The role of Science and Research is to develop comprehensive, robust and scientifically sound solutions to respond the challenges listed above and to keep our societies functional. Given the bioeconomy's holistic perspective, there is need for a strategic exchange on RDI gaps and priorities in the sense of reconciling sometimes overlapping challenges and conflicting sectoral solutions.

At the SCAR Working Group on Bioeconomy (SCAR Bioeconomy), we see our mission in contributing to a forward-looking bioeconomy transition in tight collaboration with other SCAR Working Groups, partnerships (eg. CBE JU) and networks (eg. BIOEAST). In our activities, we are aiming to provide strategic advice and orientation on specific challenges and barriers to this transformative process that require additional RDI effort.

SCAR Bioeconomy aims to focus on current RDI gaps of systemic and cross-cutting nature within the European bioeconomy. While the first mandate (2017-2019) focused on research and fact finding, the second mandate (2019-2022) had a stronger focus on policy and strategy development support. As the challenges underlying European bioeconomy in the current, 3^rd mandate (2023-2024) have further exacerbated, SCAR Bioeconomy set three focus areas that need more attention and/or require better targeting of RDI effort to make the necessary structural shifts:

1. Circular and bio-based value chains: understanding of factors and actions that make their qualitative shift towards cross-sectoral value networks
   
   
2. Ecosystem boundaries, security of supply and competing use of biomass: applying systems approach to align the growing demand for biomass with disrupted supply chains and ecological boundaries
   
   
3. Unveiling the demand-side of the bioeconomy: better understanding of consumer preferences and concerns, empowering consumers for active participation in the development of biobased solutions.  

Please check the Bioeconomy Strategic Working Group Terms of Reference for a more detailed insight to the organisation of the work and planned activities in the current 4^th mandate of SCAR Bioeconomy.

SCAR Bioeconomy activities are organised along two main lines of action with the following scope:

• Knowledge collection and liaison with other SCAR Working Groups, partnerships and networks: regular exchange of information both within the Bioeconomy Working Group, active exchange with other SCAR Working groups and collaborative organisation of thematic workshops, active participation in activities and events to promote the circular bioeconomy at European level.
  
  
• Analysis of RDI gaps& needs and development of RDI recommendations: collecting evidence, preparation of collaborative workshops (with other SCAR Working Groups) and thematic studies (assisted by SCAR Technical Support) linked to specific areas of interest, distillation of outputs into recommendations concerning forthcoming RDI effort (policy briefs, position papers) targeted in cooperation.