green chemistry, and bioprocessing, but also data and value chain analysis, business and marketing strategies, systems thinking, entrepreneurship, and regulatory expertise. A multidisciplinary approach to skills development can bridge knowledge gaps, enhance workforce adaptability, and enable achievement of the priorities set out in the EU Bioeconomy Strategy and national bioeconomy roadmaps. However, developing and transferring knowledge effectively remains a challenge. Successful knowledge transfer requires structured collaboration, where the ‘sender’ and ‘receiver’ not only exchange knowledge but also ensure its practical application, absorption, and replication. Beyond technical expertise, knowledge transfer must also consider socio-economic and political dimensions, the structure of education systems, public engagement, and the governance frameworks necessary for a sustainable bioeconomy transition. This policy paper provides good practices, guidance and policy recommendations that support knowledge transfer and skills development in the bioeconomy, based on the CEE2ACT project outcomes.