Phase VII of EUFORGEN and FORGENIUS’ achievements presented at the Forest Europe Expert Level Meeting
EUFORGEN and FORGENIUS unveiled two strategic innovations at the Forest Europe Expert Level Meeting) in Stockholm: a new liaison role to broaden participation and a genetic conservation indicator to enhance dynamic monitoring of native species.
Forest genetic conservation continues to unfold as EUFORGEN and FORGENIUS jointly presented their strategic achievements at the Expert Level Meeting (ELM) held in Stockholm in September. The event gathered over 70 participants, including representatives from 25 Forest Europe signatory countries and 18 observer organisations.
The combined efforts of EUFORGEN and FORGENIUS, pave the way for a transformative approach that facilitates accessibility, fosters cooperation, and strengthens data-driven forest conservation across Europe.
Michele Bozzano, coordinator of EUFORGEN, presented the ambitious Phase VII (2025–2029) strategy, spotlighting new opportunities for networking, inclusivity, and broader participation. A key development was the introduction of a new liaison role, the Contact Person, designed to engage Forest Europe signatories not yet formal EUFORGEN members. This role will serve as a bridge to the Secretariat, support the EUFGIS data-sharing agreement process, and help in nominating national focal points for forest genetic data.
Building on this vision, Ivan Scotti of INRAE and coordinator of the Horizon project FORGENIUS, which has been integrated into EUFORGEN’s strategic objectives and implementation plan since 2021, presented the project’s milestones. FORGENIUS has significantly improved access to forest genetic resources through robust genetic characterisation protocols and a user-friendly information system tailored for decision-makers. These innovations are reflected in the upgraded EUFGIS platform, which remains the cornerstone for geo-referenced data on genetic conservation units across Europe.
Aligned with the spirit of the ELM, these developments lay the ground for future policy frameworks for sustainable forest management across Europe.
