Final workshop on The Eustafor Strategy for 2026 +

The second two-day workshop for delivering the new Eustafor strategy was held in Brussels on the 11th–12th of December. Roland Kautz, the Chairman of the EUSTAFOR Strategy Working Group, guided the participants in an experienced and effective way through the days towards the set goals of the workshop.

Before the workshop a small survey was sent to the members to make sure that everybody had an opportunity to contribute to the strategy’s content. The questions asked were: Which topics do you consider as most relevant and why, What mutual benefit(s) do you need/expect from the relationship between your SFMO and EUSTAFOR and Which working and interaction format(s) would you prefer to create and increase value for the topics listed above.

The participants had the privilege to hear external speakers which worked as an impulse for the right future-oriented mindset. Dr. Helga Puelzl from EFI gave presentation “The bigger picture: European forest governance” and Prof. Dr. Daniela Kleinschmit (IUFRO): “Future International Forest Governance” followed by Mr. Jérémie Crespin (European Commission, DG AGRI): “Forest Management and Overview of current EU Forest Policies” and Mr. Johan Norman (Forest Europe): “FOREST EUROPE – Latest developments.” Hearing about global megatrends and current EU policies help to understand which directions should be taken in the new strategy.

Because of the limited number of resources in this complex world prioritizing and focusing on the right things for EUSTAFOR is crucial. That is why a lot of time was used in going through the Strategic Policy Areas of EUSTAFOR for 2026+ The conversations were active, productive and constructive. The problems to tackle are not easy, but there was strong determination to build a strategy that would also be implemented during the years to come.

Next steps will be made after Christmas holidays by analysing the results and presentations of the workshop. After that the proposal for the new strategy is being prepared in smaller groups and finally presented at the ExCom in February. The final approval is expected in the General Assembly during the spring.

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