The course explores the role of bio-based processes and technologies in the context of the Southern European Mediterranean Countries and Third Countries (African region). The shift to more sustainable energy and economic models based on bioeconomy and renewable energies is getting momentum, under the pressure of policy measures (UN SDGs, Renewable and Waste / Circular Economy Directives, EU Green Deal, FitFor55) for a rapid decarbonization of the global economy, moving towards new and circular models. Bioenergy, as part of Bioeconomy, is a key component of this change, particularly in the field of liquid and gaseous transport fuels. The Mediterranean area, as well as many Third Countries and in particular the African region, share common environmental and socio-economic problems, such as the increasing desertification trend, the degradation of agricultural land, the lack of water, and the related social impacts. In fact, economic activities are already affected by climate impacts, and scarce energy generation and distribution, while demography diverge among richest and poorer regions, and urbanisation is advancing. Food production is also affected by climate change (water-food-energy nexus), with agriculture struggling to meet the growing food/feed demand, and circularity not yet implemented. Biomass feedstocks and residual biowaste streams can offer a multitude of opportunities and solutions to face these challenges: most of these will be explored throughout the course in terms of their technical, environmental and economic characteristics. Soil health and the link to crop production, bioenergy, Carbon storage and fertilisers markets will be briefly addressed. A special focus will be given to hard-to-decarbonize sectors, as Aviation, Maritime, Heavy Duty and Steel making, and the Sustainable Biofuels for transports. After an introduction to the agroclimatic, social and soil conditions typical of the MED area and selected Third Countries (with a special focus to Africa), the course will introduce the various types of biomass feedstocks, and the basic concepts of bioenergy, biorefining, circularity and overall bioeconomy. Processes and technologies will be screened, examining the critical elements in view of their introduction in the target areas, highlighting also the challenges related to the scale-up activity in case of low level of maturity. The concept of “appropriate” solutions will be discussed, taking into account the ecological boundaries. Then, in the final part of the course, a techno-economic and environmental analysis of Bioenergy/Bioeconomy will be examined, to identify the main benefits and challenges. Among these, aspects as the link between energy availability and socioeconomic development, carbon and fertilizers markets, soil, climate, water-food energy nexus, sustainability, life-cycle assessment, and some further case studies will be examined.