From June 4 to 6, 2025, the LIFE Platform Meeting on European Forest Restoration took place in Brașov, Romania, at the foot of the Făgăraș Mountains—the highest part of the Southern Carpathians. The event was organized by the European Commission (DG Environment and CINEA) in cooperation with the Foundation Conservation Carpathia and the LIFE project “Carpathia.”
The meeting focused on current challenges and solutions in the field of European forest restoration, particularly in the context of biodiversity loss, climate change impacts, and socio-economic tensions. Nearly 100 participants from 13 countries came together to exchange best practices and set the course for the future of European forests.
Presentation of IfaS activities in the field of agroforestry
The Institute for Applied Material Flow Management (IfaS) was represented by Frank Wagener and Jacob Bußmann, who presented the institute’s many years of expertise in the field of agroforestry systems on the first day of the event.
During the plenary session on silvopastoral systems and agroforestry, they presented results from several European projects:
LIFE AFaktive
Transylvanian Wood-Pastures (DBU-funded)
The presentation highlighted in particular the role of traditional pasture landscapes with individual trees – so-called wood-pastures – for biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and climate-friendly land use in Romania. It also showed what lessons can be learned from the Romanian experience for the development of modern agroforestry systems in Germany. In addition, the importance of such systems for rural development was explained. Concrete practical examples such as the Bannmühle, the Neumühle and the project of the Wurzener Land-Werke in cooperation with the Böhlitzer Agrar e.G. illustrated the implementation in practice and underlined the transnational relevance of the topic.
Participation in working groups
On the second day of the event, Mr. Bußmann and Mr. Wagener participated in various working groups dealing with key aspects of forest restoration:
1. Socio-economic opportunities and financing instruments
Models for a sustainable bioeconomy were discussed: payments for ecosystem services (PES), CO₂ certification, and biodiversity labels. A key concern was the involvement of local actors in decision-making and financing processes.
2. Forests and climate change
IThe focus was on strategies to strengthen the climate resilience of forests, measures for CO₂ sequestration, and the improvement of early warning systems for forest fires and pest infestations.
3. Agroforestry and silvopastoral systems
Particular attention was paid to the revival of traditional forms of land use such as forest pastures and other agroforestry systems. These not only contribute to increasing biodiversity, but also contribute to regional value creation, soil improvement, and climate adaptation.
Excursion to the Făgăraș Mountains
On the third and fourth days, participants were able to learn about specific project implementations in the region during an excursion. Among other things, they visited:
- the “Beaver’s House” visitor center in Rucăr
- a forest nursery with native species
- restored areas with beaver dams
- the Richita Nature Education and Activities Center
- areas for the renaturation of spruce monocultures
The guided tours by experts from the Foundation Conservation Carpathia provided insights into practical challenges and solutions in the field of near-natural forest conversion.
Conclusion
The LIFE Platform Meeting in Brașov impressively demonstrated how LIFE-funded projects across Europe are contributing to the restoration and sustainable use of forests. The contributions from IfaS highlighted how integrated, landscape-based approaches, in particular agroforestry systems, can help to address ecological and social challenges.
The combination of technical exchange, political dialogue, and concrete practical examples in the Făgăraș Mountains made the event an important catalyst for the future of European forest landscapes.
Further information on the event: carpathia.org/life-platform-meeting-on-forest-restoration-in-europe



Copyright: IfaS