Healthy Forest Regions: Supporting Healthy Forest ecosystems for human well-being in forest Regions

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Central Europe

Date of latest update: 2025-10-08

Description

Description (EN):

The project tackles the CE-wide challenge of declining forest ecosystem functionality and the loss of biodiversity, resulting from unsustainable forest management practices, intensified by negative impacts from accelerating climate change, both affecting forest ecosystem services (ES) provision for human well-being and territorial resilience. Therefore, the project has the objective to create commitment of policy- and decision- makers and enable key stakeholders to safeguard forest ecosystem functionality, for enhancing biodiversity conservation and securing the provision of forest-based ES with further positive effects for sustainable regional development. To achieve this, the project will operationalize the potential for capitalizing on forest ES for local and regional benefits and develop/pilot innovative solutions for a transition to ecosystem-based forest management. The project’s outputs include strategies for communicating the value of healthy, functional forests and their ES contributing to human health and well-being, and further strategies and action plans for prioritization of regional ES to safeguard forest ecosystem functionality. A set of jointly/transnationally developed pilot actions leads to the territorial implementation of solutions for the integration of knowledge through educational work and realising regional added value for local stakeholders from different sectors. Furthermore, concrete concepts and tools for marketing forest ES are operationalized for the creation of alternative income generation from forests. In this context the project creates commitment of policy- and decision-makers for cooperation and knowledge-exchange with regard to safeguarding forest ecosystem functionality. The project operationalizes the concept of Healthy Forest Regions (HFR) in different regional contexts, where institutional and public commitment and awareness for safeguarding forest ecosystems is territorially integrated on the local and regional level.

Actual Achievements (EN):

The cornerstone of the project has been securely put in place with the finalization of subsidy contracts and partnership agreements. A robust project management structure has been established, encompassing budget monitoring tools, internal evaluation processes, risk management plans, and a detailed implementation roadmap. These structures empower the Project Management Unit (PMU) and partnership to maintain clarity, swiftly address deviations, mitigate risks, and explore optimal solutions. An internal communication plan has been implemented, complete with a structured meeting schedule, communication and visualization tools, and a shared data storage and project work platform. This ensures seamless cooperation within the partnership, granting all members access to the most up-to-date documents. Regular meetings foster collaborative exchanges between work packages, enabling adaptive management. Effective management and team structures were established by all partners, ensuring smooth project operations. Joint implementation planning was diligently carried out, fostering collaboration across the partnership. All Partners successfully delineated their project areas, providing clarity for project activities. Additionally, each partner presented the project to relevant local stakeholders, creating awareness and fostering local engagement. Stakeholder mapping and the establishment of comprehensive stakeholder databases were also effectively completed by all partners, facilitating effective engagement and communication throughout the project. Communication activities were initiated with a series of strategic steps. These included the thorough analysis and mapping of stakeholders in the different Project Regions but also overall on the Project level. Leading to the creation of comprehensive engagement and monitoring plans. Target group-specific communication measures were implemented to ensure tailored approaches. A robust project communication plan was established, seamlessly integrating partner-specific plans. Active engagement with Stakeholders at various levels and Presentation of Project Objectives to foster a deeper collaboration. In Work Package 1, key activities such as the "international online workshop on the interpretation of forest ecosystem services" were successfully implemented. Planning steps for the establishment of the "Forest Classrooms", and the implementation of nature therapy and recreation offers were initiated. Coordination efforts were undertaken across the partnership, optimizing cooperation across work packages and generating synergies, particularly with WP3 due to overlapping contents. Regular meetings were held to evaluate work plan progress and plan upcoming steps. A joint "Interpretation Plan for Healthy Forest Regions" was initiated through participatory processes, engaging relevant stakeholders. Within Thematic Work package 2 the project team actively engaged in the improvement and adaptation of the implementation plan, fostering intensive exchanges within the work package. This cooperative approach extended to interactions with other work packages, particularly WP3, enhancing the methodology and uncovering synergies. The primary activity, A.2.1 "Mapping and assessing the current state of forest-based ES," was the central focus. The team conducted comprehensive literature research on Ecosystem Services and data collection related to biodiversity, recreational and tourism infrastructure, and natural hazard risks. They prepared questionnaires, organized existing data, and generated initial maps showcasing Ecosystem Service distribution within the project area. Remarkably, work on D.2.1.1 "Definition of ES-criteria and indicators" is nearly complete for one region, with results expected later this year. This active engagement significantly added value to the work package and advanced the project's broader goals and objectives. Within Thematic Work Package 3, significant strides have been taken. A comprehensive analysis concept for "D.3.1.1 - Practical Assessment of Forest Ecosystem Functionality and Vulnerability in Project Regions" has been developed. This pioneering approach introduces the integration of Google Earth Engine. The definition of four robust indicators to monitor and evaluate forest ecosystem functionality is underway. A web-based interface for visualizing forest land cover information across healthy forest regions is now available. Progress has also been made in activities 3.2.1 and 3.2.2, focusing on analysis and preparation. The project has made substantial progress across its various work packages, laying the groundwork for achieving the overarching goals. A solid project management structure has been established, stakeholders have been engaged, and activities across WP1 and WP3 have advanced. The collaborative efforts continue to promote Healthy Forest Regions and enhance forest ecosystem functionality. How can the value of healthy forests be acknowledged in educational work? How do people benefit from the forest in a broad perspective? And what needs to be done on an administrative and forestry level to maintain and increase the health of regional forests? One third of the project lifespan is over, and significant steps have been taken to answer these questions. Work Package 1 has finalized its first major international online workshop and a range of regional workshops. These workshops are foreseen as the basis for an upcoming series of regional forest guiding courses. The municipality of Kočevje initiated the concept of a Learning Landscape, and in Angermünde, the realization of three different nature classrooms, called the “3 sisters,” has started – one in the forest, one in the field, and another in the bog. In addition to that, the first regional education packages have been cooperatively developed and successfully distributed among teachers. In the framework of Work Package 2, the first regional matrix has been completed, mapping the diverse benefits that the regional population in Austria draws from the forest (the so-called ecosystem services) and the value they hold for different actors. The same matrix approach will also be used by the partners in Slovenia and Slovakia, which can be seen as an added value of the international cooperation and network. As part of Work Package 3, three major achievements have been reached: First, a Healthy-Forest-Index has been developed and applied to the different partner regions. Based on satellite imagery, this index helps all project regions determine and analyze the health status of their forested areas. Second, a broad public survey has been created, combining the expertise of two universities and the Slovenian Forest Service. Once cooperatively developed in English, the survey has now been translated into five different languages and is spread in the project regions. Third, the overall question of what a Healthy Forest Region is and does has been further clarified by developing a common working definition. How can the value of healthy forests be acknowledged in educational work? How do people benefit from the forest in a broad perspective? What needs to be done on an administrative and forestry level to maintain and increase the health of regional forests? We look back on the successes achieved in the second year of the HealthyForestRegions project. In Work Package 1, the finalisation of an Interpretation Plan for ‘healthy forest regions’ advanced one important project goal: communicating the value of healthy, functional forests for human health and well-being. The involved partners from Germany, Croatia, Slovenia and the Czech Republic worked collaboratively on its development, which incorporated findings from regional workshops and training sessions for forest-related education actors organized within the project. The combined efforts enabled the completion of Output 1.1, thus achieving a major milestone. In Activity 1.2, pilot actions were successfully implemented to promote the ‘dissemination and integration of knowledge about contributions of healthy forest ecosystems to human well-being in educational work’. The meetings and workshops organised as part of Work Package 2 encourage decision-makers in the involved regions to take into account the Ecosystem Services (ES) provided by forests when managing this habitat. By mapping and assessing the current state of forest-based ES, the three participating partners in Austria, Slovenia and Slovakia have engaged relevant stakeholders in their regional networks and laid the foundation for further research and testing of new forest management approaches. In Work Package 3 the analyses of the socio-ecological conditions including the health of forest ecosystems and the role of forest ecosystem services for regional human well-being as well as of the institutional and administrative frameworks have been finalised for all project regions.

Project outputs: Interpretation plan for Healthy Forest Regions(EN)
Implementation of pilot actions to disseminate and integrate knowledge about forest ecosystem services into educational work(EN)
Implementation of pilot actions to test options for the creation of regional added value for local stakeholders through generating alternative income-sources in order to catalyse regional development
(EN)
Solutions for the integration of knowledge about and awareness for the values of healthy forest ecosystems for human health and well-being through educational work.(EN)
Solutions for the creation of regional benefits for local and regional actors(EN)
Regional strategies and action plans for prioritisation of ecosystem services in Healthy Forest Regions(EN)
Development and implementation of pilot actions for safeguarding, quantifying and marketing forest ecosystem services(EN)
Development of concepts and tools for marketing forest ecosystem services as solutions for regional development(EN)
General strategy to safeguard forest ecosystem functionality for humal well-being in Healthy Forest Regions(EN)
Set of regional strategies and action plans to implement strategic measures to safeguard forest ecosystem functionality for human health and well-being in selected Healthy Forest Regions.(EN)
Replicable cooperation approach encompassing all involved Project and Associated partners in Healthy Forest Regions(EN)
Website: https://www.interreg-central.eu/projects/healthyforestregions/

Thematic information

Sustainable management of natural resources Agriculture and fisheries and forestry

Priority: (VI-B_CE_2) Cooperating for a greener central Europe

Priority specific objective: RSO2.7. Enhancing protection and preservation of nature, biodiversity and green infrastructure, including in urban areas, and reducing all forms of pollution

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO2 A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility

Type of intervention: 079 Nature and biodiversity protection, natural heritage and resources, green and blue infrastructure

Partners (9)

Lead Partner: Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde

Partner’s ID if not PIC: DE812207899

Department: Faculty of Forest and Environment, Centre for Econics and Ecosystem Management, Centre for Econics and Ecosystem Management

Address: Schicklerstrasse, 16225 Eberswalde, Germany

Department address: Schicklerstrasse, 16225 Eberswalde, Germany

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.hnee.de

Total budget: EUR 600 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 480 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 120 000.00

Contractors:

Name: BDO AG Wirtschaftsprüfungsge
VAT registration or tax identification number: DE 11 85 14 042

Občina Kočevje

Name: Občina Kočevje

Partner’s ID if not PIC: SI20945892

Address: Ljubljanska cesta, 1330 Kočevje, Slovenia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://www.kocevje.si/Home?lang=en

Total budget: EUR 168 120.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 134 496.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 33 624.00

Contractors:

Name: KOMPA d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 8627827000

Javna ustanova Nacionalni park Paklenica

Name: Javna ustanova Nacionalni park Paklenica

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 936214610

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HR24913665146

Address: Dr. F. Tuđmana, 23244 Starigrad-Paklenica, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: National public authority

Website: http://www.np-paklenica.hr

Total budget: EUR 206 400.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 165 120.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 41 280.00

Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze

Name: Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze

Department: Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences (FFWS)

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999912570

Partner’s ID if not PIC: CZ60460709

Address: Kamýcká, 165 00 Praha, Czech Republic

Department address: Kamýcká, 165 00 Praha, Czech Republic

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.fld.czu.cz/en

Total budget: EUR 100 040.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 80 032.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 20 008.00

MAS Frýdlantsko, z.s.

Name: MAS Frýdlantsko, z.s.

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 26982773 | Entry in the public register kept by the Regional court Usti nad Labem: L 5252 (EN)

Address: Děkanská, 464 01 Frýdlant, Czech Republic

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://www.masif.cz/

Total budget: EUR 169 559.80

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 135 647.84

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 33 911.96

Stadtverwaltung Angermuende

Name: Stadtverwaltung Angermuende

Partner’s ID if not PIC: DE139043961

Address: Rathaus - Markt, 16278 Angermuende, Germany

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.angermuende.de

Total budget: EUR 191 018.40

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 152 814.72

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 38 203.68

Contractors:

Name: accura audit GmbH
VAT registration or tax identification number: DE815572770

Zavod za gozdove Slovenije

Name: Zavod za gozdove Slovenije

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 951192477

Partner’s ID if not PIC: SI91496080

Address: Večna Pot, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: National public authority

Website: http://www.zgs.si

Total budget: EUR 538 710.80

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 430 968.64

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 107 742.16

Contractors:

Name: Flycom Technologies d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: SI21951527

Národné lesnícke centrum

Name: Národné lesnícke centrum

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 998675238

Partner’s ID if not PIC: SK2022091027

Address: T.G. Masaryka, 960 01 Zvolen, Slovakia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://web.nlcsk.org

Total budget: EUR 339 159.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 271 327.20

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 67 831.80

Natur- und Geopark Steirische Eisenwurzen GmbH

Name: Natur- und Geopark Steirische Eisenwurzen GmbH

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 910391561

Partner’s ID if not PIC: ATU74095819

Address: Markt, 8933 Sankt Gallen, Austria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Sectoral agency

Website: http://www.eisenwurzen.com

Total budget: EUR 469 704.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 375 763.20

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 93 940.80

Contractors:

Name: E.C.O. Institut für Ökologie
VAT registration or tax identification number: ATU 53268707
Name: Buchhaltungsagentur des Bundes
VAT registration or tax identification number: ATU57953646
Name: Pilum digital GmbH
VAT registration or tax identification number: ATU75011979
Name: Umweltdata Ges.m.b.H.
VAT registration or tax identification number: ATU16101304
Name: Flycom
VAT registration or tax identification number: SI21951527
Name: Nationalpark Gesäuse GmbH
VAT registration or tax identification number: ATU55769804
Name: Most Media
VAT registration or tax identification number: ATU69965326
Name: Etifor S.r.l. Società Benefit
VAT registration or tax identification number: 04570440281
Name: AVT AirborneSensingAustriaGmbH
VAT registration or tax identification number: ATU68717515

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Kočevje

Healthy Forest Regions: Supporting Healthy Forest ecosystems for human well-being in forest Regions

Partners and Projects info

Public Institution Paklenica National Park

Healthy Forest Regions: Supporting Healthy Forest ecosystems for human well-being in forest Regions

Partners and Projects info

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Healthy Forest Regions: Supporting Healthy Forest ecosystems for human well-being in forest Regions

Partners and Projects info

LAG Frydlantsko

Healthy Forest Regions: Supporting Healthy Forest ecosystems for human well-being in forest Regions

Partners and Projects info

Angermuende City Administration

Healthy Forest Regions: Supporting Healthy Forest ecosystems for human well-being in forest Regions

Partners and Projects info

Slovenia Forest Service

Healthy Forest Regions: Supporting Healthy Forest ecosystems for human well-being in forest Regions

Partners and Projects info

National Forest Centre

Healthy Forest Regions: Supporting Healthy Forest ecosystems for human well-being in forest Regions

Partners and Projects info

Nature and Geopark Styrian Eisenwurzen

Healthy Forest Regions: Supporting Healthy Forest ecosystems for human well-being in forest Regions

Partners and Projects info

Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development

Healthy Forest Regions: Supporting Healthy Forest ecosystems for human well-being in forest Regions

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Healthy Forest Regions: Supporting Healthy Forest ecosystems for human well-being in forest Regions

Project acronym: HealthyForestRegions

Project ID: CE0100310

Project start date: 2023-04-01

Project end date: 2026-03-31

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

LIFE Prognoses - PRotection of Old Growth Forests in Europe: Natural heritage,
Outline, Synthesis and Ecosystem Services.
The project is financed by the Life+ fund of the European Union.
The project was initiated during the handover from the WH site coordination office AT to BE in Brussels, 2020. Here, the delegation from AT, BE, DE was invited by the DG Environment, working group on forest and nature, who stated a clear interest in the WH site and the related knowledge and expertise on old-growth forests. Accordingly a project call was set up, which could be successfully applied for by the current partnership of the project.
(EN) | The on-going project is managed by the AP Sonian Foundation (location of the WH site coordination office) involves different organisations from 8 European countries, setting up scientific studies on old-growth forests in Europe, definition and mapping of old-growth forests, research on related ES) raising awareness for, and communicating to professionals and the general public about the importance of these forests for human beings, and how best to protect them.
Synergies are foreseen mainly in respect to results obtained by applied research on ecosystem services of old growth forests, in work package A.2 of this project, which is assessing the value of ecosystem services of primary and old growth forest, regarding biodiversity, carbon sequestration, micro- and meso-climate regulation, tourism and recreation. Here, valuable synergies can be made use of, as e.g. one research area is located in one of the target regions (WH component part Grumsin close to Angermünde), the results can be considered for the interpretation plan of HFR (O.1.1) and for regional communication and education (A.1.1 and A.1.2).
As another working group of CEEM at HNEE is also included in the partnership of the LIFE project, there is close cooperation and communication between the projects.
(EN), UNESCO World Heritage (WH) Site “Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and other Regions of Europe” (EN) | The project will create synergies with the transnational serial WH Site, in particular with the local and regional entities responsible for the management of protected areas comprising WH component parts within the project target regions, acting as PPs or APs.
Through the close cooperation with the coordination office of the WH site, which was of additional value for and further developed by the BEECH POWER project as well as through the strong involvement of all PPs and APs in the functioning European network of WH - related actors and practitioners (forest managers, protected area managers, scientist, rangers, guides, NGOs, local and regional stakeholders, public authorities on all levels, etc.), the project can use valuable synergies for its implementation and in particular through dissemination of project results. The regional anchoring through this network is an important factor for the successful implementation of the planned project.
This has already been successfully used for joint communication campaigns between BEECH POWER and the coordination office (connected to the above- mentioned LIFE Prognoses project) and provides potential for future cooperation also in the planned project.
(EN), LIFE FutureForest - Sustainabilisation of forests and soils and valorisation of the achieved ecosystem services in the county of Landsberg (EN) | The project will consider results of the LIFE FutureForests regarding the measuring and valorisation of forest-based ecosystem services by means of a sustainable development of forests and soils. Furthermore, synergies cn be used regarding communication and awareness raising for the multiple socioeconomic benefits through a cross-sectoral valorisation of ecosystem services. Furthermore, territorial anchoring of outputs of the planned project can be joinlty established in a wider network for further replication, beyond the project target regions.
(EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 2 782 712.00

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 2 226 169.60

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 80.00%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 2 226 169.60. Co-financing rate, 80.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

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Deliverables:

International online workshop on the interpretation of forest ES
Regional workshops on the interpretation of forest ES
Trainings in interpretive guiding, writing, and planning for forest-related education actors
Development of an Interpretation plan for Healthy Forest Regions
Establishment of "Forest Classrooms" as outdoor places of learning
Development of educational packages for primary and secondary education
Installation of a Forest Guard for visitor communication and awareness-raising work in the forest
Elaboration of pilot actions and joint development of concepts and guidelines of best practice
Development of tourist packages with diverse services and products offered by regional providers
Implementation of nature therapy and recreation offers
Development of a forest rally tour for visitors
Elaboration of pilot actions and joint development of concepts and guidelines of best practice
Definition of ES-criteria and indicators
Joint strategy development for prioritisation of ES
Development of three regional strategies for prioritisation of ES
Development of 3 forest management action plans to increase the overall provision of ES
Joint assessment of the potential impact of each action plan on ES provision
Exploration of potential for PES schemes
Pilot implementation of PES schemes
Joint development of related marketing activities
Development of best-practice guidelines and concepts for operationalisation and marketing of ES
Practical assessment of forest ecosystem functionality and vulnerability in project regions
Mapping of stakeholders and their dependence on regional forest ecosystems in project regions
Compilation of ecosystem-based measures for enhancing forest ecosystem functionality in HFR
Analysis of the existing institutional and administrative framework in project target regions
Compilation of recommended institutional structures and processes for project target regions
Composition of specific measures for safeguarding forest ecosystem functionality in selected HFR
Elaboration of a general strategy including summaries for policy- and decision-makers
Set of regional participation opportunities for prioritising measures and actions for selected HFR
Cooperative development of a transferable HFR concept for (inter-) regional cooperation with all PPs
Letter of Intent for transnational cooperation after the duration of the project

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EuropeanGreenDeal The project contributes to the European Green Deal, to the goal of environmental protection and preservation, especially to the priority of biodiversity and ecosystems protection.
The project is in line with the EU forest strategy 2030 as well as with the EU Biodiversity strategy 2030, which are part of the Green Deal.
By safeguarding healthy forest ecosystems and strengthening ecosystem services the project contributes to the reduction of negative effects caused by climate change. By doing so, it contributes to the well-being and health of citizens and future generations.
Other The project contributes to the EU Forest Strategy 2030, by exploration of regulating forest ES in terms of their socio-economic functions for forest-based human well-being and potential for the creation of regional benefits.
By safeguarding healthy forests and ecosystem services the project also contributes to the goal of ‘Protecting EU’s primary and old-growth forests’. It also focuses on sustainable forest management and the implementation of measures for climate adaptation and forest resilience.
TerritorialAgenda2030 The project is in line with the Territorial Agenda 2030, as it contributes to priority 2 ‘A Green Europe that protects common livelihoods and shapes societal transition’, esp. to the goal of ‘healthy environments’. Through development of healthy forest regions concepts and implementation of adaptation measures the project helps to reduce negative impacts of climate change, strengthens the resilience of forest ecosystems, leading to better air and soil quality. The project aims at raising awareness and empowering local and regional communities to safeguard and utilise their forest regions.
EUStrategyDanubeRegion Our project is in line with EUSDR strategy Pillar B ‘Protecting the Environment’, priority area 6 ‘To preserve biodiversity, landscapes and the quality of air and soils’. It contributes by strengthening forest functionality by measures within and outside forests. Regulating forest ecosystem services play an essential role in biodiversity conservation and contribute to an improvement of air and soil quality. Through education, capacity-building and institutional commitment, the necessity for biodiversity and landscape preservation will be anchored.
EUStrategyAdriaticIonianRegion The project is in line with the EUSAIR strategy Pillar 3 ‘Environmental Quality’, specific objective 2 (contribution EU Biodiversity Strategy), topic 2 ‘Transnational terrestrial habitats and biodiversity’, as it contributes to safeguarding and/or improving the functionality of (old-growth) forest ecosystems and their ecosystem services, maintaining and restoring biodiversity in Central Europe.
EUStrategyBalticSeaRegion The project does not specifically contribute, because EUSBSR focuses mainly on marine and coastal ecosystems of the Baltic Sea.
However there are several touch points where the project is in line with the EUSBSR strategy, specifically regarding PA Bioeconomy (reinforcing sustainability of forestry), and PA Health (Health in All Policies approach with focus on climate change on human health).Through education, capacity-building and institutional commitment, the interdependencies of intact forests and human health will be illustrated.
EUStrategyAlpineRegion The project is in line with the 3rd Thematic Policy Area ‘Environment and Energy’ and specifically contributes to Action Group 6 (preservation of natural resources) by reinforcing the valorisation and protection of forest ecosystems and by strengthening their ecosystem services. It also contributes to Action Group 8 (better management of climate change) by development and implementation of adaptation measures to reduce risk and vulnerability of forest ecosystems threatened by climate change.
Other The project further contributes to the strategic objectives of the World Heritage Convention related to the requirements for the WH beech forest site, in particular in the context of safeguarding beech forests ecosystems through effective and active measures, which is not only including their protection, care and maintenance, but further refers to their presentation and transmission beyond the boundaries of the WH site. Furthermore, cooperation with any kind of stakeholders and relevant actors connected to the WH site is supported on all levels by increasing knowledge (exchange), skills and behaviour to improve different management approaches as well as structures and processes to achieve a sustained, mutually beneficial standing of the beech forests in their spatial and thematic context.
The project also strengthens the appreciation and increases the awareness of the broad public for the beech forest heritage, its values and need to conserve it through education and information programmes.
Finally, the project enhances the role of communities in the implementation of the objectives of the WH Convention in the context of WH beech forests and encourages the local population to participate in the conservation of ‘their’ beech forests heritage by empowering its role in the community and regional life.
Other The project is in line with the coalition agreement of the recently elected German government, which explicitly highlights the importance of safeguarding functional forest ecosystems in terms of climate resilience and biodiversity. According to the agreement, old forest that are publicly owned will be taken out of forest management practices. It further highlights the intent of the government to support the development of certification systems for forest owners to allow for maesures that increase forest ecosystem functionality.
The project further conributes to the objectives of the German government regarding transnational cooperation, as there is a clear contribution to sustainable spatial development, with a focus on sustainable development of regions, including economic competitiveness but also social and spatial cohesion and the protection of natural resources.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:

Delivered output indicator(s):

(RCO83) Strategies and action plans jointly developed: 1.0
(RCO87) Organisations cooperating across borders: 43.0

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 084 - Organisations cooperating across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:
RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSBSR

EUSBSR Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSBSR Degree of compliance:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSALP

EUSALP Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSALP Degree of compliance:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSDR

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSAIR

EUSAIR Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSAIR Degree of compliance:

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Central Europe

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-10-08

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

100 / 100 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

1 013 / 1 011 (100.2%)

Notes on the data

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Healthy Forest Regions: Supporting Healthy Forest ecosystems for human well-being in forest Regions

Description

Thematic information

Partners (9)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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