To explore Ireland’s approach to bioeconomy development and promote international knowledge exchange, a delegation of 21 representatives from various Latvian institutions visited Ireland from 13 to 15 May 2025. During the visit, participants learned about Ireland’s bioeconomy policy directions, cooperation models, and practical solutions that contribute to the sustainable use of resources, emission reduction, and rural economic development.
The delegation included representatives from the Vidzeme Planning Region, Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava,” Ministry of Agriculture of Latvia, Farmers’ Parliament, the Council of Agriculture Organisations (LOSP), Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics (AREI), JSC “Latvia’s State Forests,” Latvian Fruit Growers Association, Cleantech Latvia cluster, ZAAO Ltd. and Valmiera Municipality.
The visit was organised within the framework of the Interreg Europe project 3F GREEN MODEL and the Horizon Europe project RuralBioUp.
ALL ISLAND BIOECONOMY SUMMIT HIGHLIGHTS BIOMETHANE DEVELOPMENT
The central event of the visit was participation in the All Island Bioeconomy Summit held on 13 May in Enfield. The summit brought together policymakers, entrepreneurs, and researchers from Ireland, Northern Ireland, and other European countries to discuss the future direction of Ireland’s bioeconomy.
Discussions focused on how to transform bioeconomy potential into real economic growth and climate neutrality. A special emphasis was placed on biomethane development, challenges in commercialising pilot projects, and the role of clusters in fostering innovation.
Although innovation is taking place on a broad scale, with dozens of pilot projects underway, participants noted that the challenge often lies not in generating ideas, but in bringing them to market. The lack of mechanisms to ensure responsibility, manage risks, and implement solutions long-term was identified as a key policy gap across Europe.
In 2023, the Irish government approved the National Bioeconomy Action Plan 2023–2025, which includes 33 action lines, and in 2024 developed a National Biomethane Strategy. The strategy aims to deliver up to 5.7 TWh of locally produced biomethane by 2030. Biomethane is expected to serve multiple strategic functions in Ireland: reducing overall energy and agricultural emissions, supporting rural development, improving energy security, and diversifying energy sources. It will be used across sectors such as high-temperature heat, transport, electricity, and construction.
To support these goals, Ireland is developing a modern bioeconomy infrastructure, including biomethane production facilities, biorefinery centres, marine biotechnology innovation platforms, and biochar plants. Biochar, a material made from organic waste, is a highly effective means of long-term carbon sequestration in soils. Instead of releasing carbon into the atmosphere through decomposition or combustion, biochar allows up to 50% of the carbon to be stored in a stable form, while also improving soil structure, nutrient retention, drainage, and water availability.
Several presentations highlighted the importance of clusters in accelerating knowledge exchange, implementing joint projects, and strengthening collaboration between industry and research. Clusters serve as innovation ecosystems, bringing together companies, research institutions, and policymakers. This collaborative approach enhances sector competitiveness, supports international growth, and ensures coordinated responses to emerging challenges.
At the conclusion of the summit, participants agreed that advancing the bioeconomy requires not only technological solutions but also well-designed policy, an enabling regulatory environment, and strong cross-sectoral cooperation. Only with such an integrated approach can pilot initiatives evolve into long-term, climate-friendly economic solutions.
MUNSTER TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY – RESEARCH SUPPORT FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND BUSINESSES
As part of the study visit, the Latvian delegation visited the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), which operates seven regional campuses in central and southwestern Ireland. TUS is mandated by law to promote regional development, serving as an example of how the academic sector can actively support the implementation of climate, energy, and education policy at the regional level.
Delegates were introduced to the work of the TUS Sustainable Development Research Institute (SDRI), which manages international, national, and regional projects in cooperation with public and private sector partners. SDRI’s approach focuses on research-based capacity building. Examples included projects that support local municipalities in climate change mitigation and energy transition, such as Remarkable Climate Leaders and IN-PLAN, which emphasise integrated spatial and energy planning and provide continuous support for implementing sustainable energy and climate action plans.
Projects to develop skills in the construction sector and promote the green transition were also presented, including BUSI2030, DASBE, as well as REBOUND, FarmElder, and AgriNext – initiatives that support community-based activities in rural areas, from social farming to digital skills in construction and circular economy. TUS representatives also highlighted the university’s strategic focus on circular bioeconomy, exemplified by the CircleBio-P project. The project develops small-scale, environmentally friendly technologies for processing food industry by-products, helping transition from a linear to a circular production model. Insights were also shared about Ireland’s wool sector and the ongoing debate on sustainable value creation and classification.
BREWERY-BAKERY SYMBIOSIS AS A CIRCULAR ECONOMY INITIATIVE
The delegation was introduced to several good practices in Ireland that are planned for submission to the Interreg Europe Good Practice database. Submitted practices undergo evaluation by a panel of high-level experts and can serve as inspiration for other regions.
One such example is the SymbioBeer project, where St. Mel’s Brewery and Panelto Foods partnered to reduce food waste. By replacing up to 15% of malt with bakery surplus, the brewery maintained beer quality while cutting CO₂ emissions by 3% annually. This initiative is a practical demonstration of circular economy principles and can serve as a model for similar collaborations.
It is worth noting that other good practices from Latvia and the Vidzeme Region are also available on the Interreg Europe platform: https://www.interregeurope.eu/3f-green-model/good-practices
