The overall concept of BioMob is the development of research-driven clusters for biomass-mobilisation. The project, built on the outputs of a previous Altener-funded project, has a strong business focus and its ultimate goal is to see knowledge-based enterprises grow and thrive in the biomass sectors. This will support the sustainable use of biomass and the meeting of regions' renewable energy targets. At a time of intense demand for renewable energy, real possibilities exist for the transformation of rural economies through the commercialisation of applied research in the mobilisation of biomass. The challenge is to identify appropriate synergies between rural regions, research themes and enterprise opportunity. The Biomob clusters, from DK, HU, BG and IRL, have widely varying biomass resources, levels of industrial development and research profiles. Biomob provides the opportunity for them to develop world-leading research outputs, in line with lead market principles. The work programme which will facilitate this includes specific actions for identifying the gaps between industrial demands and research capabilities, international benchmarking, regional action plans and JAP development, business plans for individual enterprises, development of regional funding proposals, the development of a replication model and an action to federate the clusters into the European Institute of Technology. Dissemination activities include 8 workshops, exchanges and mentoring activities, as well as brochures, CD-ROMs and a web site, which will remain for 2 years after project conclusion. The participants include the 13 partners, 4 regional user groups comprised of industry, research instates and development organisations, an international expert group and a European organisation for the promotion of the biomass industry.