Forest experts from the region gather in Sarajevo to drive sustainability of forest value chains forward

For two days, over 40 forestry experts, distinguished academia members, representatives of institutions and nongovernment organizations, as well as other professionals gathered to discuss the importance of FSC certification for the Adria Balkan region.
 

The regional event offered a variety of panel discussions as well as insightful presentations giving valuable forest managements perspectives, and insights into the FSC structure with future solutions for certificate holders, as well as practical workshops focused on the importance of FSC certification in the region.
 

The meeting kicked off with a lecture by Davide Pettenella, a professor from Padova University, on the historic and present role of the Adria - Balkan region in the European timber market. It was followed by round tables with members of institutions from the region on the role of national forests in the present and the future. The day closed with  a discussion on the importance of the FSC presence in the region for more than 25 years.  
 

Marketing, communications and media engagement for certified companies in the region took the center stage on the second day. To make it practical, the session started with a panel discussion with journalists who shared their experiences on how to tell powerful stories and engage audiences in meaningful stories on forestry.
 

The National representative of the Adria-Balkan region, Diego Florian says that for the third year in a row, the most relevant FSC certified Forest Managers have shown interest to remain updated on FSC tools, standards' and new marketing and communication assets.
 

The meeting was an opportunity to acknowledge and honor commitment to FSC in the region. Twelve of the most long-lasting FSC international members and most committed supporters and ambassadors received Excellence Awards. WWF Adria have been acknowledged for its role of promoter and supporter to FSC certification processed in Croatia and Bosnia and Hеrzegovina.  
 

”This year we extended the range of stakeholders to pursue the fundamental objective of FSC to guarantee an open, balanced dialogue equally valuing social, environmental and economic perspectives. We finally wanted also to celebrate the most long-lasting certifications in the region - with Hrvatske šume and Sarajevo-šume having respectively 24 and 20 years of continuous certification”, adds Florian.

The event is growing in importance each year thanks to the increasing number of stakeholders that are joining the initiative. On the last day Sarajevo-šume and the Cantonal Public Institution for Protected Natural Areas of Sarajevo Canton organized a field trip to the FSC certified conservation area - Skakavac Nature Monument. Participants learned about forest management practices aiming at preserving the enormous biodiversity hosted by that forest and protected in the framework of FSC High Conversation Values.