The 2026 Annual Meeting and General Assembly of the OptFor-EU Project brings together researchers, forest managers, and policymakers to advance understanding of how forests respond to climate change pressures and how sustainable forest management can enhance their resilience and contribution to climate change mitigation.

The three-day hybrid event (27–29 January) will feature a comprehensive agenda, including project progress updates, stakeholder contributions, and a field visit to a local case study site in Dzūkija National Park and the Čepkeliai State Strict Nature Reserve.

The Core of the OptFor-EU Project

OptFor-EU supports the future resilience of Europe’s forests through science and innovation. By integrating existing forest datasets, satellite-based Earth observation, and newly developed Essential Forest Mitigation Indicators, the project improves understanding of how European forests sequester and store carbon, conserve biodiversity, and deliver key ecosystem services. Particular attention is given to old-growth forests, which are critical for climate regulation and the preservation of natural heritage.

At the core of the project is a Decision Support System (DSS), co-developed with forest stakeholders across Europe. This user-friendly tool enables users to assess forest management scenarios, evaluate nature-based solutions, and support science-based decision-making to strengthen forest condition and climate policy implementation.

OptFor-EU connects cutting-edge research with practical implementation, contributing to the EU’s climate objectives while promoting the sustainable management of forest resources. The outcome is a coordinated pathway toward more resilient forests and a greener, climate-neutral Europe.

Funded by the European Union Horizon Europe programme, under Grant agreement n°101060554. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.