Young people are crucial to the continued development of the bioeconomy and we recognise they are an important stakeholder of our research.

As part of a new partnership between BiOrbic and Foróige, Ireland’s leading youth organisation, BiOrbic staff welcomed four groups of young people to the centre. Participants travelled from Mahon, Glanmire, Beara and Nenagh to learn about BiOrbic’s work and offer their own insights on Ireland’s environmental challenges.

The full day programme covered an introduction to the centre as a whole, a session on bioplastics, a session on food waste and demonstration of BiOrbic’s Bioeconomy Map and climate change-themed escape room. Each session was followed with fruitful discussions that highlighted the priorities and needs of young people and where these could be aligned to the centre’s work.

The BiOrbic’s executive director, Derek O’Brien who delivered part of the programme commented, “It was pleasure to welcome young people to the Centre and get their insights on topics related to climate and the bioeconomy. We have established a very positive partnership with Foróige that will no doubt have continual impacts on our work at BiOrbic and beyond.” Other staff involved included Manuel Bruch, James Lyng, Ajay Menon and Amanda Mathieson. The day was organised by operations staff Christine Shortt and Yvonne McQuinn.