The present short study, conducted by Anteja ECG d.o.o., Ljubljana, Slovenia, is focused on the current economic situation of the Danube Region. With a focus on circular bioeconomy and clusters, the study deals with the problems of SMEs and existing support schemes and mechanisms which support value chain development. It builds on the findings of the project GoDanuBio and it addresses the impact of the Ukraine war on selected value chains with a focus on bioeconomy. The analysis is designed to update the recent findings, considering all of the circular bioeconomy-related situations in the Danube Region. Attention is also given to cluster initiatives in the Danube Region in consideration of the fact that a working group within the priority area 8 (PA 8) of the EUSDR (Competitiveness of Enterprises), also deals with cluster development and increasingly with circular bioeconomy.
The study provides an overview of the situation of the existing bioeconomy value chains. It addresses the challenges and identifies the main enablers as well as limiting factors for the transition to new, more circular value chains and business models. It also highlights common problems for SMEs in the region relating to circular bioeconomy value chains.
