Building on the experience of the former IUFRO Special Programme Directors’ Forum, the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) has initiated a co-development process with heads of forest research organizations and deans of forest faculties to strengthen regional science-policy networks.

Regional Science-Policy Networks provide a strategic platform for exchanging and developing views on topics relevant to managing research organizations or universities (e.g., financing research activities, managing staff, monitoring political framework conditions), and for communicating scientific results and processes to policymakers. 

Through its informal nature and by bringing together research representatives on a regional level, the network provides participating institutions with an innovative opportunity to learn from each other and address critical issues for forest-related research. It aims to provide a platform for quality science and deliver it to society. 

Regional Science-Policy Networks offer a platform to enhance the visibility of existing regional research networks and activities. Building on the successful approach of IUFRO’s Science-Policy Programme, the Network will specifically compile the latest research results on clearly identified topics and feed them into regional policy discussions and processes.  

Since October 2024, the concept is currently being co-developed under the lead of the Science-Policy Programme in partnership with representatives of regional research networks and IUFRO member organisations.