Objectives

Conservation and sustainable use

The overall goal of EUFORGEN is to promote conservation and sustainable use of forest genetic resources in Europe as an integral part of sustainable forest management, and to serve as a platform for pan‐European collaboration in this area.

The specific objectives for Phase VI of the Programme are to:
1. Facilitate knowledge sharing and communicate with key stakeholders on forest genetic resources in Europe. This will involve maintaining and developing the EUFGIS information system and using that and other sources of information to contribute to reports such as the State of Europe’s Forests reports. EUFORGEN will also facilitate knowledge sharing and learning among relevant actors and communicate the importance of genetic diversity and outputs of EUFORGEN to policymakers, forestry professionals and practitioners on the ground, wider scientific community and society .

2. Coordinate and monitor the conservation of forest genetic resources in Europe. This objective requires EUFORGEN to monitor implementation of the pan-European genetic conservation strategy and update the strategy. It also contributes to the implementation of regional-level priorities of FAO Global Plan of Action for the Conservation, Sustainable Use and Development of Forest Genetic Resources.

3. Promote the appropriate use of forest genetic resources by preparing science-based guidelines and recommendations to improve genetic conservation in forest management. The work under this objective also entails analysis of policy issues to recommend changes when they conflict with the appropriate use of FGR.

The objectives will be achieved through the detailed work plans developed by the EUFORGEN Steering Committee, which will also monitor progress and update work plans when needed.