FOREST

The European FOREST Partnership (FOrests, forestry and the forest-based Sector: REsearch and Innovation for a Sustainable Transition) promotes cutting-edge research and innovation (R&I) to accelerate the transformation of the European forest-based sector into a resilient and knowledge-intensive contributor to a sustainable circular bioeconomy and to society. In line with Horizon Europe’s Destination “Circular economy and bioeconomy sectors” and Expected Impact 29 of Cluster 6, the Partnership will coordinate transnational R&I across 28 countries, involving 100 partners from ministries, funding agencies and research performing organisations. A core feature of the Partnership is the joint coordination of national and regional R&I programmes to overcome fragmentation and align efforts across Europe. Open to all eligible entities, it will actively promote international collaboration, with targeted efforts to engage underrepresented regions and sectors. Through Living Labs, Communities of Practice and stakeholder co-creation, the Partnership will integrate ecological, technological, economic and social dimensions, ensuring that open science, gender inclusivity and harmonised data protocols are central to implementation. Over a ten-year duration (2026-2036), the Partnership will launch seven co-funded joint calls, supporting 200-250 R&I projects. It will deliver tailored solutions aligned with EU priorities including the Green Deal, Forest Strategy 2030, Biodiversity Strategy, and Circular Economy Action Plan. Expected outcomes include a concerted European R&I system for forests and the forest-based sector, improved forest governance, enhanced resilience, biodiversity conservation, and wider uptake of research results. By doing so, the Partnership will contribute to EU climate neutrality, strategic autonomy, and global leadership in sustainable forest management.