Forging a sustainable future: engaging communities in climate-smart forestry

30 April 2024 – FORWARDS, a pioneering initiative funded by the European Union, is pleased to announce the launch of a call for grants: Citizen and Stakeholder Engagement in CSF and Forest Restoration. The grants are managed by FORWARDS partner EFI – the European Forest Institute. 

FORWARDS aims to transform forest management practices by introducing the ForestWard Observatory, a groundbreaking pan-European monitoring and evaluation tool designed to assess the impact of climate change on forests. As part of this endeavor, the project seeks to engage citizens and stakeholders in co-creating solutions that will bolster the resilience of European forests in the face of climate challenges. 

 

Call Objective 

The new call for grants seeks to promote greater engagement of local communities, organizations, and stakeholders in CSF decision-making processes. By supporting initiatives that raise awareness, assess social impacts, and foster inclusive participation, FORWARDS aims to empower citizens and stakeholders to contribute actively to the sustainable management of forests. 

Call invites proposals that address one or more of the following objectives: 

1. Increase awareness and provide knowledge on the need for CSF. 

1. Assess the potential social impacts of CSF. 

1. Develop structures and processes to include perspectives and aspirations of citizens and stakeholders in management strategies. 

Supported activities may include educational campaigns, stakeholder surveys, community mapping workshops, multi-stakeholder dialogues, and capacity building efforts. 

 

Project Documentation and Reporting 

Beneficiaries of the grants are expected to provide comprehensive documentation of their projects, including objectives, activities, outcomes, and lessons learned. 

 

Collaboration with FORWARDS 

During project implementation, beneficiaries are welcome to engage in dialogue with the FORWARDS project on engagement activity methods and participate in knowledge exchange opportunities. Selected grant projects may be featured as case studies in FORWARDS reports to share best practices and lessons learned. 

 

How to Apply 

Interested parties are invited to submit their proposals in accordance with the guidelines outlined in the Call for Grants document. The deadline for submissions is 1 September 2024. 

For more information and to access the Call for Grants, please visit the FORWARDS website or contact forwards@efi.int.