Building on the experience of the former 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. 

With the Regional Science-Policy Information Networks (SPIN), a workstream of the Science-Policy Programme (SciPol), IUFRO aims to facilitate access for regional decision-makers  to the best science-based solutions for the complex challenges and issues related to forests. A prerequisite for this interaction between science and policy is to have a trusted and strategic platform, allowing for an open exchange on scientific needs and opportunities. As such, these Networks bring together regional research representatives to foster collaboration, raise the visibility of regional research, and provide science-based policy options in policy discussions and processes, while also facilitating communication with policy-makers to better understand their needs and provide more relevant scientific results.

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

Since December 2024, the SPIN concept is currently being co-developed by representatives of regional research networks and IUFRO member organisations, facilitated by Science-Policy Programme.