Forest Academy for EU Decision Makers 2023

The Finnish Forest Association is currently planning the third Forest Academy forum intended for European decision-makers, to be organised next autumn in Finland.

The joint initiative by Finland and Sweden builds dialogue on forests between EU institutions. The invitational discussion forum focuses on the role of forests and forest-based solutions in achieving Europe’s important climate, energy, biodiversity, resilience and economic goals.

The invitees will include decision-makers from various EU institutions, especially the European Parliament and the European Commission, as well as representatives of research and development, business, NGOs, plus stakeholders with links to the forest and bioeconomy sectors. The event forms an occasion for decision-makers to connect with other key people in the EU institutions and to share insights on the opportunities that forests can offer to society.

Programme to support decision-makers’ dialogue on EU-level forest topics

The event will take place on 20–22 September in Central Finland and will consist of seminar sessions, field excursions, discussions and network building. The committee drafting the programme is assisted by the forest sector.

The event is financed by the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Finnish Forest Foundation, the Metsämiesten säätiö foundation and the Finnish Forest Association. The event utilises the Forest Academy communication tool produced by the Finnish Forest Association. The Forest Academy communication programme has been active in Finland since 1996, and over 1,500 top-level decision-makers from different sectors of society have participated in the forums.