Towards a sustainable bioeconomy in Türkiye: challenges, opportunities and pathways for EU collaboration

OpenAlex · English

Türkiye’s rich biodiversity, extensive agricultural sector and strategic geographic location provide a solid foundation for developing a sustainable bioeconomy. The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of the bioeconomy in Türkiye, and thereby, emphasizing its potential for intensifying EU-Türkiye cooperation. We use a descriptive mixed-method approach. This multi-stage process includes a literature review, information collection on the development of a national bioeconomy strategy, expert feedback through online meetings and in-depth interviews. Our findings show that aspects of the transition to a bioeconomy can already be found in policy, research, academia and entrepreneurial activities. At the same time, the bioeconomy landscape in Türkiye is quite fragmented, so individual initiatives in the Turkish bioeconomy need to be consolidated, which requires collaboration among stakeholders. The creation of a roadmap and a national strategy is essential for Türkiye's progress in the bioeconomy. This opens a window of opportunity for collaboration between Türkiye and the EU. The EU’s extensive experience in bioeconomy policy development, research and innovation can provide valuable insights and support for Türkiye’s initiatives.