FOREXT – the European Network of Forest Extension Organizations

EFI-European Forest Institute initiated, with the support of the Finnish Forestry Centre, the recent creation of the European Network of Forest Extension Organizations (FOREXT) to strengthen international cooperation on forestry issues (management, mobilization, climate change, education and training, etc.).

Officially launched on 1 October 2019, FOREXT started its activities already in late 2017, signing a joint Memorandum of Understanding and joining forces with 14 organizations in 10 European countries. Under the support of EFI and Dr. Nataša Lovrić, this collaboration allows in the future to promote joint responses to competitive calls for EU projects. The network aim is to build their capacities in training and education of private forest owners, supporting the development of their associations, inventorying and marking of private forests, preparation of forest management plans for private forests, enforcement of forest legislation in private forests, providing subsidies for more sustainable forest management, organizing sale of wood from private forests, capacity building for private forestry, etc.

The network gets together twice a year to discuss its work and to learn from one another. In 2018 they met in Bonn, Germany and in Bilbao, Spain. In 2019, the meetings were held in Montpellier, France and Helsinki, Finland. Due to COVID-19, the meetings in 2020 and 2021 took place virtually. In 2021, another initiative was launched: FOREXT Fridays, a monthly webinar series, so be sure the share the information within your organization.