FoRISK holds first In-Person Steering Committee Meeting in Stockholm
On 23 September 2025, FoRISK held its first in-person Steering Committee meeting in Stockholm, marking a pivotal moment in the initiative’s journey and trust building among its members. Representatives from all seven Steering Committee member countries gathered to align on governance, strategic priorities, and the next steps for FoRISK’s and its network development.
The session opened with a warm welcome from the FoRISK Secretariat coordinator, Silvia Abruscato, followed by a round of introductions and adoption of the agenda.
The Secretariat presented an overview of progress since the last meeting in April and entered into an open and transparent exchange on the preliminary FoRISK Work Programme and the FoRISK and Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) rules.
Members were also briefed on ongoing activities, such as
- the FoRISK training on Integrated Wildfire Risk Management hosted in Iceland, in collaboration with the World Bank Group focusing on outdoor and indoor programme developed by FoRISK experts on various topics revolving around fire suppression and prevent tactics.
- the new project with the Federal Office of Environment (FOEN) Switzerland, focusing on preventive silviculture and fuel management at the national and international level, foreseen the development of facts sheet and launching of the FoRISK wildfire experts’ group in 2026
The fruitful meeting concluded with clear direction on the development of such crucial documents in joint collaboration to ensure a high-level of inclusivity and countries ownership, announcing a broader meeting with all FoRISK National Focal Point early next year.
FoRISK Secretariat extends its appreciation to the representatives from the Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom for their active participation and continued commitment to the Steering Committee, as well as to the representative from Bulgaria for their support. Their engagement reflects the strength of pan-European collaboration, which is at the heart of FoRISK’s mission. FoRISK welcomes more countries to join such activity as Steering Committee and long-term joinery to shape FoRISK’s mission and upcoming actions.
Special thanks also go to the Swedish Ministry of Agriculture hosting such event in their facilities
As FoRISK network continues to grow, this meeting underscored the collective commitment to building a resilient and responsive structure that can support pan-Europe’s forests in the face of increasing disturbance risks. From wildfires and windstorms to biotic threats, FoRISK is laying the groundwork for coordinated action and knowledge exchange across borders.
Stay tuned for more updates!