From truffle profiling in Spain to robotic cork harvesting in Portugal, Mediterranean innovators are reshaping agroforestry. Their success was showcased in a series of EU-funded study visits held from April to June 2025 as part of the FOREST4EU project.
Organised across Portugal, Spain, Slovenia, France, and Italy, the visits highlighted how local Operational Groups (OGs), EU-supported multi-actor innovation consortia, are developing forward-looking approaches to agroforestry and forest management. These OGs are not only driving local innovation but also offering models transferable across Europe and beyond.
Stakeholders from nine countries (Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Croatia, Germany, Latvia, Slovenia, and Finland) explored these innovations first-hand and built cross-border alliances in the forestry and agroforestry sectors.
Portugal: ecosystem-centric innovations in the Montado
In April, the visit to Portugal took place with a focus on the Montado ecosystems, dominated by cork oak (Quercus suber) and holm oak (Quercus rotundifolia). During the visit, eight OGs were featured including
- EcoMontadoXXI introduced agroecological models for cork oak sustainability.
- GEOSUBER and Nutrisuber presented advanced monitoring technologies for tree health.
- RootsAndRobots explained the potential of robotics for resilient systems.
- OakRegeneration and Platisor presented innovations tackling natural oak regeneration.
These initiatives combine ecological insight, technological innovation, and stakeholder collaboration, offering scalable models for other semi-arid regions.
Spain: biocontrol, product valorisation, and cross-sectoral synergies
In May, the Spanish visit showcased OGs and projects tackling forest health, product development, and rural revitalisation including:
- OG INGECA used Trichoderma strains to control Gnomoniopsis castaneae.
- OG BioChestnut addressed Cryphonectria parasitica via hypovirulent mycoviruses.
- Bijou and Tuber Label enhanced truffle market systems through profiling, standardisation, and direct marketing.
During the visit the participants learned how collaboration between farmers, scientists, and policymakers is essential to manage biotic threats while unlocking the economic potential of non-wood forest products (NWFPs), which are particularly important in the Mediterranean region.
Slovenia: sustainable management and digital innovation
Also in May, participants explored Slovenia’s close-to-nature forestry and digital innovation. Featured OGs included:
- PRI.FOR.MAN addressed how to tackle cadastral fragmentation through a decision support system integrating spatial and economic data.
- GO SURF presented tools to integrate ecosystem service valuation into forest planning.
- Moj Gozdar offered digital solutions to support small forest owners with planning, contracting, and roundwood quality assessment.
These efforts demonstrated how governance, planning, and digitalisation can support more resilient forest management.
France: forest adaptation, decision support tools, and public engagement
The visit to France took place in June and focused on adaptive silviculture, forest management tools, and transfer, awareness, and communication. Some of the OGs featured during the visit were:
- FuturForest and Do.Na.To presented experimental plantations for climate change adaptation.
- BIOSEIFORTE and SPNA presented SlideforMAP and BioClimSol that are decision support tools for hydrological and climate risk assessment.
- EUROFORNORM led public awareness efforts through forest education via games and theatre.
These initiatives emphasised the importance of integrating technology with inclusive communication, particularly in the context of climate change.
Italy: digital transformation and systemic thinking
The final visit took place in Calabria, where the focus was on digital and ecosystem-based forest planning, working conditions, and systemic collaboration:
- PIF (France), presented in Italy, showcased mechanisation and ergonomic design for workers.
- Fortrack and GO SURF highlighted Italy’s progress in digitalisation, using remote sensing, GIS, and AI for real-time forest management.
These approaches integrated sustainability, labour safety, and digital innovation, offering transferable solutions beyond national borders.
Across all four visits, Mediterranean OGs demonstrated how field experimentation, multi-actor collaboration, and knowledge exchange are building adaptive and resilient forested landscapes. These experiences offer replicable models that merit wider uptake, supported by cross-border learning and the reduction of administrative barriers.
Learn more about the FOREST4EU project, its activities, and materials at: https://www.forest4eu.eu
