SMURF

The primary goal of the SMURF (Sustainable Management models and valUe chains foR small Forests) project is to promote sustainable forest management and conserve Europe’s forests. 

The focus is on developing solutions for small forest properties, acknowledging the diversity of ownership (over 16 million owners in Europe).

The SMURF project supports the EU Forest Strategy 2030 by securing and promoting small-scale forest management for the sustainable use of wood and non-wood products. It fully respects the cascading use principle and contributes to biodiversity and climate objectives, including forest ecosystem restoration and protection.

The SMURF project, in line with EU’s Forest Strategy, helps promoting sustainable forest management and conserving Europe’s forests, by developing a set of solutions focusing on small forest properties:

(1) new tailored organizational and business models, based on Closer to Nature silviculture practices (CNS), promoting new ecosystem services (carbon farming and biodiversity) and the valorisation of wood/non-wood forest products

(2) training, digital tools and other support structures/instruments and

(3) guidelines to support policy-makers establishing regional, national and European standardized policies and retribution systems by creating a harmonized European Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) system. The project aims to provide sustainability solutions that benefit the entire forest based value chain. This includes addressing ecological concerns, promoting economic viability through wood/non-wood products, and considering the social and cultural aspects of forest management.