Regions are key actors in implementing EU policies addressing forests and all value chains starting there. Technical and social innovations are needed to effectively serve the various demands society has on our forests. It’s now time to show what regions are already implementing or planning for the near future, to inspire other territories to follow good examples, and to strengthen cross-border cooperation.
The 6th edition of the Forest Innovation Workshop and mid-term Conference of the OptFor-EU project is organised by the European Regions for Innovation in Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ERIAFF), the European Forest Institute (EFI) and its Bioregions Facility, the European Confederation of Forest Owners (CEPF), the European State Forest Association (EUSTAFOR), the European Farmers and Agri-Cooperatives (COPA-COGECA), the European Landowners’ Organization (ELO) and Euromontana. The event, Inform – Prioritise – Collaborate: Building a sustainable forest future through regional cooperation and innovation is a joint endeavour with the EU projects FOREST4EU and OptFor-EU. Together, attendees will explore the latest innovations, discuss regional priorities, and foster collaboration among key stakeholders in the forest-based sector.
Draft programme
Day 1 – 11 February (9:00-17:45)
- Welcoming speeches and opening remarks
- European framework for innovation in the forest-based sector
- Coffee break
- OptFor-EU project: Presentation of preliminary results
- OptFor-EU project: Panel 1-Science point of view
- OptFor-EU project: Panel 2-Policy making challenges and opportunities
- Lunch break
- Breakout Session 1: Presentation and discussion on innovation initiatives
- Topic A: Adopting decision support tools for small-scale forestry
- Topic B: Forest restoration in a changing climate
- Topic C: Valorizing non-wood forest products for healthy consumption patterns
- Topic D: Agroforestry innovations
- Coffee break and rotation between topics
- Breakout Session 2: Presentation and discussion on innovation initiatives (participants can rotate to another room to learn about another topic, same presentations as in breakout session 1)
Day 2 – 12 February (9:00-12:45)
- Plenary Session-Reports from the breakout sessions
- EUFORE Project-A future research and innovation agenda for the forest-based sector
- Coffee break
- Regional Authorities Roundtable Discussion on priorities for innovation and a supportive framework including an introduction from the Forest4EU project
- Conclusions and next steps
For further information and the updated programme, please visit the event webpage.
The registration deadline is 31 January 2025.
- Event language is English.
- The event is free of charge.
- Data processing: In order to ensure your access to the venue, your registration data (name, institution, email address) will be passed on to the Representation of the Free State of Bavaria to the EU. Kindly note that this event may be documented by pictures and video cameras. By participating you declare to agree that these pictures and video recordings may be used and published.
- For your own safety, the Representation of the Free State of Bavaria to the EU reserves the right to admit registered guests only and to carry out checks of ID cards and bags.
Visit the 2023 edition of the Forest Innovation Workshop page
