The FOREST4EU project, in which the Centre of Competence for Research and Development (CEKOM) participates as the Croatian partner, has reached the finals of the 2026 Best EU Project in Croatia competition.
An expert jury selected the 36 best projects from nearly 50 submissions. We are especially proud that FOREST4EU is the only finalist from Vukovar-Srijem County and one of the finalists in the “Contribution to Education, Science and Innovation” category.
For CEKOM, this is a significant recognition. Being ranked among Croatia’s leading EU-funded projects confirms the value of our work, our international partnerships, and Vukovar-Srijem County’s contribution to the European research and innovation landscape.
A European Network for Innovation Transfer in Forestry
FOREST4EU is a Horizon Europe project focused on transferring knowledge, innovations, and proven solutions among EIP-AGRI Operational Groups, experts, and organisations working in forestry and agroforestry.
The project has brought together 86 Operational Groups and 329 experts from 25 European countries. Five thematic Innovation Hubs have been established, alongside an extensive collection of practical guidelines, technical resources, and recommendations covering sustainable forest management, climate change adaptation, and the development of the bioeconomy.
The project is coordinated by the University of Florence, with the Centre of Competence for Research and Development serving as the Croatian project partner. Through its participation, the project has given Croatian experts, institutions, businesses, and forest owners access to European innovations, expertise, and international partnerships.
Public Voting Begins in September
Online public voting for the best projects will begin in September on the Jutarnji.hr and Župan.hr portals. The international public will also be able to take part, which is particularly important for FOREST4EU as a project that brings together partners, Operational Groups, and experts from across Europe.
We will share information about the start of voting, along with the voting link and detailed instructions, as soon as they become available. We invite our project partners, collaborators, and stakeholders in Croatia and abroad, as well as all residents of Vukovar-Srijem County, to follow our channels and support FOREST4EU.
We would like to thank the Vukovar-Srijem County Development Agency and Vukovar-Srijem County for the nomination, as well as the expert jury for recognising the results and impact of our work.
Find out more about the project https://www.forest4eu.eu/
