Bioeconomy future: Green transition in Europe from the perspective of life-science students

As European societies transition from fossil-based to circular bioeconomies, new demands arise for skills, entrepreneurship, and inclusive pathways in the green labour market. This study investigates how life-science students – future professionals in sustainability-oriented sectors – envision bioeconomy futures across regions in nine European countries – Finland, Poland, Czechia, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Romania. Drawing on a comparative web-based survey combined with contextual policy data, the research examines students’ understanding of the bioeconomy, their motivations for engaging in sustainability-driven careers, and the barriers shaping their entrepreneurial intentions. Findings reveal substantial regional variation in familiarity with the bioeconomy concept. While many students associate it with nature-based solutions and sustainable land use, concrete awareness of entrepreneurial and career trajectories remains limited. Yet, strong interest in bioeconomy entrepreneurship persists, motivated by its potential to create environmental and social value. Persistent obstacles – such as lack of business knowledge, financial insecurity, and fear of failure – constrain engagement. By integrating student perspectives into the discourse on just and desirable futures, this paper contributes to futures thinking on green transitions, skills development, and bioeconomy entrepreneurship. It highlights how circular and forest-based bioeconomies can act as vehicles for equitable, locally grounded, and future-ready transformations.