Between September and November 2021, a regional survey was conducted among various social groups in North Karelia regarding their understanding of the bioeconomy, in order to determine how society perceives the bioeconomy, its benefits, tasks, and challenges. The aim of the survey was to achieve six results:

i) to understand how those involved in business and policy perceive the bioeconomy;
ii) to review value priorities and related communication;
iii) to identify obstacles and support conditions;
iv) to assess the "willingness to engage" in the bioeconomy;
v) to gain insight into how to improve cooperation with the government and industries;
vi) to find key points for bioeconomy development by identifying its overlaps with other areas.

We present six key points from the survey conducted in North Karelia (one from each of the aforementioned results).

Respondents generally consider the bioeconomy promising and specifically useful for solving environmental problems. They identify the contribution to the energy transition from fossil fuels to green energy and to a low-carbon economy as the most significant positive impact of the bioeconomy.

Entrepreneurs and policymakers in North Karelia believe that the greatest growth potential in the region lies in bioeconomy sectors related to nature tourism, bioenergy, and timber construction.

Limited cooperation between different stakeholders (policy, business, etc.) is considered the most significant obstacle to the development of the bioeconomy. Several support conditions were assessed as important or very important, namely investment in innovation, the availability of scientific information, public procurement programmes, and appropriate regulatory frameworks. Respondents representing both government and industry indicated that their sector, municipality, or institution is keen to develop the bioeconomy.

Governance and industry respondents held very similar views on who is responsible for various tasks in the development of the bioeconomy in North Karelia. Both groups indicated that they are equally responsible for investment in research, development, and innovation, as well as for ensuring positive environmental and social impacts. Furthermore, respondents in both groups emphasised that the government bears greater responsibility for the communication and promotion of the bioeconomy in society.

According to the respondents, the goals of the bioeconomy are closely linked to environmental policy, particularly climate change mitigation and clean energy. Other policy areas that significantly "overlap" with the bioeconomy are the conservation of biodiversity, the circular economy, and rural development. It is believed that the bioeconomy has less alignment of goals with social and economic policy areas.
https://bioregions.efi.int/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/North-Karelia-Survey-Report_v1_08062022.pdf