In January 2026, the Republic of Karelia and the Kurchatov Institute signed an agreement on comprehensive cooperation in implementing the Bioeconomy National Project. Within this project, work has begun in Russia to create new technologies for northern territories, including biotechnologies using renewable biological raw materials – wood, agricultural crops, and industrial wastes.
Under this agreement, the Kurchatov Institute will cooperate with various enterprises and organizations in the Republic of Karelia, including the Karelian Research Centre RAS.
Speaking at the meeting, Olga Bakhmet outlined the plans for scientific collaboration between the KarRC RAS and the Kurchatov Institute.
-- At present, we are ready to propose joint activities for our research teams and focus on tweaking biotechnologies, including agricultural technologies. This implies the use of industrial wastes in crop production and agricultural advancements in general. We already have a significant background of working with wastes from the pulp and paper industry, trout farms, and municipal wastewater treatment facilities, – said Olga Bakhmet in her presentation
Karelian Research Centre’s leader explained that the principal objective of the collaboration with the Kurchatov Institute is the application of these technologies within the project for establishing bio-ecovillages, which is being implemented on the instruction of the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin. After testing at experimental sites, these technologies are expected to be used in self-sustained remote settlements, including those in the Russian Arctic zone.
The meeting participants acknowledged that Karelia is ready to offer a number of regional technologies. In addition, Karelia, together with the Kurchatov Institute, will participate in developing the national strategy for promoting bioeconomy.
The Head of Karelia, Artur Parfenchikov, emphasized that the region has a solid foundation for joint work in a strategically important direction – the development of bioeconomy. Karelia is rich in natural resources, including abundant biological resources.
-- Thanks to our two R&D flagships – the Karelian Research Centre and Petrozavodsk State University – the region has all the premises for advancing the cooperation, – said the Head of the Republic.
Yulia Dyakova, Director of the Kurchatov Institute
The Director of the Kurchatov Institute, Yulia Dyakova, noted that cooperation with Karelia is very promising and expressed the Institute's willingness to support comprehensive research for the benefit of the republic. She named the White Sea region as one of the most potentially successful and balanced areas for creating bio-ecovillages.
During the working meeting, the Government of Karelia signed a plan for implementing joint activities and projects with the Kurchatov Institute, which envisages also continuing cooperation between the KarRC RAS and the Kurchatov Institute.
