Barents Euro-Artic Region Barents Euro-Artic Region Education and Research for Regional DevelopmentEducation and Research for Regional Development

27-28 November 2012 27-28 November 2012

Barents Forest Sector Task Force- Promotion of sector changes -

Barents Forest Sector Task Force

• A subgroup of the BEAC Working Group on Economic Co-operation

• Established in May 2000

• Mission: to create necessary conditions for the development of forest sector

• Partners: The BFSTF core group consists of government representatives from the member states, i.e. forest authorities

+ Faculty of Forest Sciences, SLU

Esbjörn Andersson International co-ordinator / project leaderSLU, Faculty of Forest Sciences

Rationales of incorporating SLU in the BFSTF. Research activities (SLU Umeå)

Baltic Landscape - innovative approaches towards sustainable forested landscapes

Russian Model Forests are Associated Organizations in Baltic Landscape. The Model Forest are represented by:

• Silver Taiga Foundation, with The Komi Model Forest

• Green Forest Foundation, with The Pskov Model Forest

• Murmansk Regional NGO Kovdozersky Model Forest, with The Kovdozersky Model Forest

Research activities towards the Russian Barents region (SLU Skinnskatteberg)

• Green infrastructure's delivery of ecosystem serviceIn a series of case studies in Komi, Arkhangelsk and Karelia in Russia, Latvia, and Bergslagen and Ångermanälven catchment we focus on how the challenge of forestry intensification is handled.

• Twinning with a large municipality (Kortkeros - 19,000 sq km) in Komi with Bergslagen Model Forest and SLU.

• Sustainable Forest Management - Research and study material production. Partners: S:t Petersburg Forest Academy, Syktyvkar Forest Institute, Moscow Forest University, Pomor and Forest Universities in Archangelsk, and Ukrainian National Forestry University.

BFSTF’s Action Plan

The objective: of the Plan is to inspire action and provide a basis for promoting a competitive and environmentally sound forest sector in the Barents region.

The BFSTF’s Action Plan measures:

• Develop knowledge and facilitate access to technologies for resource conservation, protection and utilization

• Collect, disseminate and continuously update key policy information

• Consolidate and further develop multi-stakeholder national forest programs

• Strengthen mechanisms – principles, institutions and methodologies for democratic local decision making

• Make the Barents Region attractive for investments and economic growth

These five actions are key elements to develop the economic, social and ecological functions of the boreal forests.

Conclusions on BFSTF thematic areas. BFSTF meeting in Luleå, Sweden May 2011

1. Forest in the green economy1.1 Forest for bioenergy and sustainable wood supply1.2 Ecosystem services, non-wood forest products1.3 Forest entrepreneurship 1.4 A sustainable workforce - attracting, developing and retaining a qualified workforce1.5 Forest and youth1.6 Forest infrastructure

2 Forest and climate change2.1 Forest, pest and diseases2.2 Seed breeding and invasive species2.3 Monitoring and early warning systems2.4 Research and adaptation of forest management

3 Communication and information3.1 Dissemination of knowledge and practices 3.2 “Highlights” in the Barents region3.3 Website

BFSTF meeting in Oslo, Norway, Mars 2012

With no secretariat, budget or strong profile, different approaches needs to be elaborated.

=> A new approach could be to emphasize on the involvement of commercial stakeholders and to play the role as a coordinator and catalyst to other processes and partnership.

=> To provide inputs to a cross-sectoral action plan on climate change, as an opportunity to strengthen the profile and to attract financial support.

=> It was agreed that the discussion of the BFSTF documents should be continued.

=> The action plan should focus 2-3 realistic and ambitious measures with indicators.

SLU and Barents Forest Sector Task Force- Searches for a dialogue -

• Thematic issues on research for natural resources development • Measures for promotion of education for the younger generation

• Measures for strengthening the Boreal region

Thanks for your attention