EFI opens new UK office to strengthen forest governance collaboration
The European Forest Institute has officially opened its new office in Edinburgh, marking an important milestone in EFI's engagement with partners across the United Kingdom and strengthening connections between UK expertise and EFI's European and international networks.
The new office will support collaboration on shared challenges including climate resilience, sustainable forest management, forest restoration and forest governance. By strengthening ties with the UK's research, policy and practitioner communities, EFI aims to foster knowledge exchange and contribute to evidence-based solutions that support forests and the benefits they provide to society.
The inauguration event brought together around 60 participants from government, academia, civil society organisations and international partners to discuss forest governance challenges and opportunities from UK, European and global perspectives. Conversations focused on the role of stronger governance, better evidence and international cooperation in addressing growing pressures on forests from climate change, biodiversity loss and land-use change.
"EFI has enjoyed strong collaboration with UK institutions and partners for many years. The opening of our UK office marks a new chapter in that relationship, creating new opportunities to connect UK expertise with EFI's European and global networks," said Dr Robert Mavsar, Director of EFI. "By bringing together research, policy and practice, we can strengthen cooperation, promote knowledge exchange, and support forest governance and sustainable forest management in Europe and beyond."
Maggie Charnley, Head of the International Forests Unit at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), said: "Strong forest governance is about ensuring forests are managed sustainably, transparently and in ways that support local communities, biodiversity and climate goals. As pressures on forests grow around the world, the UK office will help connect expertise, evidence and practical experience to support solutions that benefit people, nature and the climate.
Edinburgh was selected as the location for EFI's UK office because of its world-class forestry research, academic and policy communities, internationally engaged institutions, and growing expertise in climate, nature and sustainable development. The office will help strengthen links between Scottish, UK, European and international partners, creating new opportunities for collaboration, innovation and evidence-based policymaking.
The Edinburgh office also hosts the International Forest Governance Hub, a collaborative platform established to advance inclusive and evidence-based approaches to forest governance through policy engagement, applied research, shared learning and strategic partnerships.
The office joins EFI's headquarters in Joensuu, Finland, and EFI offices in Barcelona, Bonn, Rome and Kuala Lumpur. It is EFI's first new location since 2022, reflecting EFI's continued commitment to fostering international collaboration and supporting sustainable forest-based solutions across Europe and beyond.
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