EFI and SLU create new EFI Research Network

EFI and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)  have signed an agreement to create a new EFI Research Network, coordinated by SLU with the support of the Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE) and Nordic Forest Research (SNS). The new network called: Forest Bioeconomy Network (ForBioeconomy) will contribute to the implementation of the EFI Bioeconomy Strategy theme, and will primarily focus on the forest-based bioeconomy in the context of northern Europe, addressing both regional diversity as well as emerging challenges and opportunities.

The Network will establish strong cooperation with the Bioeconomy programme coordinated from Joensuu, with a specific focus on (i) sustainable and efficient production and use of biomass (ii) securing sustainable provision of forest ecosystem services and (iii) promotion of supply and demand for bio-based products.

The Network will mainly conduct activities in the field of research and knowledge networking (e.g., scientific seminar, research development and policy analysis), capacity building (e.g., summer schools, PhD seminars, collaboration policy-research organizations) and building bridges through scientific cooperation (e.g., between northern European countries, and/or between forest stakeholders).

In August 2018, EFI and University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna signed the agreement for establishing the first EFI Research Network, which focuses on forest policy and governance.

More information: Research Network Coordinator, Camilla Widmark, firstname.lastname@efi.int

Title image: Conny Sjostrom - stock.adobe.com
Photo: Jarkko Haltia