Ljubljana hosted the third international study visit of the FOREST4EU project, held from May 28 to 30, 2025, organized by the Slovenian Forestry Institute (GIS). More than 50 experts, researchers, and entrepreneurs from across Europe gathered to exchange experiences and present innovations in the forestry sector, with a particular focus on wood mobilization and digital solutions for sustainable forest management.
During the visit, participants became acquainted with the Slovenian forest management model. Key challenges were presented, such as the low engagement of forest owners, the fragmentation of forest properties, and the need to strengthen forest owners' associations. Participants had the opportunity to learn about the work of the Slovenian Forestry Institute, the Slovenian Forestry Service, and the Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry, which support forest owners and promote active management.
he field part of the visit led participants through Cerje, Lokvica, and Bled, where they explored the work of innovative operational groups that are setting new standards in the sector.
- PRI.FOR.MAN: development of a Decision Support System (DSS) that uses spatial layers, drones, and GIS to assess accessibility and harvesting costs.
- GO SURF: an application for sustainable forest planning and wood transport optimization, which facilitates resource mapping and logistics.
- eGOZD/Moj Gozdar: a digital system for creating forest management plans, connecting forest owners and contractors, digitizing contracts, and evaluating contractor performance.
- Di-GOZD/DIGI GOZD: a web and mobile application that assists forest owners in forest management, yield assessment, and event monitoring, including augmented reality for on-site measurements.
A part of the program was dedicated to an interactive roundtable, where participants exchanged experiences, discussed innovations, and explored opportunities for future collaboration. A final survey provided valuable feedback and helped define the next steps of the project.
The study visit to Slovenia once again confirmed the importance of digitalization, innovative approaches, and international cooperation in strengthening sustainable forestry and wood mobilization in Europe.
