FoRISK Strengthens Europe’s Response to Growing Forest Risks

As climate change and its impacts continue to intensify pressures on Europe’s forests, the Forest Risk Facility (FoRISK) is becoming an important platform for cooperation, preparedness, and knowledge exchange across the forest sector. Established under the FOREST EUROPE process and hosted by the European Forest Institute in Bonn, Germany, FoRISK supports countries and stakeholders in addressing the increasing impacts of wildfires, storms, pests, and diseases on Europe’s forests.

FoRISK’s strategic and operational work programme has just been published and sets out an ambitious agenda focused on improving forest resilience and strengthening coordinated responses to forest disturbances across Europe. The programme brings together policymakers, researchers, forest managers, and practitioners to share expertise, identify best practices, and support rapid-response cooperation during major disturbance events. Key priority areas include wildfire management, windstorm preparedness, and biotic threats such as bark beetle outbreaks and emerging forest diseases.

In addition to developing governance structures and expert working groups, FoRISK aims to facilitate practical collaboration and science-based policy support. Recent activities have included rapid-response initiatives following major storm events, as well as the establishment of networks designed to improve information sharing and long-term risk preparedness across countries.

With forest disturbances becoming more frequent and severe, FoRISK represents a valuable initiative for the European forestry community. EUSTAFOR is closely engaged with this facility and encourages members to follow the development of the facility and its work programme closely, as many of the challenges addressed by FoRISK directly affect Europe’s public forest managers and owners. The initiative offers an important opportunity to strengthen cooperation, exchange operational experience, and contribute to building more resilient forests across Europe.

More information on the FoRISK strategic and operational work programme is available here: FoRISK Strategic and Operational Work Programme