The European FOREST Partnership will officially be launched on 13-14 October 2026, during its Kick-off Event in Helsinki, Finland
The event will mark the start of a initiative focused on mobilising research and innovation to accelerate the transition to a sustainable forest circular-bioeconomy. This partnership seeks to enhance resilience of the ecosystems including the promotion of biodiversity, soil fertility and strengthen the adaptation to climate change impacts. Throughout the next ten years, 100 partners from 28 countries in Europe and beyond will launch transnational joint calls for research projects, which will be accompanied by a whole ecosystem of additonal activities to support and amplify the impact of the projects. The Partnership’s work will be backed by a total budget of 233M EUR, out of which 70M EUR represent the support of the European Union.
The FOREST Partnership Launch Event, taking place on 13–14 October 2026 in Helsinki, Finland, will bring together representatives of the European Commission, Finnish national institutions, forest and timber stakeholders, research organisations, industry, nature conservation organisations and international networks to officially launch the FOREST Partnership under Horizon Europe.
The first day will focus on the public launch of the Partnership, including high-level opening interventions from the European Commission and Finnish authorities, an introduction to the FOREST Partnership and its activities, and a series of stakeholder panels exploring the needs and expectations of the forest and timber sector. The programme will bring together diverse perspectives from the timber value chain, policy, nature conservation, research, forest and timber networks and international organisations, with discussions focusing on future collaboration and the global dimension of the Partnership. A co-creation workshop will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to contribute to shaping the Partnership’s international dimension.
The second day will be dedicated to the FOREST Partnership General Assembly workshop, providing partners with a more detailed overview of the Partnership’s strategic orientation, Horizon Europe framework, research and innovation calls, additional activities, global dimension, communication and stakeholder engagement, and exploitation. Interactive sessions will further support collaboration among partners and provide space to discuss the implementation of the Partnership’s activities and future calls.The second day will be dedicated to the FOREST Partnership General Assembly workshop, providing partners with a more detailed overview of the Partnership’s strategic orientation, Horizon Europe framework, research and innovation calls, additional activities, global dimension, communication and stakeholder engagement, and exploitation. Interactive sessions will further support collaboration among partners and provide space to discuss the implementation of the Partnership’s activities and future calls.
Across both days, the event will provide a platform for exchange between policy-makers, researchers, industry representatives, forest practitioners and other stakeholders, strengthening links across sectors and national contexts and supporting the co-creation of knowledge and solutions for resilient forests and sustainable forest-based futures.