The problem

Policy-makers in Europe are seeking less intrusive modes of governance to achieve their policy objectives. National forest programmes have been recognised as a potential model but neither comparative analyses nor systematic evaluations of the effectiveness of these practices have been undertaken. Evaluation of new modes of governance as a means to safeguard sustainable management of European forests would pay massive dividends.

Overview:

GoFor will undertake a comprehensive review of new modes of governance potentially suitable for forest management. It will be based on case studies across ten European countries. The project will:

• Identify best practice and evaluate their suitability for transfer from one situation or location to another.
• Improve the scientific support for the development, implementation and evaluation of policies promoting sustainable forestry and rural development.

Contribution to policy development:

• The wide geographic spread of project partners and forestry case studies will provide a well-integrated synthesis of forestry-governance best practice to inform European policy-makers on the best options for
  future policies.
• GoFor will establish an expert network that will ensure that all European nations have rapid access to the best advice available on forestry governance.

Project deliverables

• Setting criteria and terms of reference – June 2006
• Report: Analysis of policy assumptions, preferences and governance practice at national and European level – January 2007
• Annual project report – January 2007/2008
• Reports: Proceedings from preliminary assessment workshop – March 2007; Terms of reference and methodology for assessing governance – May 2007; Results of empirical surveys of systems of governance – March 2008; Description of systems of governance found in case-study nations – July 2008; A synthesis of best practice and policy assumptions – January 2009
• Final report – January 2009

Dissemination

• Project website –­ ongoing
• Three project workshops will be organised involving a wide range of forestry
  stakeholders – ongoing
• Present progress and findings during the course of post-graduate seminars and
  lectures – as needed
• Significant results will be submitted for publication in international peer-review journals –
  as needed

Technical information

Project acronym: GoFor
Project’s official full title: New modes of Governance for Sustainable Forestry in Europe
Research priority: 1.1. Modernisation and sustainability of agriculture and forestry, including their multifunctional role in order to ensure the sustainable development and promotion of rural areas
Specific webpage: Details not yet available
Proposal/contract no: 006447
Start date: 1 January 2006
Kick off meeting: January
Completion date: 1 January 2009
European Commission scientific officer: Lucas Janssen (Lucas.Janssen@ec.europa.eu)

Coordinator:
Michael Pregernig (michael.pregernig@boku.ac.at)
Name: University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna
Abbreviated name: BOKU
Address: Institute of Forest, Environmental and Natural Resource Policy
Department of Economics and Social
Feistmantelstraße 4
A - 1180 Vienna
Country: Austria
Tel: + 43 1 47654 4404
Fax: + 43 1 47654 4417
Website: www.boku.ac.at

Partners

Name: Danish Centre for Forest, Landscape and Planning, Royal veterinary and Agricultural College, Hoersholm
Abbreviated name: DFL
Country: Demark

Name: French Institute of Forestry, Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Nancy
Abbreviated name: ENGREF
Country: France

Name: Georg-August University, Göttingen
Abbreviated name: GAU
Country: Germany

Name: University of West Hungary
Abbreviated name: UWH
Country: Hungary

Name: Wageningen University
Abbreviated name: WU
Country: Netherlands

Name: Mørsforsking
Abbreviated name: MFV
Country: Norway

Name: University Stefan cel Mare, Suceava
Abbreviated name: USV
Country: Romania

Name: National Agricultural Research Foundation
Abbreviated name: NAGREF
Country: Greece

Name: Forest Technology Centre of Catalonia
Abbreviated name: CTFC
Country: Spain