On Friday, October 18, 2024, we successfully organized the 3rd meeting of the South-East Europe Policy Focus Group as part of the FOREST4EU project. This online meeting brought together experts from the region to discuss key financial challenges in forestry and agroforestry, with a special emphasis on innovations in the sector.
The agenda included a series of extremely engaging presentations. PhD Theochasris Zagas from the Faculty of Forestry and Natural Environment at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki presented Greek forestry, covering its history, main characteristics, and the challenges it currently faces. He also highlighted funding opportunities for forestry and agroforestry projects in Greece, emphasizing potential funding sources and development opportunities for these sectors.
Branislav Trudić from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) provided a detailed overview of the main characteristics of forests and agroforestry areas in Serbia, focusing on the opportunities and challenges related to project funding in these sectors.
PhD Kathrin Böhling from the Bavarian State Institute of Forestry presented the results of the FOREST4EU innovation survey, highlighting differences in the innovativeness of forestry in South-East Europe. According to the survey results, forestry is considered innovative if it improves forest management, implements new technologies, and supports ecological values. We thank all participants for their active involvement and look forward to future meetings!
