In 2025, the European Forest Institute (EFI) strengthened its role at the intersection of science, policy and practice. A key milestone was the completion of EFI Strategy 2040, developed with staff, member countries, member organisations, the Board and the Scientific Advisory Board. The strategy sets a new long-term direction for the organisation and will be launched on the International Day of Forests in 2026.
Research and policy support remained at the centre of EFI’s work. EFI researchers published more than 170 peer-reviewed papers and implemented 46 research projects, including seven EU-funded projects coordinated by EFI. The Policy Support Facility published seven policy briefs and nine Forest Questions explainers, while policy-related scientific outputs exceeded 1,400 citations.
EFI also advanced work on forest governance, innovation and risk management. The launch of the Forest Risk Facility (FoRISK) created a new pan-European platform for collaboration on forest disaster risk management. Through the Bioregions Facility, EFI supported sustainable forest bioeconomy transitions, engaging more than 700 stakeholders and helping over 60 innovations move forward through matchmaking, networking and events.
Other highlights included the Apulia Regenerative Cotton Project in Italy, which showed how agroforestry can support sustainable supply chains, and expanded support for implementing the EU Deforestation Regulation through EFI’s Technical Facility on Deforestation-free Value Chains.
EFI continued to build connections through its Annual Conference in Prague, the new The Bigger Picture webinar series, and the Helsinki Forest Talks. Internally, EFI strengthened its organisational culture with new institutional and leadership values, and finalised an Inclusivity Strategy to be launched in 2026.
By the end of the year, EFI employed 173 staff members from 49 nationalities. Women represented 53% of staff, and researchers and experts made up 61% of the workforce. Together, these achievements show EFI’s continued commitment to connecting knowledge and action for resilient forests and sustainable societies.
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