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Foundation for European Forest Research

General information

The aims of the Foundation are to:

• grant financial aid to international forestry and environmental researchers
• administer the premises of the European Forest Institute in Joensuu, Finland

Forests cover over 30 % of the European land area and provide a wide range of goods and services for society, from nature values to recreation and from berries to sawn-wood and paper. Our welfare depends on the sustainable production of goods and services that forests provide. There are more than 15 million forest owners in Europe getting at least part of their income from the forest, and millions of other people employed in forestry and forest industries. A far greater number utilise tangible and non-tangible forest products every day.

European countries have varying values in using their forest resources; however, many problems related to the future of the forests are shared. Climate change, pollution, or the challenges of the international timber trade do not recognise borders.

High-quality research provides a sound basis for decisions on our future environment. Questions related to forests and environment are more and more solved by international agreements. European research co-operation is needed to support the decision-making on the future of the forests.

Key issues

• Sustainable development of forest environment: maintaining biodiversity and ecosystems for future generations
• The economic value of forests: sustainable production of timber and other forest products, e.g. berries
• The role of forests in providing work opportunities and welfare in rural areas
• Wood as a source of energy
• Forests and climate change: the role of forests as carbon sinks mitigating the greenhouse effect
• The recreational and cultural values of forests

The Foundation for European Forest Research was established in 1997 to support these challenges.

The Foundation for European Forest Research
promotes European forestry and environmental research
and supports international forestry and environmental researchers.

The Foundation is a non-profit making organisation which does not operate as a business.
It is entitled to receive donations and wills and it is possible to establish special funds within it.

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