The European regional network ERIAFF (European Regions for Innovation in Agriculture, Food and Forestry) has now been granted observer status in Forest Europe, the pan-European platform where 44 European countries cooperate on strategies for forests and sustainable forest management. This new step strengthens both regional influence within a traditionally state-led forum and gives forest regions across Europe the opportunity to contribute to the development of future forest policy.

– We have been working towards this over the past year and are very pleased. This is an important step for regional influence in European forest policy and a strengthening of cooperation between national and regional actors in one of Europe’s most strategic areas, says Gölin Carina Christiansen, one of the coordinators within the forest network, together with Alvaro Picardo (Spain) and Tiina Pakkari (Finland).

The Role of the Regions

Through its new position, Eriaff will now be able to participate in Forest Europe ministerial dialogues, working groups, and policy discussions. Observer status does not confer decision-making power, but it provides a valuable mandate to present regional perspectives on issues such as sustainable forest management, bioeconomy, nature restoration, and climate adaptation.

Since its establishment in 2012, Eriaff has grown rapidly and become an active platform in Europe for regional cooperation in agriculture, food, and forestry. The network serves as a bridge between local actors and EU institutions, and an increasing number of regions have recognised the need for coordination in response to the extensive forest policy initiatives driven by the EU in recent years.

Strong Regional Voices

Forest Europe plays a central role in developing common strategies and policy recommendations for sustainable forest management. With Eriaff as an observer, the platform gains an additional regional perspective across several key areas, for example:

• Practical forestry and forest management
• Bioeconomy value chains
• Rural development and innovation
• Implementation of EU legislation

This allows Forest Europe to gain a better understanding of how national strategies and EU initiatives impact the regional level, and how forestry can be balanced between climate goals, economic needs, and social conditions.

Strength for Northern Europe’s Forest Regions

For the northern and forest-rich regions of Europe, where forest constitute both an economic backbone and a pillar of society, Eriaff’s new role is to particularly significant. The member regions in northern Sweden, Norrbotten, Västerbotten, Jämtland Härjedalen, and Västernorrland, have already gained a stronger voice in the EU’s Forest and bioeconomy work through Eriaff.

Now these regions have a greater opportunity to contribute directly to Europe’s most important forest policy cooperation. This means improved information flows, greater influence and better conditions for safeguarding regional interest.

A Platform for the Future

The observer status comes at a time when Europe’s forest policy is rapidly evolving. New legislative initiatives, increased demands for nature restoration, and a stronger focus on a strategic bioeconomy are creating a need for broader expertise and more perspectives in the dialogue.

/Axel Vesterlund

Read more about ERIAFF here

Read more about Forest Europe here 

Read our previous articles (SWE) about ERIAFF here

Read another of our previous articles (SWE) about ERIAFF here