Description

FORWARDS is a project funded by the European Union that will prototype the Forest-Ward Observatory, a pan-European monitoring and evaluation system that will help assess how European forests respond to the impacts of climate change. It will document current restoration activities concerning forests, biodiversity, carbon, and soils and explore various restoration options to guide decision-making processes
towards climate-smart forest management. One of the aims of the FORWARDS project is to engage and empower citizens and stakeholders in the co-creation of solutions that will support the future of forests amidst climate change challenges. In the project, engagement and co-design will help in shaping a platform solution that is responsive to specific stakeholder interests and prioritizes user needs. This approach ensures that project results resonate effectively with diverse stakeholder groups, fostering greater uptake and implementation of project outcomes. For sustained impact, engagement activities on different administrative levels are important, including policy-related dialogues or consultations that span
across sectors. To set up the Observatory and support the implementation and scaling up of CSF and restoration sites, this call seeks to promote greater engagement of citizens and stakeholders in advancing CSF and restoration efforts. It aims to (1) increase awareness of the need for CSF, (2) assess the potential social impacts of CSF, and (3) develop inclusive initiatives that empower local communities, organizations, and other
stakeholders to actively co-create and contribute to CSF decision-making processes and the development of policy recommendations.