SMURF project opens its first cascade funding call, offering up to €200,000 to support associations of small forest owners. The initiative aims to gather key data on forest management across Europe and foster innovation networks for a more sustainable and resilient forest sector.

SMURF was presented in Valladolid during the INNOVAForONE conference. Aiming to revitalise small-scale forest holdings, the project will connect forest stakeholders across Europe to promote innovation, sustainable management, and new business models that strengthen rural economies and preserve biodiversity.

Descripciones: PR0 – KoM: Título: Press Release SMURF Project: Kick-off Meeting in Soria Descripción The Horizon Europe project SMURF was launched in Soria to support Europe’s 20 million small forest owners. With €5.4 million in funding, SMURF will develop training, digital tools, and business models to revitalise small forests, promote closer-to-nature forestry, and boost rural economies through sustainable management and non-timber forest products.

The successful conference brought together key stakeholders from across Europe and many Forest Owners’ Associations, who attended the launch of Laurus, a European network providing training and innovation for technical staff of forest owners’ organisations. 200 international forest experts debate at FAO-Rome solutions for forest land abandonment, low profitability and forest fragmentation in the EU.