YLP Mediterranean

Building forest resilience through climate and biodiversity-smart management and restoration

The Southeastern European region, renowned for its extensive forests and rich biodiversity, acts as a critical climate refuge for numerous forest species. As one of Europe's most diverse forested areas, it supports a wide array of endemic species and ecosystems vital for ecological balance. However, these forests are increasingly threatened by climate change, facing more frequent extreme weather events, pest infestations, and shifts in precipitation patterns.

High-quality forest reproductive material (FRM)—such as seeds, cones, cuttings, and other plant materials used for forest regeneration—is essential for maintaining and enhancing forest resilience. Effective management and selection of FRM can improve forests' adaptability to changing climate conditions, support biodiversity, and ensure the sustainability of forest ecosystems.

Despite the significance of this sector, forestry jobs are becoming less attractive to younger generations. The sector's image needs revitalising to highlight the diverse opportunities it offers, especially in the context of climate-smart adaptation. Attracting young talent is crucial to meet the challenges of adapting Southeastern European forests to climate change, thereby harnessing the full potential of this vital resource.

The European Forest Institute’s Young Leadership Programme, Mediterranean 2025 (YLPMED 2025) will empower young leaders in Southeastern Europe to champion sustainable forest management and climate resilience by focusing on the selection, conservation, and use of high-quality forest reproductive material (FRM). The programme aims to leverage the region's rich biodiversity and its crucial role as a climate refuge to ensure the long-term health and resilience of its forests.

The programme will offer participants the opportunity to acquire in-depth knowledge of FRM, including its importance, types, and sources, while learning why FRM is key in climate change resilience approaches. Top-level experts, who will animate the programme, will provide training on good practices in the selection, collection, and handling of FRM and on modern techniques in genetic conservation and tree breeding.

Considering that being a leader requires much more than technical knowledge, YLPMED is an exciting opportunity for aspiring leaders to develop their soft skills and explore career options in the field of forestry. The skills programme focuses on capacity building for communication and advocacy, to support participants to effectively communicate the importance of forestry and FRM to various audiences, including policymakers, local communities, and potential young recruits. The programme also includes activities aimed at developing media campaigns to equip participants with skills to design and execute campaigns aimed at revitalising the image of the forestry sector. Thus, social media strategies, content creation and storytelling are on the programme.

EFI’s Young Leadership Programme was established in 2014 and the first Mediterranean edition took place in 2018.

YLPMED 2025 will take place in the week beginning 5 May and will be hosted by the Croatian Forest Research Institute in Jastrebarsko (near Zagreb), Croatia.

Join YLPMED 2025 for

• a comprehensive understanding of how climate and biodiversity-smart management and restoration, which entails the sustainable use of forest reproductive material, is essential for maintaining and enhancing forest resilience. 
• the scientific knowledge and soft skills necessary to become an effective and influential leader in this field.

Stay tuned: the application period will open on 1 October 2024!