The Bioeconomy Challenge is a three-year global initiative (2025–2028) that brings together governments, finance institutions, international organisations, businesses, researchers and communities to help a sustainable bioeconomy operate at scale.
It is grounded in the G20 High-Level Principles on Bioeconomy and was launched in Belém under the COP30 Action Agenda as a Plan to Accelerate Solutions.
Political traction for the bioeconomy is growing, but implementation remains a bottleneck. Common measurement and monitoring systems are still developing. Bioeconomy sectors struggle to attract capital at scale. Market and trade conditions do not consistently favour bio-based products and services. And value is not always retained or shared across the territories and communities where it is created.
The initiative is developing and testing practical approaches across metrics and indicators, finance, market development and trade, and sociobioeconomy. Their combined work will feed into a Global Bioeconomy Roadmap by 2028.
No. Countries, sectors and institutions use different definitions and approaches. The Bioeconomy Challenge does not aim to establish a single global concept. Approaches advanced through the initiative are expected to align with the G20 High-Level Principles on Bioeconomy as a shared baseline.
A Steering Committee, chaired by Brazil’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, provides strategic direction and oversees progress. A Secretariat, hosted by NatureFinance, coordinates delivery across the initiative. A Champions Group of expert leaders helps extend its reach. And four Working Groups carry out the technical work. See the full governance here.
The four areas are interdependent. The Bioeconomy Challenge advances them together, tests approaches through real-world implementation and brings the resulting evidence, frameworks and recommendations into a shared Global Bioeconomy Roadmap.
Outputs, frameworks and publications will be available through Resources & Publications. Progress and opportunities to contribute will also be shared through our newsletter.
No. The Bioeconomy Challenge is not a funding facility and does not provide grants or direct financing. Through its Finance Working Group, the initiative develops financial instruments and investment pathways to help mobilise more capital into the bioeconomy across sectors and regions.
The Bioeconomy Challenge is supported through contributions from participating organisations and funding partners, which help sustain its coordination, activities and delivery towards 2028.
There are several ways to engage. You can share relevant policies, projects, case studies, data and lessons learned; participate in public events and consultations; follow calls for input; or contact the Secretariat to explore other opportunities to engage.
The Bioeconomy Challenge continues to engage organisations that bring relevant technical or policy expertise to its work, with Working Groups seeking a balanced mix of sectors, regions and perspectives. Participation is considered according to the initiative’s evolving needs and the composition of its Working Groups and governance.
Yes. Relevant experience and evidence from across the wider bioeconomy community can help inform the work. Open consultations, calls for input and other opportunities will be shared through the website and newsletter.