Launch with Regional Collaboration and Circular Bioeconomy Knowledge Exchange
The VALZEO consortium has officially launched its secondment programme in Donegal, Ireland, bringing together researchers, project partners, regional stakeholders, and innovation actors for a week dedicated to knowledge exchange, scientific collaboration, and sustainable bioeconomy development.
Hosted by SITES – Sustainable Innovation Technology Services Ltd., the opening day welcomed participants to Cill Ulta and Gteic Gaoth Dobhair, where discussions focused on strengthening collaboration between research, regional innovation ecosystems, and local communities while exploring new opportunities for circular bioeconomy initiatives.
The programme opened with a welcome from the local hosts, introducing participants to the vision of Cill Ulta as a community-driven centre for regenerative horticulture and circular bioeconomy practices. Participants also gained valuable insight into the Northwest Bioeconomy Hub, an emerging regional initiative designed to connect academia, industry, policymakers, and communities through sustainable innovation and collaborative research.
A key highlight of the morning was the presentation of the VALZEO project by Prof. Roberto Boada (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona), who introduced the project’s scientific objectives and demonstrated how agro-industrial residues, particularly rice husk ash, can be transformed into innovative zeolite-based composite materials for environmental remediation and biodiesel production.
The scientific programme also featured presentations showcasing industrial applications in wastewater treatment and environmental technologies, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing environmental challenges through innovative materials and circular economy approaches.
Throughout the opening session, Dr. Leonardo Piccinetti, CEO of SITES, facilitated discussions that encouraged collaboration among partners and regional stakeholders, reinforcing the importance of knowledge exchange and international cooperation under the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Staff Exchanges programme.
The morning concluded with a guided visit to Cill Ulta, where participants explored regenerative horticulture practices, greenhouse facilities, and community-led initiatives that demonstrate how local innovation can contribute to regional sustainability and circular bioeconomy development.
The opening activities established a strong foundation for the week ahead, creating opportunities for new partnerships, collaborative research, stakeholder engagement, and future innovation pathways that will further strengthen VALZEO’s contribution to Europe’s transition towards a sustainable and circular economy.
Funding Statement
Funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Staff Exchanges programme (Grant Agreement No. 101086354). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
