FoRISK holds first-ever meeting of National Focal Points to shape future action on forest risks

Santiago Alarcón on September 22, 2026

Yesterday, FoRISK reached an important milestone by holding its first online meeting of National Focal Points, bringing together official representatives from 28 signatory countries and the European Commission. This was the first time that the network’s designated national representatives met as a FoRISK community, marking a significant step in strengthening pan-European cooperation on forest risk management.

The meeting served two key objectives. First, it gave National Focal Points an opportunity to connect with each other and the FoRISK Secretariat, while gaining an overview of the programme’s governance framework, ongoing activities, and achievements since FoRISK was established in 2024. Second, and most importantly, it created a platform for countries to share their perspectives on the most pressing forest risks, current challenges, and future priorities.

A shared concern across Europe

While the specific challenges vary across regions, the discussion revealed strong common trends. Participants identified climate change and drought as the most significant drivers of risk affecting European forests today.

The exchange highlighted how forest risks are becoming increasingly interconnected. Countries shared examples of cascading effects, where drought weakens forests, increasing vulnerability to pests, diseases, and fires, while storms and other disturbances can create conditions for further damage.

At the same time, participants underlined that risks are not driven by climate factors alone. Land abandonment and changing land-use patterns were repeatedly identified as important contributors to increased vulnerability across many landscapes.

Challenges beyond science and technology

One of the most valuable outcomes of the meeting was the discussion around the gaps and challenges that countries are facing in addressing these risks.

Participants pointed to the need for stronger monitoring systems, improved early warning and preparedness mechanisms, better integration of scientific knowledge into practice, and enhanced collaboration across sectors and institutions. Several countries also highlighted the importance of raising public awareness and engaging forest owners, managers, practitioners, and local communities in adapting to new risk realities.

A recurring theme was the challenge of supporting decision-making under uncertainty. Forest managers and policymakers increasingly face difficult choices regarding forest restoration, species selection, resilience-building measures, and the management of forests affected by drought, storms, pests, or fire.

Looking ahead to 2027

The discussions also explored national priorities for the coming years. Countries emphasised the need to strengthen preparedness, improve monitoring and data collection, enhance forest resilience, support adaptive forest management, and address the growing complexity of multiple, overlapping risks.

These contributions will play an important role in informing the development of FoRISK’s future activities. Following the meeting, the Secretariat will prepare a summary of the discussions and key findings for consideration by the FoRISK Steering Committee.

Decisions on the programme’s priorities and work plan for 2027 will be taken by the Steering Committee in December, taking into account the broad range of inputs received and the strategic objectives of FoRISK.

Building a stronger network

Beyond the content-related discussions, the meeting demonstrated the value of creating a dedicated space for countries to exchange experiences, learn from each other, and identify opportunities for collaboration across Europe.

As forest risks continue to evolve in response to changing environmental, social, and economic conditions, strengthening cooperation and knowledge exchange among countries will remain a core part of FoRISK’s mission.

We would like to thank all National Focal Points and representatives who participated actively in the discussion and contributed their insights. We look forward to continuing this dialogue and working together to support more resilient forests across the pan-European region.

FoRISK and its Multi-Donor Trust Fund rules endorsed by the Steering Committee

Santiago Alarcón on April 13, 2026

FoRISK Steering Committee Meeting in Alnarp, Sweden

One year after its establishment, and with the inclusion of new participating countries, FoRISK Steering Committee (SC) has endorsed FoRISK rules, setting the general structure and functioning of its entities, and governing guidelines of FoRISK Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF). This marks a major milestone towards the long-term sustainability of this implementation mechanism of the FOREST EUROPE process, created following the adoption of the Bonn Ministerial Decision in October 2024. 

The Steering Committee currently comprises of the Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Slovakia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, and supported by three observer countries which include Bulgaria, Greece and Latvia.

The Steering Committee has endorsed the framework that guides the overall FoRISK governance structure and defines the operation of the FoRISK MDTF.  This endorsement marks the start of FoRISK’s introductory period, running until 2030, with a related Work Programme on the way.  A new phase will enter into force from 2031 onwards, giving room for continued implementation of the MDTF provisions. 

The document also provides clear and comprehensive guidelines on the roles and responsibilities of  FoRISK entities, which include: FoRISK Signatories and FoRISK Observers, respectively nominating their representative and official Focal Points.  FoRISK Experts, nominated by the Focal Points mentioned above.  The Steering Committee, including FoRISK Signatories financially contributing to the Trust Funds, and the Secretariat, comprising coordinators appointed by EFI and other EFI staff.

The document further defines how FoRISK and its entities will shape strategic orientations, activities, and collective efforts across its three focal areas: wildfires, windstorms, and biotic agents. It further establishes transparent procedures for the administration and reporting of revenues and expenditures under the Work Programme.

We invite you to read the full document, structured into three sections and thirteen articles, available here: 

Loading Viewer...

FoRISK Strategic Work Programme covering the period up to 2030 will be published shortly, together with the Operational Work Programme for 2026. More information will be available over the upcoming weeks.

We encourage you to follow FoRISK on its official communication channels and to subscribe to our annual newsletter.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

* indicates required

Intuit Mailchimp

FoRISK Kicks Off: Building a Strong Network for Forest Risk Prevention, Management and Collaboration

Santiago Alarcón on April 30, 2025

The pan-European Forest Risk Facility (FoRISK) kick-off meeting, focusing on Steering Committee formation, took place on Monday, April 28, marking a significant milestone in the establishment of this innovative network. During the meeting, key steps were approved to form the governing bodies, define relationships with FOREST EUROPE signatories and observers, and outline the initial work program giving a strategic direction of the Facility.

The Steering Committee (SC), currently featuring representatives from Germany, Slovakia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Luxembourg and Czechia, besides the participation of potential SC member countries like Bulgaria, Switzerland, and Greece, entered an open discussion and discussed the way forward with the FoRISK Secretariat. They also touched base on the progress on collaborations with expert networks, including the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague on biotic hazards in forests and the Baden-Württemberg Forest Research Institute on windstorms.

A notable highlight was the dynamic wind-blow strategy for Ireland, initiated by Minister Haely-Rae and supported by the Rapid Response team of the FoRISK Facility. This strategy is already in motion, demonstrating FoRISK’s proactive approach to addressing forest challenges. A follow-up workshop is scheduled for early May, providing further insights and updates (more info here).

With the first events, collaborations, and communication strategies in the planning stages, FoRISK has officially launched, setting the stage for a productive first year. The facility aims to sustain a stable collaboration network, focusing on three focal areas, such as windstorm, wildfire and biotic agents, to drive research, transboundary collaboration and innovation towards resilient forests.

Stay tuned for more updates as FoRISK continues to grow and make strides in international forest risk management cooperation.

FoRISK begins its work with approved working modalities framework

EFI on January 15, 2025

“FoRISK aim to be a reliable knowledge hub fostering cooperation in disaster risk management. We need your visions, experiences and support in reaching it jointly for more resilient forests and forest sectors.” Silvia Abruscato, Coordinator of the Forest Risk Facility (FoRISK)

The endorsement of the Bonn Ministerial Decision by the FOREST EUROPE Ministers at the 9th FOREST EUROPE Ministerial Conference marked the beginning of the Forest Risk Facility (FoRISK), hosted by the European Forest Institute, Bonn. Three months into its establishment, the Secretariat is working towards making FoRISK a key platform for knowledge exchange as well as sharing science-based information and promoting cross-sectoral networking among regional, national and international actors. These aims will be achieved through working with FOREST EUROPE’s signatories across the pan-European borders, practitioners and experts to address issues like droughts and wildfires, storms and pests & diseases.

The FoRISK working modalities framework developed over the last months was approved at the recently concluded Expert Level Meeting (ELM) on April 3, giving the formal green light to the Facility. The top priorities for the FoRISK Secretariat include the development of FoRISK governance rules in detail, as well as the work programme development and engagement with other relevant actors. These activities will be further discussed in the upcoming first kick-off meeting for the Steering Committee, which will be held on 28.04.2025 from 13:00-15:00 (CET) in a hybrid format. FoRISK Coordinator, Ms. Silvia Abruscato, invited members to provide financial support and in-kind contributions to ensure inclusion and the successful work of the Secretariat through a greater impact. The outcomes of the discussions at the kick-off meeting will be shared with all.

Stay tuned to get fresh information about the first activities of the FoRISK after our kick-off meeting at the end of the month.