Dr. Matthew Schwarzkopf, InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM researcher, participated in the European FOREST Partnership Kick-off Event, held 13–14 October 2026 in Helsinki, Finland. As the current president of the Society of Wood Science and Technology (SWST), he represented the society in a stakeholder panel discussion on expectations for the partnership.

The FOREST Partnership, established under the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme, brought together stakeholders from research, industry, policy, forest and timber networks, nature conservation organisations and other sectors. The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in forest-based research and innovation, providing a framework for stakeholders to discuss shared priorities and contribute to future activities.

During the panel discussion titled Expectations Towards the Partnership, Dr. Matthew Schwarzkopf represented the Society of Wood Science and Technology (SWST) as its current president. He shared the society’s expectations for the ten-year research and innovation partnership, highlighting the importance of providing access and support to strengthen relationships among stakeholders, including students and young researchers, educators, innovators, policymakers and society.

Dr. Schwarzkopf also emphasised that these connections help build trust and mutual understanding, which are essential for a healthy and effective research and innovation community. The panel also featured Piotr Borkowski from the European State Forest Association and Jermie Crespin from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development.

The launch event brought together representatives of the European Commission, Finnish national institutions, research organisations, industry and other forest and timber stakeholders. In addition to the official launch and stakeholder panel discussions, the programme included opportunities for participants to discuss opportunities for international collaboration.