The FOREST Partnership (FOrests, forestry, and the forest-based sector: REsearch and innovation for a Sustainable Transition) officially begins today, June 1st 2026, marking the start of a major Horizon Europe initiative to strengthen research, innovation, and collaboration across Europe’s forest-based sector. Coordinated by Finland’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MMM), the ten-year partnership brings together nearly 100 organisations from 28 countries to support sustainable forest management, climate resilience, biodiversity, and the circular bioeconomy.
The partnership aims to align fragmented research efforts, foster cross-border cooperation, and deliver impactful solutions for forests and forest-based value chains through a shared Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda.
Mika Kallio, Coordinator of the FOREST Partnership at Finland’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, welcomed the launch:
Today marks the official start of our journey together, and it’s a real pleasure to celebrate this milestone with all of you. We are excited to begin this collaboration and confident that, together, we can achieve meaningful impact for the forest-based sector and beyond.
The launch represents a significant step towards building a stronger European research and innovation ecosystem for forests and forestry, supporting the objectives of the EU Forest Strategy and Horizon Europe.