Empowering Communities Through Participatory Biomaterials Workshops: A Path Towards Sustainable Innovation

This paper explores the transformative potential of community-based biomaterials workshops as a catalyst for sustainable innovation and social change. Grounded in the principles of co-creation, knowledge sharing, and community empowerment, the research is located at the intersection of traditional craft skills, scientific inquiry, and environmental stewardship. Our aim is to support biomaterials innovation and community livelihoods. In a series of collaborative participatory action research (PAR) workshops with local communities in Quang Nam province, Vietnam, we facilitated hands-on experimentation with biodegradable materials, namely bacterial cellulose derived from the kombucha brewing process. Guided by PAR principles, our workshops prioritized active community involvement in every research stage, from material cultivation and experimentation to design and evaluation of entrepreneurial outputs. By fostering a collaborative learning environment valuing local, tacit knowledge, experiential learning, and collective problem-solving, the workshops supported co-created solutions tailored to the socio-cultural and environmental context. Through iterative cycles of reflection and action, we co-generated insights into biomaterial applications in domains including artisanal crafts, sustainable fashion, and eco-friendly packaging. This paper underscores the transformative power of community-based biomaterials workshops for social and material innovation, knowledge democratization, and sustainable development. By bridging local wisdom with scientific expertise, empowered communities can harness biomaterials' potential to tackle societal and environmental challenges, fostering equity and resilience.<p></p>