About us

MEDFORGEN — the Mediterranean Forest Genetic Resources Network — is a regional initiative coordinated by the Mediterranean Facility of the European Forest Institute (EFIMED) and built on 30 years of experience from EUFORGEN. The project is funded by the Directorate‑General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf (DG MENA) and runs from October 2025 to October 2029.

Our Purpose

We work to improve the capacity of Southern and Eastern Mediterranean countries to conserve and enhance forest genetic diversity, strengthening their ability to adapt to increasing climate pressures.

MEDFORGEN brings together national representatives, researchers, public institutions, and restoration practitioners from Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Israel, Libya, and Egypt to collaborate on science‑based, regionally coherent solutions for forest genetic conservation.

Why Forest Genetic Resources Matter

Mediterranean forests host some of the world’s highest levels of plant diversity and endemism and play a crucial role in supporting rural livelihoods and ecosystem services such as watershed protection, carbon storage, and cultural landscapes. Conserving their genetic diversity ensures that forest species can continue to adapt to future climate and ecological challenges.