From September 23rd to 25th, 2025, the SMURF consortium came together at the Campus Educative Bordeaux, graciously hosted by our partner XYLOFUT, for its 4th General Assembly. This three-day gathering was a significant milestone for the project, uniting 22 representatives from 10 partners across Europe to assess progress, share insights, and continue crafting innovative solutions for small forest owners.
Day 1: Setting the Stage
The General Assembly kicked off with a warm welcome from Álvaro Picardo Nieto (CESEFOR), the SMURF project coordinator, alongside the XYLOFUTUR team. The opening session featured a recap of the achievements from the project’s first year. Partners also took the time to review progress across various work packages.
The day included a focused workshop on communication, dissemination, and exploitation, emphasizing the importance of maximizing the project’s impact and outreach.
Day 2: From Heritage to Practice
The second day blended cultural exploration with hands-on experience. In the morning, partners visited the Écomusée de la Truffe, where they enjoyed a guided tour that highlighted the region’s rich heritage and traditions of truffle cultivation.
In the afternoon, the consortium headed to Vaunac for a visit to a forest plot, focusing on land consolidation operations (AFAFE) in collaboration with CNPF. This visit offered valuable insights into practical approaches to sustainable forest management and encouraged exchanges with local experts.
Day 3: Reviewing Progress and Looking Ahead
The final day of the General Assembly was dedicated to discussing advancements in the remaining work packages. These sessions highlighted the significant progress made so far and reinforced the consortium’s collective commitment to delivering innovative tools and solutions for small forest owners.
A Successful Gathering
The 4th General Assembly was a resounding success, providing three days of fruitful discussions and collaboration.