On 3-5 June 2025, a thematic LIFE Platform Meeting on European forest restoration took place in Brasov, Romania. The LIFE Adapt Brdy project was among more than thirty projects that presented their activities, shared experiences and discussed the future of forest management in Europe.
The opening day was marked by plenary lectures and discussions with experts from the European Commission, research institutions and the non-profit sector. For example, Marco Onida from Directorate-General for the Environment (DG ENV) presented the new EU Forest Strategy 2030 and its biodiversity and climate objectives. Gonzalo Gonzales Jurado (DG ENV) talked about the legislative challenges and opportunities for European forest restoration. CINEA representatives Simona Bacchereti and Boyana Vasileva highlighted the benefits of LIFE for nature conservation and climate change adaptation. The panel discussion was enriched by Barbara and Christoph Promberger, founders of the Conservation Carpathia Foundation, who shared their experience in restoring forest ecosystems in the Romanian Southern Carpathians.
The second day was devoted to presentations of specific projects (33 LIFE, 3 Horizon, 1 Interreg). The topics ranged from forestry and grazing systems to natural forest regeneration and building resilience to climate change. The LIFE Adapt Brdy project presented its activities aimed at adapting Brdy forests to changing climate conditions in a poster session.
The final day was devoted to a field trip that took participants to the Farkas mountains. There was also a visit to the Beaver House Visitor Centre. This interactive visitor centre of the Beaver House Visitor Centre introduces the natural wealth of the Southern Carpathians and presents projects for the restoration of the local wilderness.
The meeting was a valuable opportunity to exchange experiences, establish new contacts and inspire further development of European cooperation in the field of forestry.
