Centro HUB

In BioINSouth, Portugal is represented by the Centro region, accounting for almost 32% of Portugal’s mainland. Centro comprisesthe largest forest and agricultural areas of the country and being one of the main Portuguese regions with the largest protected surface. Within the scope of the RIS3 2021-2027, three sub-domains stand out: Water and Maritime Resources, Forestry and Agri-food and Bioeconomy. The Smart Specialization Strategy for Sustainability – S4, approved in April 2021, identified as transversal priorities the sustainable use of resources and territorial cohesion. Four Innovation Platforms were defined (valuation of endogenous natural resources; development of sustainable industrial solutions; mobilisation of technologies for quality of life; promotion of territorial innovation), as well as six lines of action, including Natural Resources and Bioeconomy. The challenge of the region is to translate good results into sustainable wealth creation and employment. Several indicators show that regional innovation capacities have been strengthening and are generating business results. Portugal and the Centro region participates in the BioINSouth consortium with Portugal’s Biotechnology Industry Organisation.