On November 15, 2022, the European Commission (EC) made a big move by adopting the European Union’s (EU) Algae initiative. The EC shared a detailed plan to build a strong and sustainable algae industry within the EU. This initiative promotes the diversified use of algae for food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and energy production. If successful, the EU algae industry could encourage other sectors to adopt eco-friendly and innovative practices.
In February 2022 the EC created the European Algae Stakeholder forum (EU4Algae Forum), which serves as a platform where public and private algae stakeholders collectively promote and advance the EU Algae Initiative’s goals. This dynamic space serves not only as a forum for open dialogue but also aims to foster market-driven breakthroughs within the algae sector. The forum established seven working groups: Macroalgae Production, Microalgae Production, Algae for Feed, Ecosystem Services & Bioremediation, Bioactives & Biorefining, Youth & Entrepreneurship and Legal & Regulatory Framework, in order to serve as focused entities to drive advancements in their respective domains and contribute to the holistic development of the algae industry.
The Eu4Algae Forum operates as a single information hub on algae funding calls, projects, business-related information, intelligence, and best practices that is composed of:
- EurA AG: is an international innovation and funding consultancy that focuses on artificial intelligence, advanced materials, biotech, robotics photonic, health-tech, hydrogen and quantum computing.
- European Algae Biomass Association: who’s general objective is to promote mutual interchange and cooperation in the field of algae biomass production transformation and use, including biofuels uses, and all other utilisation.
- S.Pro – Sustainable Projects GmbH: who specialises in initiating facilitating and coordinating international stakeholder processes, projects, programmes, and platforms across the science-policy industry and emphasises on the maritime spatial planning, blue growth, blue bioeconomy, and ocean multi-use.
- Systemiq: is a “think-and-do” tank that sparks positive disruptions and partners with business, finance, policymakers, and civil society to make economic systems sustainable.
- Technopolis Group: is present in 10 European cities and operates as policy consultancy specialized in policy advice and analysis, evaluation and impact assessment of innovation, science and technology policies and programs at EU, national, and regional levels.
