Pannon ETT

The partners of the Pannon Future Forest project met in Croatia to discuss the results of the Benchmark Study, prepare upcoming local workshops, establish a mentoring network, and plan the project’s autumn hackathon.

On 25–26 March 2026, the next international partner meeting of the Pannon Future Forest project took place at the Zlatna Greda Hunting Lodge in Osijek, hosted by Hrvatske šume (Croatian Forests). The meeting focused on presenting one of the key professional outputs of the project’s first phase—the Benchmark Study—while also preparing the next stage of local project activities.

The Pannon Future Forest project aims to foster a new approach and practical forms of cooperation for unlocking the green economy potential of forests across the Hungarian–Croatian–Slovenian border region. Rather than focusing solely on traditional forestry management, the project explores how forests and natural resources can serve as drivers of innovation, entrepreneurship, knowledge transfer, regenerative tourism, and nature-based business models.

The central topic of the meeting was the Benchmark Study, entitled “Forest as a Reinterpreted Product.” Serving as the project’s professional foundation, the study brings together good practices, international examples, and emerging business opportunities that will inform the design of future local activities.

The meeting also marked the beginning of work on the Transnational Valorisation Strategy. This joint strategic document will define how the project regions can develop practical and implementable initiatives in the fields of forest-based bioeconomy, nature-based solutions, and innovative business development.

The second day focused on the practical implementation of the project. Partners discussed project management, internal financial monitoring, communication activities, and the development of a shared knowledge platform and mentoring network. A key milestone was also reached in planning the project’s autumn Hackathon, which will be jointly organised by Croatian Forests and the Faculty of Economics and Business, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek during the second half of October 2026.

The partner meeting also included a professional study visit to Kopački Rit Nature Park, showcasing an excellent example of how nature conservation, ecotourism, local economic development, and regional identity can be successfully integrated.

The source of the news is available at this link.