
Andalusian Technological Corporation (CTA) leads Andalusian Bioeconomy platform of the European SCALE-UP project, focused on promoting the sustainable rural development of olive grove sector in Andalusia. In this sense, last April it launched a Call for Expressions of Interest in order to support innovative initiatives related to Andalusian olive bioeconomy and whose proposals are focused on social, ecological and economic benefits that use of olive biomass can bring to local communities.

After deadline of Call for Expressions of Interest at the end of May, CTA proceeded to evaluate many proposals and to select members. Among new members attached to Andalusian Bioeconomy Platform are University Institute of Research on Olive and Olive Oils (INUO) from University of Jaén, European Soil O-live project “Soil biodiversity and functionality of Mediterranean olive groves: a holistic analysis of the influence of soil management on the quality and safety of olive oil” and two entities selected for Innovation Support Programme: BIOLIZA (spin-off from University of Jaén) under its proposal “Design and development of a business model for obtaining biochar” and Andaltec R+D+i Foundation (Andaltec) with the proposal “Biorefinery COMP0LIVE” created as an extension to work carried out within the European LIFE Comp0live project of UJA.
SCALE-UP PROJECT

SCALE-UP project, funded with €2.9 million under European Horizon Programme, aims to identify and expand innovative and sustainable bioeconomy-based value chains in six European regions. It aims to facilitate knowledge exchange and enhance capacity for sustainable rural development by supporting regional actors (farmers, businesses, associations, entrepreneurs, researchers and public administration) with identification and development of innovative business models based on bioeconomy.
More specifically, this project aims to: (i) increase the skills of multiple actors to foster the development of products and services that enhance presence of bio-based solutions on the market; (ii) enhance nutrient recycling among participating regions; (iii) put into practice the results obtained in scientific research; (iv) raise awareness among population and businesses of the benefits and impact of bioeconomy in rural environments; (v) strengthen relations between primary producers, SMEs, clusters, social partners and political representatives; (vi) promote regional, rural, local/urban and consumer-specific transitions towards circular economy based on a sustainable, regenerative, inclusive and fair bioeconomy in all European regions.
This project is coordinated by Institute of Ecology (ECO) in Germany and involves eight European entities: Renewable Energies (WIP-Germany), Association of Chambers of Agriculture from Atlantic Arc (AC3A-France), Technological Corporation of Andalusia (CTA-Spain), International Centre for Sustainable Development of Energy Systems, Water and Environment Systems (SDEWES-Northern Macedonia), UNIMOS Foundation (UNIMOS-Poland), Food Cluster ‘Upper Austria’ (TMG-Austria), Biomass Technology Group (BTG-Netherlands) and Biofuel Region (BFR-Sweden). Six European study regions include Andalusia (Southern Spain), Northern Sweden, Mazovia (Poland), Atlantic Arc (France), Upper (Austria) and Strumica (Northern Macedonia).