A Pop-Up Event to Celebrate 20 Years of EUSTAFOR: Bringing Forests to the Heart of Brussels

As part of its 20th anniversary celebrations, EUSTAFOR brought forests directly to the people of Brussels through a vibrant public pop-up event held at Place du Luxembourg. The initiative formed part of a wider programme of activities designed to connect citizens, policymakers, and stakeholders with the value of sustainable forest management across Europe.

The event successfully transformed the central EU square into a lively meeting point between forests and society. More than 200 people stopped by throughout the day, engaging with interactive materials, discovering forest-based products, and learning about the role of state forest management organisations in delivering raw material as well as climate, biodiversity, and societal benefits.

Visitors were welcomed with a special giveaway, receiving gifts that highlighted the versatility and sustainability of forest-based materials. The distribution of merchandise proved to be a major draw, sparking conversations and creating a tangible connection between citizens and the forest sector.

A key element of the pop-up’s success was the strong collaboration between EUSTAFOR members and partner organisations from across Europe. The merchandise distributed during the event was made possible thanks to the generous contributions of Sveaskog, Romsilva, Österreichische Bundesforste AG, Staatsbosbeheer, Bayerische Staatsforsten AöR, Coillte, The ministry of Agriculture of Catalonia, and Lasy Państwowe. Their involvement provided visitors with concrete examples of how sustainably managed forests translate into innovative, everyday products.

The event also served as an opportunity to strengthen visibility and public understanding of forestry in the EU policy landscape. By bringing forest products and expertise into the heart of the EU quarter, EUSTAFOR reinforced its message that forests are not only environmental assets but also essential to Europe’s economic resilience and green transition.

This pop-up event reflects EUSTAFOR’s broader anniversary ambition: to bring forests closer to people, foster dialogue, and highlight the real-world impact of sustainable forest management. As the organisation celebrates two decades of representing state forest management organisations, initiatives like this demonstrate how engagement, collaboration, and communication remain central to its mission for the future.

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