“Women in Forestry: Connecting Across Borders and Generations” Inspiring International Conference Held in Graz, Austria

On 22–23 April in Graz, Austria, the international conference Women in Forestry: Connecting Across Borders and Generations brought together more than 130 participants from a wide range of countries, regions, and continents. The event was guided by a shared objective: to strengthen and amplify the role and voice of women in forestry.

The programme combined strategic dialogue with practical, field-based insights. Through expert panels and interactive sessions, participants explored key topics shaping the future of the forest sector, including women’s professional development and career pathways in forestry, the role of mentoring as a tool for empowerment and knowledge transfer, approaches to attracting and inspiring young women to enter the sector, gender-responsive and inclusive forest sector development, as well as the importance of strengthening cross-border networks and collaboration.

The second part of the programme featured field visits to forestry and wood-processing sites, offering participants first-hand insight into sustainable forest management practices, innovation in wood processing and industrial processes, climate-conscious forestry approaches, and the role of women forest owners and managers in practice.

The conference reaffirmed a clear and shared message: the future of forestry lies in inclusivity, collaboration, and the integration of diverse knowledge and perspectives.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all speakers, participants, and partners for their valuable contributions, engagement, and inspiring exchange.

The conference was organised by the #Fem2Forests project team and co-financed by the European Union through the Interreg Danube Transnational Programme, in cooperation with WOFO International, Forstfrauen, and the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO).