The Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI Joint Undertaking) is a €3.7 billion public-private partnership between the EU and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC).

What it does

The BBI Joint Undertaking industry-led research funding programme aims to:

• secure and protect investments
• smooth the transition to a sustainable bio-based economy
• promote the use of renewable energy from biological sources.

Structure

The BBI Programme Office is an autonomous EU body managed by a governing board. The executive director and the programme office staff manage the research and innovation programme.

Their role includes:

• coordinating the work of BBI stakeholders (including the Governing Board, the states representatives group and the scientific committee)
• managing projects and calls for proposals.

How it works

The BBI Joint Undertaking implements the Strategic Innovation and Research Agenda (SIRA).

It brings together key stakeholders from relevant industries, including business, academic institutions, regional innovation clusters and tech clusters to generate private investment.

Through the European Commission's Horizon 2020 programme, the the BBI Joint Undertaking publishes calls for project proposals in the field of biotechnology.

Who benefits

The projects funded by the programme should generate:

• an extra 400 000 skilled jobs by 2020
• up to 700 000 skilled jobs by 2030.

80% of these jobs will be in underdeveloped rural areas.