New European Partnership FOREST (Forests, Forestry and the Forest-Based Sector: Research and Innovation for a Sustainable Transition) is launching its first joint call for research and innovation projects with a budget of over 40 million euros. The call, titled FORESTPathways – Building Knowledge and Solutions for Resilient Forests and Sustainable Forest-Based Futures is scheduled to open September 15, 2026. Projects are scheduled to begin in the first half of 2028.
The first joint call under the FOREST program will support cross-sectoral collaboration and innovative solutions to promote biodiverse, climate-resilient, multifunctional, and resilient forests and forestry sectors throughout Europe and beyond. The partnership aims to mobilize research and innovation in an effort to accelerate the transition to sustainable use of forest resources and a wood-based circular bioeconomy.
Thirty-eight research funding organizations from 28 countries will participate in the call. The Czech Republic’s participation will be administered by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic, but the conditions for Czech participants are not yet known.
Expected thematic areas of the call:
- TOPIC 1 – Climate-Resilient Forest Systems
- TOPIC 2 – Adaptive and Multifunctional Forest Management Systems
- TOPIC 3 – Timber and Innovative Wood-Based Products
- TOPIC 4 – Forest Value Chains, Markets, and Governance
Those interested in the call may participate in the following events:
- September 17, 2026 | Information Webinar – Participants will gain an overview of the call for proposals and become familiar with the system for submitting and evaluating project proposals.
- September 30, 2026 | In-Person Partner Meeting – during the EUFORE Final Conference 2026 (September 29–30 September 2026, Brussels), a meeting will be held with the aim of connecting potential partners, fostering collaboration, and facilitating the formation of project consortia.
- October 6, 2026 | Networking webinar—focused on finding project partners, supporting the establishment of collaborations, and forming project consortia.
Source: TC Prague, FORESTVALUE