We are thrilled to share the exciting highlights from a recent IUFRO conference held in Slovenia, where OptFORESTS made a notable appearance, unveiling insights at the crossroads of forest management and policy analysis.

Diving into the Heart of the Conference:

The IUFRO conference, themed "Deal for Green? Contribution of Managerial Economics, Accounting, and Cross-sectoral Policy Analysis to Climate Neutrality and Forest Management," took place from September 25 to 27, 2023, in the picturesque city of Ljubljana, Slovenia. Co-organized by IUFRO sub-division 4.05 "Managerial economics and accounting" and 9.05.03 "Cross-sectoral policy impacts on forests", the event brought together a dynamic scientific community of around 60 participants. Their collective focus? Exploring diverse facets of sustainable and multi-functional forest management, focusing on economic and accounting issues coupled with policy and governance issues.

OptFORESTS in the Spotlight:

Our moment in the spotlight came as we presented OptFORESTS' cutting-edge work during the conference. Titled "Forest Genetic Resources and Forest Reproductive Material at the Cross-section of Multiple Policy Domains in Europe," the presentation delved into the fascinating realm of policy analysis related to forest genetic resources (FGR) and forest reproductive material (FRM). The presentation was developed with the contribution of several Project Partners from different disciplines and backgrounds.

Mapping the European Policy Landscape in relation to FGR and FRM:

The OptFORESTS team showcased preliminary results of European policy mapping, revealing a landscape intricately woven with at least five pertinent policy domains. These findings underscore the importance of broadening our perspective beyond conventional, 'siloed' approaches in forest policy, both in research and decision-making. The presentation proposed a four-partite division of policies based on their relationship to FGR and FRM, offering a comprehensive understanding of the pivotal policies to be considered when shaping future actions.

Unlocking Potential for a Resilient Future:

Our journey doesn't stop there. The OptFORESTS team emphasised the need to identify levers for unlocking the potential of FGR and FRM, steering us towards a more resilient environment and society. By dissecting policies based on their relation to FGR and FRM, we aim to provide a roadmap for future actions not only of scientists but also of policy makers and other stakeholders, ensuring a strategic and impactful approach.

The Legacy Continues:

You can delve deeper into the details by exploring the extended abstract, now published in the conference proceedings. These invaluable insights are readily available on the Digital Repository of Slovenian Research Organizations.