Currently, rural areas cover approximately 80% of the European Union's territory and 30% of its population (137 million people). They play a key role in improving sustainable bio-based value chains by promoting sustainable food and raw materials, renewable energies, reduced fossil fuel dependence, and biodiversity preservation.

The BRILIAN project is designed to support the adoption of sustainable and cooperative business models in rural areas, enabling a smoother transition to bio-based economies. It plays a fundamental role in revitalising these regions and promoting sustainable economic and social development by transforming primary producers into active players in the supply chain, aligned with the goals outlined in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the Green Deal and the European Bioeconomy Strategy.

With the aim of expanding the business model of agroindustries and harnessing their full potential, the project will validate ten bio-based value chains starting from cardoon, safflower and sunflower (in Italy), potato (in Spain) and rapeseed (in Denmark) as raw materials and develop sustainable business models encompassing a wide range of high-value-added bio-products, such as bioplastics, biolubricants, proteins, bioadhesives, bioherbicides and products for animal feed or the cosmetics sector. This will enable primary producers to diversify their income while reducing risk.

The project is supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members under grant agreement Nº 101112436.