Strengthening forest research for the support of Ukraine

This destination will support the EU Commission priorities ‘Sustaining our quality of life: food security, water and nature’ and ‘A new plan for Europe’s sustainable prosperity and competitiveness’.

The destination supports the EU Green Deal^[1] and contributes to Europe’s competitiveness and sustainable prosperity by supporting the development of a more resilient circular economy in line with the EU Competitiveness Compass^[2], the announced EU Clean Industrial Deal^[3] and the EU Circular Economy Act.

It aims to increase market demand for secondary materials and establish a single market for waste, whilst enhancing Europe’s efforts to develop a single market for sustainable products. It will also support the implementation of the framework conditions set by the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy.

Furthermore, the destination aims to facilitate the emergence and uptake of innovative, circular and bio-based materials, products, processes and value chains that play a key role for the defossilisation (reduction of feedstocks of fossil origin), climate neutrality and strategic autonomy of our economy, in line with the new EU bioeconomy strategy as well as with the New European Bauhaus.

In addition, this destination supports several key EU policies including the industrial strategy, the European Chemicals Industry Action Plan^[4] and the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation^[5] and its working plan.

It also contributes to the EU Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Initiative, the SME strategy, the communication on safe and sustainable by design framework, the sustainable blue economy, the European Ocean Pact^[6], the European Water Resilience Strategy^[7], the European Life Sciences Strategy, the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030, and the Nature Restoration Regulation.

Further support extends to the CAP, the EU forest strategy for 2030, the proposal for a Regulation on a forest monitoring framework, the EU proposal for a directive on soil monitoring and resilience, and the Vision for Agriculture and Food.

The destination supports unlocking the unique assets for research and innovation of the EU outermost regions, in line with the EU strategy for outermost regions^[8].

Legal entities established in China are not eligible to participate in both Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) and Innovation Actions (IAs) falling under this destination. For additional information please see “Restrictions on the participation of legal entities established in China” found in General Annex B of the General Annexes.

Expected impact: Proposals for topics under this destination should set out a credible pathway contributing to “achieving healthy soils and forests, as well as clean air, fresh and marine water, whilst ensuring water resilience and the transition to a clean, competitive and circular economy and sustainable bioeconomy”, and more specifically to one or more of the following expected impacts:

• Improved climate change adaptation and mitigation through the transition to a more sustainable and circular economy and bioeconomy, underpinned by biotechnologies and sustainable industrial solutions, such as carbon capture and utilisation and recovery of materials, water and energy.
• Industrial competitiveness, sustainability and strategic autonomy are improved through the development of safe, sustainable, circular and/or bio-based value chains. This is done by promoting the efficient and circular use of secondary materials and water, fostering the multi-functionality of forests, and ensuring the sustainable supply of critical resources from land and sea.
• Living conditions for individuals and communities are improved through innovative, affordable and sustainable safe and sustainable by design products and services based on circular and/or bio-based solutions while demonstrating a reduction of environmental and climate pressures.
• Advanced societal transformation based on a systemic approach, as well as people’s involvement and integration of social sciences and humanities for fair, safe, sustainable and circular value chains, sustainable consumption patterns, environmental justice, gender equality and social inclusion.

[1] The European Green Deal - European Commission

[2] https://commission.europa.eu/topics/eu-competitiveness/competitiveness-compass_en

[3] Clean Industrial Deal - European Commission

[4] European Chemicals Industry Action Plan – European Commission

[5] Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation – European Commission

[6] The European Ocean Pact - European Commission

[7] Water resilience strategy - European Commission

[8] COM(2022) Putting people first, securing sustainable and inclusive growth, unlocking the potential of the EU’s outermost regions.

Expected Outcome:

Successful proposals should support the recovery, resilience, and EU integration of Ukraine’s forest sector, addressing the compounded impacts of climate change and Russia’s war of aggression.

Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Ukrainian decision-makers and policymakers gain access to robust scientific data, tools, and methodologies for developing and implementing evidence-based policies that are aligned with EU forest-related policies;
• recovery, restoration, sustainable management and development of Ukraine’s war-affected forests through improved governance, enhanced institutional capacity, and the implementation of sustainable forest management practices that address the impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss and Russian invasion;
• strengthened Ukrainian forest research and education systems, providing a solid evidence basis for forestry policy development, supporting students and educators, and promoting innovation in forest science;
• expanded national and international cooperation and the development of a national forest monitoring system, enabling knowledge exchange and global cooperation in sustainable forestry;
• accelerated alignment of Ukraine’s forest governance, legislation, and technical standards with EU acquis communautaire, reinforcing its path toward EU accession and long-term convergence with European environmental (including biodiversity) and climate goals.

Scope:

To address the pressing challenges posed by climate change, biodiversity loss and Russia's war against Ukraine, significant advancements in forest science, education, and international collaboration are essential. The war has caused severe damage to Ukraine’s forests, exacerbated institutional and capacity issues in forestry governance and research and innovation, and highlighted the need for capacity building and knowledge exchange. Another key priority for the coming years will be the full digitalisation of Ukraine’s forest cadastre to establish a reliable, transparent, and accessible system for forest governance and scientific research.

Proposals should develop innovative research, policy, and capacity-building actions that contribute to the post-war recovery and sustainable transformation of Ukraine’s forest sector. Proposals should explore diverse approaches and methods but should clearly address Ukraine’s unique context. Anticipated Ukrainian stakeholders to be involved include local and regional authorities, national ministries and public agencies, academic and research institutions, forest owners and managers, local communities, civil society organizations, NGOs, forest industry representatives, and educational institutions. The action under this topic is relevant to EU policies related to the recovery and sustainable management of forests, including the EU forest strategy for 2030, the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030, the European Green Deal, the EU climate adaptation strategy, and the Nature Restoration Regulation.

Proposals should:

• strengthen Ukrainian forest research systems and their integration into policy by expanding data collection, enhancing stakeholder engagement, and providing scientific support to equip decision-makers with evidence for policy development and implementation;
• enhance international collaboration and forest science diplomacy in the context of Ukraine’s recovery, by building partnerships for sustainable forest management, support the digitalisation of Ukraine’s forest cadastre to enable transparent, accurate, and accessible forest data and establish a comprehensive, continuous forest monitoring system, aligned with EU and global policies;
• strengthen Ukrainian institutional and governance capacity by improving frameworks and research institutions to ensure the long-term resilience and effectiveness of sustainable forest management practices;
• promote innovation in Ukrainian forest education and training by modernizing curricula, supporting student mobility and international research collaboration, and developing lifelong learning programmes for forestry professionals;
• contribute to the alignment of Ukrainian forestry-related legislation, inspection systems, and standards with EU legislation as a core component of the EU accession and integration process.