Fem2forests Kick-off Meeting

The Fem2Forests project officially started with a hybrid kick-off meeting held on March 21-22, 2024. Hosted both in-person at the Slovenian Forestry Institute in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and virtually via Zoom platform, the event successfully brought together representatives from 15 partner organizations across nine countries.

Project manager, Dr. Nike Krajnc, from Slovenian Forestry Institute, welcomed all participants and held detailed introduction presentation about Fem2Forests project. Key information about the project include:

• Project Title: Innovative Pathways for Efficient Involvement of Girls and Young Women in the Forestry Sector
• Acronym: Fem2Forests
• Project ID: DRP0200118
• Duration: January 1, 2024 – June 30, 2026
• Total Budget: €1,621,570
• Programme Priority Specific Objective: Accessible, inclusive, and effective labor market
• Partnership: 15 partners from nine countries, with Slovenian Forestry Institute as a Lead partner
• Objective of the project: Increase the share of women in the forestry sector by 2030 by empowering, supporting and accompanying girls and young women to develop career paths in the forestry sector.

The meeting featured presentations from each partner organization, clarifying their unique roles and contributions to the project. This established a clear understanding of each partner's responsibilities.

Additionally, the meeting was pivotal for setting up essential operational procedures and introducing reporting requirements. Partners were guided on adhering to project timelines and financial documentation standards, ensuring efficient tracking and management of project activities.

With the work plan of the project structured into three specific objectives (SOs), the detailed presentations were held about each of them:

• SO1: Develop innovative career paths for girls and young women in the forestry sector.
• SO2: Strengthen the capacity of forestry education institutions through a gender perspective.
• SO3: Facilitate effective involvement of girls and young women in forestry.

Detailed planning for activities related to SO1 was emphasized, as these initiatives are implemented during first project period.

The meeting also outlined upcoming communication efforts, emphasizing active engagement through social media, organization of international events, and the creation of promotional materials. Partners were instructed to maintain active communication through their channels to enhance project visibility and stakeholder engagement.

Overall, the Kick-off meeting successfully laid the foundation for the Fem2Forests project, underscoring the collaborative effort necessary to achieve its objectives. It served as a place for strengthening partnership and fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment, setting the stage for effective implementation of future project activities.

For ongoing updates about Fem2forests, please visit our website and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram to stay informed about journey ahead and the impactful changes the Fem2Forests project will bring to the forestry sector.