Innovasions ledning, digitala hubbar, kluster

In KomSilva, tools for a goal-oriented and efficient discourse with forest owners are being developed. Target groups are stakeholders and organizations who activate and address forest owners. Mostly forestry associations should profit from the project, but also service providers and other stakeholders. Communication with forest owners is a key asset towards mobilization. Existing instruments are being adjusted and new tools like online-training, online-consulting concepts and social media strategies for consulting and communication are being created and already successfully tested.

Existing instruments for approaching forest owners and communicate with them are being investigated and evaluated according to their effectiveness. Thereby, a collaborative approach is being pursued. It comprises an advisory committee with experts from practice and an active involvement via interviews, a large-scale online-survey and workshops. Experiences in activating forest owners and in public relations are being collected and practicable factors of success are being identified. Arguments for the activation of forest owners are being developed to sensitize forestry associations also for the new task fields.

A “machinery ring” describes an association where farmers support each other by offering machinery and services in forestry and agriculture:
The “machinery ring” is a community that exchanges experiences, shares machines and supports in emergency situations.
it’s essentially based on community and innovation
The „machinery ring“ is a Germany-wide organisation; membership is completed in the members’ local machinery ring (place of living)
The focus is on a member organization and the sustainable benefits for the associated companies

The “machinery ring” successfully offer their members:
reduced production costs attractive employment and additional income opportunities
enhanced working conditions (for example outsourcing of work chains, support of employees during peak periods)
allowances in emergency situations (damages, etc.)
expert consultancy, wide range of services, mediation contracts

The “machinery rings” are the first consulting partners in management and field work organization
The local organizations provide individual personnel, services and technology
The cost-effective shared use of modern technology / machinery in forestry and agriculture, employment models for members and organization of value chains especially in rural areas are the main building blocks
In Germany there are about 240 local machinery ring organizations that represent about 192.000 agricultural farms
Roof organization is the “Bundesverband der Maschinenringe e.V.“ with it’s subsidiary „Maschinenring Deutschland GmbH“

In 2008, Regional Forest Owner Days were held in 7 different locations, namely Kempten, Grub/Bamberg, Lohr, Ansbach, Traunstein, Bad Kötzting and Röhrnbach.
The events consisted of three conceptionally independent parts. Except from scientific speeches concerning the topic forest management, in nearly all locations there was also a professional exhibition. The target group of the forest owners therefore was addressed in a multidimensional way: with knowledge, experiences and leisure offerings.

·         Owners of very small forests could be interested in the regional forest owner days with personal invitations in cooperation with agricultural associations
The success rate of the invitations to the event altogether was 15 %
The visitors of the event most prominently remembered the exhibition, these memories exceeded the memories of the stage play and the speeches

Concerning the impact of the forest owner days on the changes in taking action of the forest owners, a dissertation found that those forest owners who were already organized in forestry associations engaged a little more in their forests after the event than those who were not members of forestry associations. They reacted faster after the event, followed contacts straight forward, took action faster in their forests and were generally more active. 

Providing forest service for sustainable forest management. Members are mainly private and municipal forest enterprises. The main goals are :
The commercial business objective is to optimize the revenues of forest owners by overcoming structural disadvantages through the association.
The FVS eG wants to preserve and promote regional forestry structures. This is why FVG eG mainly uses local companies to provide the offered services.
Close and trusting cooperation with customers in the sawmill and wood industry

One of the biggest forest association in Germany

· The cooperative aims to support private forest owners and to provide a reliable source of wood to the industry. Three main goals were highlighted: Common sale of wood adapted to the industry’s needs Support of forest cultivation Increase efficiency for joint selling at fair market value Many advantages because of the positive effects due to cooperation Many advantages because of the positive effects due to cooperation

RegioHOLZ connects players of the wood and furniture industry targeting the entire value chain. The goal is to create synergies through exchange and cooperation. Furthermore, the network organizes dialogue forums and other events. The team offers expert knowledge and contacts for the entire forestry and wood industry.  The cluster initiative involves around 20 companies from the wood value chain in the region.

Personal contact and trust is the key to improve regional networks successfully.

Regular meetings, events, workshops, joint trade fair appearances, networking, information and knowledge transfer, initiation of cooperation’s and collaborative projects, initiatives in education and training

Holzkette Schwarzwald is an association of representatives of the forestry and wood industry as well as communities and individuals. Their goal is to promote the cooperation across various stages of timber products from forest owner to final consumer.%Furthermore, the association is aiming to strengthen the wood sector in general, especially in the Black Forest. At present, the association has 200 members, among them 12 communities: Bonndorf, Breitnau, Eisenbach, Feldberg, Friedenweiler, Hinterzarten, Löffingen, Lenzkirch, St.Märgen, St.Peter, Titisee - Neustadt and Schluchsee.%The association was established based on the EURES study "Standortinitiative Hochschwarzwald" commissioned by the municipalities of Löffingen, Lenzkirch and Titisee-Neustadt in 1996. %In particular, the study highlights the importance of the wood sector to the regional labor market in the Black Forest (24% of the workforce in the Black Forest depends on wood).

Personal contact and trust is the key to improve regional networks successfully.

Every 2 years the Holzkette organizes an event called Holztage. This event always take place in a membership community in the Black Forest.
Several information events and expert conventions as well as a fair take place during the Holztage.

Holzforum Allgäu is the only regional organization in the wood industry, in which all members of the value chain are represented: Forest administration and private forest owners, sawmilling industry, cabinetmakers, carpenters, wood construction entrepreneurs and energy specialists as well as architects.
The basic idea of the Holzforum Allgäu is to promote domestic wood and regional products from tree to building. Moreover, a goal is to create new sales opportunities through contacts between the individual sectors. 

Personal contact and trust is the key to improve regional networks successfully.

Accomplishment of several projects along the chain of custody focusing on the regional added value. Holzforum Allgäu is also starting to implement a regional certification of origin to rise the sensitivity for regional products.

In order to strengthen the competitiveness of forestry and timber industry and to promote the use of wood, eleven regional partner institutions founded the regional cluster initiative proHolz Schwarzwald. An important basis for this initiative is the high importance of forest and wood in the Black Forest. In particular, forestry, wood and sawing industry as well as carpentries have a high performance and great potential for innovations. proHolz Schwarzwald provides a information platform for industry members and the public about forestry, wood and timber constructions.

Bringing together regional networks and motivating partners are the key to success. Working on a personal level is the most important key to implement a successful network.

Accomplishment of several projects along the chain of custody focusing on the regional added value.

·         Forst und Holz Allgäu-Oberschwaben is a joint project of communities, municipals, companies and planners to strengthen the network along the value chain. It also serves as an informative platform on a regional level.
The top goal is to spread the excitement for wood. Other main goals are:
Secure the usage of wood from local forests and provide wood produced by a sustainable forestry
Working together to promote wood usage in the Allgäu-Oberschwaben region
Increase the benefit by strengthening the regional chain of custody.

The personal contact and trust is the key to improve regional networks successfully.

Accomplishment of several projects along the chain of custody focusing on the regional added value.