IACGB European Youth Champions and the European Bioeconomy Scientific Forum in Joensuu
IACGB European Youth Champions, September 2025, Author: Lorena Díaz
Bioeconomy is undergoing constant growth, and we do not miss an opportunity to get involved and share our visions with other sustainability enthusiasts! This past June, our IACGB European Youth Champions participated in the European Bioeconomy Scientific Forum 2025 (EBSF25), hosted in Joensuu, Finland. This event gave our Champions not only the opportunity to present their research on bioeconomy topics, but also to lead a workshop on “Empowering Youth in the Bioeconomy".
This workshop, held with students attending the forum, explored the current challenges of the bioeconomy and included brainstorming sessions on possible solutions. These sessions clearly demonstrated how strongly young professionals are driven to actively participate in the green transition, as well as their determination to be heard and considered in decision-making processes (the foundation of our IACGB Youth groups!). A similar workshop had previously taken place in Costa Rica, offering the chance to compare conclusions across different global regions.
Our Youth Champions also helped organize one of the plenary sessions, where Johann Liebeton participated as moderator and one of the main organizers. The session, “By Young Professionals, for All: Shaping Career Paths in the Emerging High-Tech Bioeconomy,” provided a broad perspective on career experiences from young professionals in the bioeconomy. It concluded with an engaging debate that fostered a rich exchange of ideas and advice about the diverse career paths within the field. A transition is just only when it embraces the many voices that represent our society. This marks another step in the journey of our IACGB Youth Champions, who, across the globe, aim to foster bioeconomy and climate-friendly practices while connecting with fellow young professionals to raise their voices for a sustainable future.
Author: Lorena Díaz