Brussels – Exploring the state of the forestry sector in Europe and fostering the exchange of best practices are the key objectives of the sixth edition of the Forest Innovation Workshop, titled “Inform-Prioritize-Collaborate: Building a Sustainable Forest Future through Regional Cooperation and Innovation.” This year, the event will take place alongside the mid-term conference of the OptFor-EU project on February 11-12 in Brussels, at the Bavarian Representation office.

Organized by the European Forest Institute, the Network of European Regions for Innovation in Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ERIAFF), and the EU projects FOREST4EU and OptFor-EU, with the support of Euromontana and other stakeholders, the two-day workshop will provide a platform for policymakers, forest owners, professionals, researchers, associations, and NGOs to engage and explore the latest innovations. Discussions will focus on regional priorities and will encourage collaboration among key players in the forestry sector.

In preparation for the workshop, the ERIAFF forestry working group has adopted a document endorsed by over 15 European regions, advocating for a coordinated European approach to the numerous forestry initiatives while also proposing operational guidelines to secure the future of Europe’s forests.

“This workshop,” emphasized Stefania Saccardi, Vice President of the Tuscany Region, “aligns with the objectives of the ERIAFF forestry working group’s document, which Tuscany has signed. It will focus on informing and strengthening cooperation among European regions in the field of forestry innovation at the EU level.”

Besides the Tuscany Region, the University of Florence and Blue Biloba (a university spin-off specializing in forestry consultancy at regional, national, and European levels) are also involved.