Next Generation Biofuels and other bioproducts: Opportunities for Countries of the Central European Initiative

Sustainable energy, environment, research, innovation, industrial competitiveness, agriculture and rural development are priorities of the Central European Initiative and the European Union. Next Generation Biofuels respond to these priorities. They represent, in general, a privileged option for a long-term strategy for renewable energy and stronger self-sufficiency. At the same time, they offer a unique opportunity for regional cooperation among CEI Member States which have large agriculture-forestry sectors. Therefore, they need to strengthen and disseminate their technology know-how in this field.

This is the background for the CEI activities in this strategic field. It is based on several years of fruitful experience with energy-related projects in the framework of our CEI Science and Technology Network, our CEI Trust Fund at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and our collaboration with the Regional Cooperation Council.

The CEI Secretariat has invested one year of preparations and discussions with the stakeholders in the CEI region. It has established an inventory of hundred research groups that are already active or have competences useful for the development of Next Generation Biofuels. They are ready to contribute to an ambitious regional project in this field.

In view of these encouraging results, the CEI Secretariat has commissioned to Bloomberg a comprehensive study on the prospects and long term impact of Next Generation Biofuels.