EUSTAFOR and Coillte Celebrate Two Decades of being a voice for State Forests in the European Union  

20 YEARS OF WORK FOR STATE FOREST MANAGEMENT ORGANISATIONS IN EUROPE

 

EUSTAFOR AND COILLTE CELEBRATE TWO DECADES OF BEING A VOICE OF PUBLIC FOREST IN THE EU

 

 

In 2026, the European State Forest Association (EUSTAFOR) marks 20 years of cooperation among Europe’s state forest management organisations, celebrating two decades of being a voice of public forest stewardship at the heart of EU policymaking.

 

Founded in 2006, EUSTAFOR brings together state forest management organisations responsible for the sustainable management of one third of Europe’s forests. Over the past 20 years, EUSTAFOR and its members have played a central role in translating EU and international forest-related commitments into practice, encompassing biodiversity conservation, climate action, sustainable wood supply, recreation, and social services.

 

To commemorate this milestone, EUSTAFOR will roll out a series of anniversary actions throughout 2026 and will present its New Strategy for 2026+. The anniversary programme has a dual objective: to increase EUSTAFOR’s visibility at EU institutions, among Brussels stakeholders and at the pan-European context, as well as  to reinforce association’s political messages on the essential role of sustainable state forests management in delivering environmental, economic and social benefits.

 

“Europe’s forests are key to the green transition, the bioeconomy and resilient rural areas. For 20 years, EUSTAFOR has worked to ensure that EU policies are grounded in practical forest management realities. This anniversary is both a moment of reflection and a call to look ahead.” said Juha Niemelä, President of EUSTAFOR

 

A year-long programme in Brussels

 

Key anniversary actions include:

• A renewed visual identity, including a dedicated 20-year anniversary logo, rolled out across EUSTAFOR publications and communication materials.
• A new public-oriented EUSTAFOR website, designed as a reference hub for forest and forestry information, improving accessibility, transparency and digital visibility for policymakers, stakeholders and the wider public.
• A wood-based public installation in Brussels, developed in cooperation with the Municipality of Schaerbeek. EUSTAFOR will co-finance inclusive wooden tables made from certified European wood for a newly renovated public park, highlighting the social value of wood products and public forest management for society.
• A public pop-up event at Place du Luxembourg on the 19th of March 2026, ahead of the International Day of Forests, offering direct engagement with citizens, MEPs and passers-by through information materials and forest-related products from EUSTAFOR members.

 

COILLTE in EUSTAFOR

Since 2006, Coillte has been an integral part of EUSTAFOR, where it contributes to the formulation of opinions and steers the current European forestry policies impacting Ireland. Through its presence on the EUSTAFOR’s different working groups, and information exchanges, Coillte and EUSTAFOR work to:

 

• Promote sustainable forest management of State Owend Forests: dedicated to ensuring economically, socially, culturally, and ecologically responsible forest management, including sustainable wood production.
• Positively influence EU forest policies: acting as the voice of state forests at the European level, providing practical knowledge and experience to influence forest-related policy decisions (European Parliament, European Council, European Commission).
• Support the bioeconomy and circular economy and the fight against climate change: viewing forest management as a key element for the bioeconomy, climate change mitigation, and biodiversity conservation in forests.
• Facilitate knowledge exchange: promoting the sharing of expertise and experiences among its members.

 

EUSTAFOR 20 Years Anniversary Conference

 

EUSTAFOR is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and the anniversary will culminate in a high-level policy conference and reception on 16 April 2026 in Brussels, held back-to-back with EUSTAFOR’s General Assembly under the title “Growing Together – 20 Years of EUSTAFOR”.

 

The half-day event will bring together representatives of the European Commission, European Parliament, Member States, forest-based industries, NGOs, research organisations and EUSTAFOR members. Structured around two thematic blocks — Looking Back and Looking Ahead — the conference will review two decades of EU forest-related policies, reflect on lessons learned, and explore future pathways toward resilient European forests up to 2050.

 

The event will also serve as the official presentation of EUSTAFOR’s new strategy, setting out the association’s priorities in an evolving EU policy landscape. A field visit to the Sonian Forest will follow the conference, showcasing sustainable forest management in practice.

Through its 20-year anniversary programme, EUSTAFOR aims to reaffirm the role of long-term, public forest stewardship as a cornerstone of EU climate, biodiversity and bioeconomy objectives, while strengthening dialogue between policymakers, forest managers and society.

 

 

About EUSTAFOR

EUSTAFOR represents Europe’s state forest management organisations, responsible for the sustainable management of publicly owned forests across the EU. Its members combine environmental protection, economic activity and social services, ensuring multifunctional forests for present and future generations.

For more information, please visit: www.eustafor.eu

 

About Coillte 

Coillte, Ireland’s semi-state forestry company, is responsible for managing 440,000 hectares of primarily forested lands. It is the nation’s largest forester and producer of certified wood, a natural, renewable, and sustainable resource. Coillte is also the largest provider of outdoor recreation in Ireland, it enables wind-energy on the estate, manufactures panel-board wood products and undertakes nature rehabilitation projects of scale. Coillte delivers the multiple benefits of forestry, including forests for climate, nature, wood and people.

Coillte’s new forestry strategic vision is designed to optimise its contribution to Ireland’s climate targets. Among other things, the aim of this strategic vision is to create new forests and optimise Coillte’s existing forests for greater carbon capture, producing sustainable wood products, enhancing biodiversity, creating more incredible recreational spaces for the enjoyment of our citizens and tourists. For further information visit www.coillte.ie.

 

 

 

Eustafor contact:

Josep Milà-Puigdomènech
Policy and Communications Officer
josep.mila@eustafor.eu | +32 (0) 22392300