Inform-Prioritize-Collaborate on Forestry related Innovation

The European State Forest Association (EUSTAFOR) in cooperation with the ERIAFF Network, EFI, CEPF, COPA-COGECA, ERRIN, EUROMONTANA hosted the second edition of the workshop “Inform-Prioritize-Collaborate: Cooperation of Regions on Innovation in Forest Management, Use of Wood and Forest-Related Services.”

About 100 participants from countries all over Europe attended the workshop that took place on 29 January 2016 in the Representation of the Free State of Bavaria to the European Union in Brussels.

Based on the innovation challenges defined at the first workshop in 2014, this meeting aimed to support innovation in forest management and the use of wood and forest related services by offering a platform for the actors and stakeholders to present and exchange ideas.

EUSTAFOR’s Executive Director, Piotr Borkowski, welcomed the participants on behalf of EUSTAFOR and underlined the importance of innovation in a changing environment. European state forest management organizations support research and innovation both in silvicultural operations and new end uses for wood. This is seen as an essential investment which will allow us to both create and meet future growth in demands from society as well as industry.

Following the European Commission’s presentations of the European framework for innovation in forestry, the workshop focused on practical cases and project ideas from European Regions. Inspirational cases of Operational Groups of the European Innovation Partnerships on Agricultural Sustainability and Productivity (EIP AGRI) were presented by France, Italy, Norway and Spain. The cases showed practical ideas on tackling forest-related challenges through innovation and cross-sectoral collaboration.

During brokerage sessions participants had the opportunity to meet with many experts and regional actors to learn from other operational groups or to find partners for cooperation.

The event provided a good opportunity to bring together potential stakeholders to improve their project ideas and showed what the Regions are planning, or what they have already implemented, to inspire other territories to make use of available measures and to establish cross-border cooperation.
For more information about the workshop click here.