The SMURF project is divided into 5 different Work Packages

We want to involve both traditional and non-traditional small forest property owners, along with key stakeholders such as managers, industry representatives, and government officials.

The focus is on understanding the specific circumstances and behaviors of both types of owners. Additionally, efforts aim to enhance knowledge regarding the management expertise, skills, motivation, and needs of small forest property owners.

The initiative includes a thorough review of existing legislation at regional, national, and EU levels pertaining to forestry, as well as an assessment of current support systems available at both national and European levels. The overarching goal is to gather comprehensive insights and information that can inform strategies for effectively supporting and collaborating with small forest property owners.

Our aim is to systematically analyse and define the potential business prospects within a central hub for small-scale forest owners, specifically focusing on the utilization of non-wood forest products and the incorporation of damaged or infected wood into the development of innovative wood-based products.

This involves a multifaceted approach, beginning with the characterization of business opportunities within the hub.
Following this, the project aims to put these identified opportunities into practice by implementing and validating new business models in pertinent regions and organizations across Europe.
A collaborative effort is envisioned, where stakeholders work together to co-create novel business models for both non-wood products and the integration of damaged or infected wood into the production of new wood-based items.

In essence, the initiative seeks to drive sustainable and economically viable practices among small-scale forest owners by tapping into the potential of non-traditional forest resources and fostering innovation in wood-based product development.
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• We aim to establish a crucial management tool for the European Forest Strategy, focusing on the primary European Forest Ecosystem. This tool will be designed to empower forest managers in implementing silviculture practices that effectively balance productivity and nature conservation.

• We aim to increase the understanding regarding the impact of various management strategies on the key Ecosystem Services. Another goal involves the analysis of the requirements for providing Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) to support the expansion of closer to nature silviculture. Lastly, the objectives aim to promote awareness and adoption of Closer to Nature Silviculture (CNS) among forest owners and stakeholders across Europe.

• Aims to enhance the financial returns of forest ownership by leveraging Payment For Ecosystem Services (PES) with a focus on carbon credits. This involves the establishment of methodologies (O5.2) to seamlessly integrate biodiversity considerations into carbon credit projects. Additionally, the implementation of a robust carbon credit traceability system, utilizing blockchain technology (O5.3), is crucial for ensuring the credibility and reliability of the generated credits. Fur

• Thermore, the initiative seeks to establish a transparent and reliable market for carbon credits by utilizing tokens. These tokens would be generated through forestry projects specifically designed for the voluntary market in Europe (O5.4). Overall, this multifaceted approach aims to create opportunities for sustainable forest management and contribute to environmental conservation efforts by aligning financial incentives with ecosystem services.

• The proposed objectives aim to facilitate the widespread implementation of flagship initiatives throughout Europe by engaging organizations from diverse countries and regions in both the design and monitoring phases. The strategy involves not only the transfer of successful initiatives but also the formulation of effective strategies for replicating these solutions across different European organizations and regions. Additionally, there is a focus on enhancing support systems for forest owners in Europe, ensuring they receive improved assistance. To sustain these efforts, the plan includes the provision of adequate resources for exploitation throughout the project’s duration and beyond, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive follow-up plan.