The Model Forest Istra Association is a partner in the EU project SMURF – Sustainable Management models and value chains for small forests, which is funded through the Horizon Europe program.
The SMURF project brings together 26 partners from numerous European countries and focuses on the development of effective management models and value chains for small private forests. Such forests in many regions make up a significant share of the total forest area, but are often neglected in management, planning and support systems.
The SMURF project is aligned with the EU Forest Strategy and, through its activities over the next four years, will try to enable 20 million forest owners across Europe to generate economic activities in forests while managing forests for the purpose of conservation and adaptation to climate change.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
• The primary objective of the SMURF project is to promote sustainable forest management and the preservation of European forests.
• The focus is on developing solutions for small forest holdings, taking into account the diversity of ownership (over 16 million owners in Europe).
KEY SOLUTIONS PROPOSED BY SMURF
• Develop new organizational and business models adapted to small forest holdings.
• Base these models on nature-based forest management practices (CNS) to improve sustainability.
• Promote new ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation.
• Emphasize the valorization of wood and non-wood forest products.
The project aims to provide sustainable solutions that will benefit the forest-based value chain. This includes addressing environmental issues, promoting economic sustainability through wood/non-wood products, and taking into account social and cultural aspects of forest management.
Role of the Istria Model Forest
As a project partner, the Istria Model Forest participates in collecting field data and analyzing the state of private forests in Istria. Activities include surveying forest owners, collaborating with local communities, experts and institutions to better understand the challenges, needs and potentials in managing small private forests.
In addition, we are involved in international working groups that will develop recommendations for sustainable management, identify funding and support opportunities and develop replicable management models applicable in different European regions during the project.
Small private forests are often unregulated, with unclear ownership, fragmented, very small areas and without economic interest in using wood – especially in cases of scrub and low-quality stands. The SMURF project aims to change this reality by establishing sustainable forest management, connecting owners and creating market opportunities throughout the value chain.
The Croatian Association of Private Forest Owners is also participating in the project as a partner.
You can find out more about the project on the website and social networks:
X (Twitter): @SMURFProject
LinkedIn: SMURF Project
YouTube: SMURF Project Channel
Facebook: Facebook
