Forests on the front line: LIFE showcases pathways to healthy and resilient European forests

The LIFE European Forest Restoration Platform Meeting, which took place 3-5 June in Brașov, Romania, was co-organised by CINEA and DG ENV and hosted by the Foundation Conservation Carpathia (FCC). The 3-day event brought together more than 90 participants from 17 EU Member States, the UK and Serbia, representing 38 LIFE projects and other relevant Horizon and Interreg projects, as well as forest experts, researchers, NGOs and forest authorities.  

The meeting provided a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge and insights in support of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation and 2030 Forest Strategy. Keynote sessions with interactive panel discussions on the first day and 4 parallel working groups on the second day reflected the most urgent challenges and opportunities for Europe’s forests. The final day was dedicated to excursions to the LIFE Carpathia and LIFE Rosalia project sites, where discussions about the topics covered in the platform continued directly in the field. 

As CINEA project adviser Simona Bacchereti commented, ‘The variety of approaches presented — from the restoration of forest beetle habitats to bioeconomy or climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies — illustrates how LIFE contributes to integrated forest management solutions.’ 

Plenary sessions and thematic presentations — including insightful contributions from DG ENV and CINEA — set the current policy, technical and socio-economic background and provided space for some lively exchanges during the extensive panels. 

Working Group 1 explored the restoration of degraded habitats and old-growth forests using native species, closer-to-nature forest (CNF) management and natural regeneration. Romania’s LIFE Rosalia, for example, aims to conserve and restore forests for rare beetles; LIFE GOPROFOR-MED applies flexible CNF management models across four Mediterranean countries; LIFE for Eagles’ Habitats encourages diverse, structure-rich forest habitats for raptors through public-private partnerships (PPPs) in Bulgaria; while LIFE in the Ravines combats ash dieback in the UK. Other LIFE projects sharing their work on floodplain forests included LIFE ALNUS TAEJO in Spain and Portugal as well as LIFE WILDisland and LIFE-RESTORE-for-MDD, focusing on alluvial forest habitats along the Danube and its tributaries. 

Working Group 2 tackled forests and climate change, looking at how adaptive forest management can reduce climate vulnerability while boosting carbon sequestration. Among those featured were Spanish project LIFE RedBosques_Clima and Estonian LIFE ADAPTEst — which focus on nature-based adaptation —  and LIFE STEMMA ATHOS from Greece, which develops strategic and integrated forest management through the perspective of climate change adaptation and mitigation. 

Working Group 3 focused on how silvo-pastoral systems and agroforestry can jointly benefit biodiversity and rural livelihoods. Spain’s LIFE AgroForAdapt, for example, pilots different agroforestry systems to support climate change adaptation in Mediterranean farm and forest landscapes, while LIFE Natura 2000 Revisited in Czechia includes silvopasture trials among other innovations aimed at improving habitat and species status. 

Working Group 4 — financing forest restoration — examined the role of economic tools and market-based instruments in forest management. LIFE Token CO₂ presented its advanced CO₂ life-cycle model and digital emissions trading system for efficient, sustainable forest management. Latvian project LIFE-IP LatViaNature successfully encourages private landowners to conserve forest biodiversity, while the Romanian experience from the Forest Stewardship Council’s FSC illustrates how Payments for Forest Ecosystem Services (PFES) can drive restoration efforts. 

In addition to those mentioned, many other LIFE projects made valuable contributions to the four working groups. You can find links to their work, the meeting agenda and project presentations on the meeting web page.