The FORWARDS project is driving innovation and resilience in European forestry through its grant calls, funding pioneering initiatives aimed at tackling climate change and promoting sustainable forest management. These projects, implemented across multiple European regions, address critical challenges such as wildfire prevention, forest restoration, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity conservation.

You can consult the full list of ongoing projects funded through the FORWARDS grants here.

Newly awarded projects: a commitment to sustainable forestry

On 28 November 2024, FORWARDS awarded grants to five new projects that will implement Climate-Smart Forestry (CSF) practices in different European landscapes:

• EduCyprus (Cyprus): Led by Periopsis Ltd., this project aims to raise awareness of CSF in the Mediterranean region, where forests are increasingly threatened by extreme climate conditions. Using the innovative GAEA geospatial tool, the project will engage local stakeholders through data stories, geo-visualizations, and online learning modules.
• Green Galicia (Spain): Managed by Gallanova Norte, this initiative focuses on wildfire prevention and sustainable forest management in Galicia. Through active community participation, the project will establish natural firebreaks, diversify forest species, and develop technological tools for fire risk monitoring.
• MIMONTE (Spain): With Fundación Desert Leaves and partners, this project seeks to restore and manage Mediterranean forests in degraded areas of eastern Spain. By involving local actors and landowners, MIMONTE aims to improve biodiversity, reduce climate-related risks, and promote sustainable forest investments.
• RESTART (Italy): Implemented by Spiritus Mundi ODV and Collettivo Pictor, this project will engage local communities in Padua Province to restore lowland forests as a key strategy for climate change mitigation.
• Y-FOREST (Croatia): Led by Centar za mlade VG, this project empowers youth and local communities in Velika Gorica by educating them on sustainable forest management practices, ensuring future generations are equipped to combat climate-related threats.

Earlier in 2024, FORWARDS funded several other groundbreaking projects, further strengthening Europe’s resilience to climate change. Some key initiatives include:

• CsFagus (Serbia): Investigating climate-smart management strategies for beech forests in the Balkans.
• iSINK (Romania): Developing strategies to enhance forest carbon sequestration and contribute to climate goals.
• BorealNet (Norway): Filling critical knowledge gaps on how climate extremes impact boreal forest ecosystems.
• CEURDIST (Germany): Creating a comprehensive database to monitor forest disturbances in Central Europe using remote sensing.
• EFID (Italy): Enhancing near real-time forest disturbance mapping to support sustainable decision-making.

Through these projects, FORWARDS is actively contributing to a more sustainable and climate-resilient future for European forests. By supporting innovation in forest management and engaging local communities, these initiatives will play a crucial role in safeguarding biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and ensuring the long-term health of our forests.

For more information about the third party grants, visit EFI website.

Cover image by Tj Holowaychuk on Unsplash