Training sessions to support proposal preparation at the CBE JU 2026 call networking event

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Training sessions to support proposal preparation at the CBE JU 2026 call networking event

10:00 – 11:30 - Training for participants from widening countries

To increase participation of widening countries in the CBE JU programme, this interactive training session will provide practical guidance on proposal development, including the role of coordinators, evaluation criteria and common pitfalls. Participants will also learn from testimonials of past successful applicants. The CBE JU Project Officer Luisa Mascia will lead the session in collaboration with CARE4BIO and NCP_WIDERA.NET.

Agenda:

• 10:00 – 10:10: Intro (Luisa Mascia, CBE JU, and Anna Hapek-Sikora, WIDERA.Net)
• 10:10 – 10:40: Training session: focus on IAs and Coordinators’ role (Oliver Zobell, CBE JU)
• 10:40 – 10:50: Value of becoming a BIC member (Samuele Ambrosetti, BIC)
• 10:50 – 11:10: Testimonials: Vasilis Stenos, SOLMEYEA (EL), Bor Klancnik, ACIES BIO (SI) and Maria João Fernandes, NCP (PT)
• 11:10 – 11:30: Q&A & conclusions

11:30 – 13:00 - Training for start-ups and SMEs

Organised in collaboration with the European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF), this training is designed to strengthen SMEs’ capacity to prepare a compelling business case as part of CBE JU proposals. Participants will also learn what makes a project bankable and explore the prerequisites for attracting private funding, including venture capital. Practical examples and testimonials from successful demonstration projects will illustrate how to turn ideas into viable proposals. The CBE JU Project Officer Monica Padella will be leading this session.

Agenda:

• 11:30 – 11:40: Introduction on training objective (Virginia Puzzolo, CBE JU HoP)
• 11:40 – 12:00: CBE JU: requirements on business case and model (Monica Padella, CBE JU PO)
• 12:00 – 12:20: Testimonial from successful DEMO projects (Laura Monteiro, A4F Algae for future)
• 12:20 – 12:40: ECBF: requirements for being ‘venture capital ready’ (Michael Brandkamp, General Partner ECBF)
• 12:40 – 13:00: Q&A with participants

14:30 – 16:00 - Training on flagship project proposals

To boost the submission and quality of flagship project proposals, this training will guide participants from concept to project definition. In collaboration with the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC), coordinators from ongoing and completed flagship projects will share lessons learned on consortium building, biomass sourcing, investment planning and regulatory compliance. The session will also address typical implementation challenges and approaches to mitigate them. The CBE JU Project Officer Pilar Llorente Ruiz de Azua will lead this session.

Agenda:

• 14:30 – 14:40: Welcome & introduction
• 14:40 – 15:20: Testimonials of flagship project coordinators: recommendations for a successful flagship project proposal (Speakers: Ed de Jong (Avantium), José María Pinilla (Natac) and Craig Johnston (Enough))
• 15:20 – 15:50: BIC: most frequent challenges and risks during flagship implementation (Speaker: Samuele Ambrosetti)
• 15:50 – 16:00: Q&A

By offering targeted guidance and first-hand insights, these training sessions provide participants with practical guidance, hands-on insights and expert advice to improve the quality, relevance and competitiveness of their CBE JU proposals.