6th International Forest Policy Meeting 12-15 May 2026
Forest policy is shaped by a complex interplay of scientific knowledge, political agendas, diverse interests on forest ecosystem services, and public perceptions. Yet discrepancies frequently emerge—between policy objectives and their implementation, between expert assessments and societal understandings, and between institutional narratives and on-the-ground realities. These mismatches reflect the dual nature of forest policy: shaped both by objective data and subjective perceptions, which are influenced by cultural, historical, and socio-economic contexts.
The 6th International Forest Policy Meeting (IFPM6) will focus on the tension between perception and reality in forest policy, with a particular interest in the post-socialist transformation and current dynamics in forest governance in Eastern countries within the EU. However, the conference remains open to global perspectives and invites comparative case studies that shed light on how similar challenges are addressed in diverse contexts.
The conference will explore the underlying factors that contribute to these mismatches, including media narratives, stakeholder conflicts, regional disparities, and the selective use of scientific evidence. We are particularly interested in approaches to measuring perceptions—qualitatively and quantitatively—through the assessment of societal attitudes, stakeholder priorities, and expert evaluations.
A central question will be how to bridge perception gaps through participatory governance, inclusive stakeholder engagement, and transparent, effective communication. Contributions are encouraged to address how such misalignments influence policy outcomes—especially in conservation strategies, land use conflicts, and the integration of traditional or indigenous knowledge in forest decision-making.
When and where?
The IFPM6 meeting is a 3day in-person event (+ 1 day excursion) organised by the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague and Technical University in Zvolen, and will take place in the CZU Campus in Prague from May 12th to May 15th.
See all details here.
