CIA2SFM - European cooperation for innovative approach in sustainable forest management training

The Institute for Development and International Relations and the Croatian Forests Research Institute in collaboration with other Croatian organisations have established an innovative cooperation to develop and promote educational programmes for adults in the field of sustainable forest management. Through different Erasmus + projects such as VET4BioECONOMY or the CIA2SFM program, Croatian institutions with the collaboration of partners in Slovenia and Austria develop new methods and innovative training techniques that place the forest bioeconomy at the center of the European green agenda.

The aim of the educational program is to get acquainted with the European goals of forest management, to raise and disseminate knowledge about aspects of sustainable forest management and to inform about ways of access to forest information. Target groups of educational program are forestry professionals, PFOs, forestry entrepreneurs and employees of institutions in charge of protected areas management. This educational program is divided into four sections (chapters) that will provide target groups with specific and comprehensive knowledge about sustainable forest management in a way that covers all three aspects of sustainable management: environmental, economic, and social.

Expected impact of the project are increased training skills for employees of partner organisations (trainers) for training of VET and LLL learners; increased digital competence of trainers from partner organisations in using ICT and e-learning content for teaching and training; increased capacity of partner organisations to work in EU/international environment; increased networking opportunities. Today's and future forestry education and its digitisation is very important as a way to modernise the forest and wood sector. This example of collaboration and innovation at European level is therefore very important best practice for the South East Hub.