This initiative is a continuation of the collaboration between CNPF and the Réseau Rural National (RRN) as part of the implementation of the European Partnership for Innovation (PEI-AGRI). It builds on the “Forest and Climate Change” thematic expertise carried out in 2017-2018 via the AFORCE network and already initiated by the RRN.

Set up in 2014, PEI-AGRI encourages cooperation between stakeholders in the field, researchers and decision-makers in the agricultural and forestry sectors at both European and regional level. Based on the European Union’s R&D programme (Horizon 2020 / Europe) and the European Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), for which the Regional Councils are managing authorities [see attached diagram], this scheme is strengthened in the National Strategic Plan (2023-2027). It is therefore important for foresters to take ownership of the mechanisms supporting development, in order to provide a coordinated response to the challenges facing forestry, particularly in terms of adapting to and mitigating climate change.

As part of the “Forests, climate change and innovation” assessment carried out by AFORCE in 2017-2018 and supported by the RRN, 6 discussion workshops were organised in the regions with 127 participants from over 400 invited regional stakeholders (owners, managers, researchers, environmental associations, etc.). The aim of these exchanges was to provide an overview of past and current projects, to identify regional forestry issues and priorities, and to put these discussions into perspective at the European level. This work was presented at the AFORCE network’s 10th anniversary symposium in April 2019. At that time, a number of forestry projects under the IEP had been initiated or launched across France.

The Sustainable Forest thematic programme (2021-2023) run by the CNPF in collaboration with ECOFOR and IEFC, aims to promote the results of the most relevant forestry-related PEI-AGRI projects (multi-stakeholder projects, thematic networks and operational groups) from the 2014-2020 period (see attached map). To achieve this, transfer and communication actions are underway, such as the production of project summary sheets (to be published), the production of 6 presentation videos, as well as the organisation of exchange workshops in the regions and a feedback webinar planned for autumn 2023.

Given the low proportion of forestry projects (around 5%) in the PEI-AGRI, this initiative aims to promote awareness, the emergence of new projects and partnerships via Horizon Europe and the EAFRD, and to encourage the decompartmentalisation of work among the various types of French forestry organisations involved in Research, Development and Innovation (RDI).

• Wood mobilisation
• Adaptation of forests to climate change
• Sustainable forest management and ecosystem services
• Non-wood forest products
• Agroforestry

It should be noted that at European level, a similar initiative, the FOREST4EU (2023-2025), will enable the capitalisation of the results of all the forestry and agro-forestry projects of the PEI-AGRI, including those of France, which are focussed around 5 innovation themes:

The FOREST4EU project is funded by Horizon Europe (2021-2027) and coordinated by the University of Florence (Italy). It brings together 16 organisations, including CNPF, from 9 European countries (Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Latvia and Finland).

Benjamin Chapelet, CNPF