Set against the inspiring backdrop of the Tuscan capital, the meeting offered an important opportunity to review progress across the different Work Packages over recent months, while fostering dialogue, mutual exchange and collective learning. Activities officially began on Tuesday morning with a plenary session entirely dedicated to the ForestWard Observatory — the project’s core output. This session provided a valuable update on the current state of development, key technical advances and the contribution of the various WPs to its implementation.

FORWARDS partners taking part in a workshop dedicated to exploitation

FORWARDS partners taking part in a workshop dedicated to exploitation

Over the following days, participants engaged in a rich programme of thematic sessions and workshops. WP2 focused on forest monitoring, exploring innovative approaches to link ground-based data with remote sensing, detect drought impacts using regional growth indices and satellite imagery, and improve forest disturbance mapping and vulnerability assessment. These sessions were led by WSL, LUKE, and UNIFI, and represent just a selection of the topics discussed within WP2.

WP3 sessions addressed the practical application of Climate-Smart Forestry, presenting approaches to disturbance modelling and restoration runs with EFISCEN-space (EFI), as well as analyses of carbon balance in European forests, past trends and future restoration potential (LUND). WP4 highlighted the crucial role of stakeholder engagement, showcasing initiatives designed to actively involve citizens in forest protection and conservation. In addition, an interactive session on the indicator list, led by ESSRG, connected the knowledge needs of external stakeholders with the indicators compiled in FORWARDS over recent months.

The Annual Meeting concluded with a storytelling workshop organised by EFI and ICONS, encouraging partners to reflect on how scientific knowledge and data can be communicated in a clear, accessible and engaging way to wider audiences.

WP3 presentation on Disturbance modelling approaches and CSF and restoration runs with EFISCEN-space

Across workshops and sessions, a shared message clearly emerged: collaboration and knowledge exchange are essential to address the complexity of today’s forest challenges. Interestingly, this is also how forests themselves function. Research shows that trees are connected through underground and above-ground networks, exchanging resources and signals that help them adapt collectively to changing environmental conditions. In the same way, FORWARDS builds resilience through connection — by linking disciplines, data, and people to grow a shared understanding of Europe’s forests.

Partners stretching after discussions