Forest bioeconomy is a key sector at national and regional level, employing more than 6000 people through more than 500 companies in North Karelia. The functioning of the forestry cooperation network in the region and the importance of the bioeconomy can be further developed from a circular economy perspective at regional, national and international level: by developing new business opportunities, products and services, new jobs, well-being and economic growth will be created in support of the objectives of the Finnish Government Programme. In accordance with the Growth Pact between the State and the City of Joensuu (2016-2018), in order to promote the growth and internationalisation conditions of companies related to the forest bioeconomy theme, the “Green HUB” was established in 2016 as a bridge between growing bioeconomy companies and research institutes. In addition, in connection with the Growth Pact, three business ecosystems have been established under the themes of forest biomass value chains, clean decentralised energy production, and the digitalisation of the bioeconomy and the services business. Green HUB activities are based on funding from the Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE), the University of Eastern Finland (UEF), Karelia amk (Karelia) and the Joensuu Science Park, which enables a new form of interaction between research institutes through company visits (invitation to the village theme). Green Hub also includes SYKE, the European Forest Institute, Metsäkeskus, Joensuu Science Park and Joensuu development company JOSEK. Green HUB is based on business contacts and visits, during which a relationship of trust with the company is established. The business development needs identified during the meeting can be brought to the representatives of Green HUB entities for information and resolution either through Green HUB’s operations or as separate commission research. Green HUB therefore acts as a link between companies and research institutes, providing their skills and contacts for the benefit of the companies. The project to be recruited by a leading researcher would participate in Green HUB activities during their working hours, which would enable SYKE to participate more fully in Green HUB activities, strengthening the network’s environmental expertise and the ability of companies to promote their operations and competitiveness. There has been a message from bioeconomy companies that there is a need for more in-depth knowledge of (forest) bio-solutions and system-level reviews (e.g. industrial symbiosis and their environmental benefits) in support of the regulatory and licensing environment, in particular. The aim of the project is to strengthen the sustainable bioeconomy business models and product development of existing and new start-ups in North Karelia from a circular economy perspective, and to support cooperation between experts and industry in the field of forest bioeconomy at regional, national and international level. Strengthening will be done by bringing a comprehensive understanding of the principles of the circular economy and the operating models supporting it to the Green HUB competence network, especially from the point of view of SMEs. To implement the project, a fixed-term leading researcher (as a research field to promote sustainable business) will be hired to provide Green HUB with SYKE and LUKE’s environmental regulatory knowledge and systematic environmental assessment expertise through its own expertise and networks. As part of the team of experts, the lead researcher’s task is to create “solutions to challenges, not challenges to solutions”. The actions to be carried out in the project will be geared towards a needs-oriented approach, so that companies receive support to address the challenges of their business and to advance development ideas. In addition, the project will create expert services and pilot platforms for SMEs to increase productivity and competitiveness, e.g. through improved energy and resource efficiency and product and service development. New resource-wise and environmentally friendly innovations can boost the competitiveness and growth potential of enterprises at national and international level, thus contributing to employment and economic growth in the North Karelia region. At the same time, the measures support North Karelia’s goal of a fossil-free and carbon-neutral province and strengthen the forest bioeconomy knowledge network and the operational and competitive potential of SMEs active in the sector. The project also promotes the effectiveness of research in enterprise and innovation activities and aims to play a significant role in combining wide-ranging expertise between different actors in the formation and operation of the above mentioned forest bioeconomy expert community and business ecosystems.