As Europe intensifies its efforts to tackle climate change, restore biodiversity and strengthen rural economies, forests and agroforestry systems are becoming central pillars of the green transition. A new series of policy briefs from the Horizon Europe project FOREST4EU offers a consolidated view of where innovation is already making a difference, and what still holds the sector back. The Transversal Policy Brief on interactive innovation shows that Europe has no shortage of promising ideas, but policy frameworks and funding instruments often fail to match their potential.
A fragmented landscape in need of smarter support
Forests and agroforestry systems cover nearly half of the EU’s territory, yet represent only a small share of EIP Agri Operational Groups. FOREST4EU identifies administrative complexity, fragmented governance and short project cycles as major obstacles for prospective applicants. According to the cross-cutting policy brief, longer project durations, simplified procedures and stronger advisory support are essential to create continuity and allow knowledge to take root.
Mobilising wood and managing for multiple benefits
The Wood Mobilisation Policy Brief highlights that dormant forest resources remain underused due to fragmented ownership, limited infrastructure and low profitability. Operational Groups have already developed digital tools, cooperative models and targeted advisory services, but supportive policy is needed to scale these solutions. The Sustainable Forest Management and Ecosystem Services Policy Brief broadens the view beyond timber. It emphasises that forests deliver carbon storage, biodiversity, water regulation and cultural benefits, yet only carbon currently has a formal market. Digital monitoring tools and adaptive silviculture can support diversified ecosystem service markets, but coherence between energy, biodiversity and forest policies is crucial.
Climate adaptation, NWFPs and agroforestry
Climate change is now the strongest driver of innovation in European forestry. The Climate Adaptation Policy Brief describes adaptive silvicultural practices, remote sensing and decision support tools emerging from Operational Groups. To scale them, long-term research, harmonised protocols and user-friendly digital platforms are required.
Non-wood forest products (NWFPs) such as mushrooms, berries, cork and medicinal plants generate considerable value but remain underdeveloped. The Non-Wood Forest Products Policy Brief calls for improved data, digital traceability, flexible funding for small producers and stronger policy coherence across CAP, biodiversity and bioeconomy strategies. Agroforestry systems are presented as highly effective for climate resilience. Yet the Agroforestry Policy Brief notes that current CAP rules often penalise mixed land uses. Targeted reforms should reward farmers who establish and maintain these systems.
Where policy can make the difference
Taken together, the FOREST4EU policy briefs point to a sector that is rich in innovation but constrained by structures that were not designed with forestry, agroforestry and non-wood forest products in mind. The experiences of Operational Groups show that practical solutions already exist, from adaptive silviculture to digital traceability and cooperative business models.
What is needed now is a policy environment that recognises the specific dynamics of forest-based systems and provides stable, long-term support for experimentation, learning and deployment. If policymakers align funding tools, streamline administration and reinforce advisory services, Europe’s forests and agroforestry systems can become powerful engines of climate resilience, biodiversity recovery and rural prosperity.
