Shaping the future of forest research & innovation for a competitive Europe – 15 October 2025, Brussels
After two years of dedicated collaboration, lively consultations, and research, we are excited to invite you to the official launch of the strategic R&I agenda for forestry and the forest-based sector (SRIA) at our high-level event, “Shaping the Future of Forest Research & Innovation for a Competitive Europe”. Join us in Brussels on October 15 from 9:00 to 15:00 CET for a day full of inspiring discussions and exciting opportunities.
During this event, we will discuss the content and goals of the SRIA and offer a forum for dialogue, joint reflection, and future planning, created for stakeholders like you to participate, ask questions, and help shape the way ahead.
Our agenda has been updated and here is what to expect:
9:00 – 9:30 Arrival of participants
9:30–9:45 Welcoming words by Alex Giurca (EFI) and Salvatore Martire (EC REA)
9:45–10:05 Keynote – setting the scene: Forest in the context of EU strategic priorities by Luis Vivas-Alegre (DG AGRI)
10:05–10:30 Building the SRIA: A short overview of he SRIA development journey and key milestones. Presented by Alex Giurca (EFI) & Jan Schmidt (FNR)
10:55–11:55 Many voices, one agenda – Co-creating the SRIA. A SRIA informed by science, administration, industry and civil society. Panel discussion moderated by Rach Colling, EFI
Our panelists include:
- Vanesa Baño (Innovawood)
- Oliver Brendel (INRAE)
- David Butler Manning (Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity, BMLEH)
- Alina Lehikoinen (Confederation of European Forest Owners, CEPF)
12:00–13:00 Lunch
13:00–13:30 Turning the SRIA into Action: What’s Next? – Presented and moderated by Tony Quinn (Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, DAFM) & Mika Kallio (Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, MMM)
A forward-looking session that connects the SRIA with the upcoming Forest Partnership and encourages open dialogue, questions, and ideas about the future Partnership.
13:30–15:00 Forest Fusion
An interactive session designed to spark new connections and collaborative ideas among participants clustered around SRIA topics with a view toward the Forest Partnership’s future calls.
15:00–15 :10 Wrap-up by Alex Giurca, EFI