Project Objectives
Create the CoE, recruit talents, develop operational processes
Conduct research on AI-IoT methods and capabilities for the development of sustainable forest-based research applications
Integrate the developed AI-IoT methods into targeted Lithuanian ICT industries to boost forest data intelligence with AI
Create a Lithuanian AI and IoT cluster to implement a Lithuanian Smart Forestry Strategy and promote the CoE abroad

About the Forest 4.0 project
The overall objective of the FOREST 4.0 project is to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) to transform the forest environment monitoring, data acquisition, and analysis, and capture value from the collected data by implementing innovations based on artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT).
The CoE will be founded by two Lithuanian partners (Vytautas Magnus University – VMU) and Kaunas University of Technology – KTU) teaming with a leading counterpart from Sweden (Linnaeus University – LNU) and three networking and business development partners (InteriorCluster from Sweden, ART21 UAB and AgriFood Lithuania Digital Innovation Hub from Lithuania). The CoE will be created as a new legal entity and will comprise leading researchers from different domains that will implement an ambitious long term research and innovation strategy. The CoE will also provide innovation services to businesses and host a startup incubator. The impact of the project will be a rise in research excellence and reputation in forestry management and AI/IoT technologies for Lithuania; the constitution of a critical mass of excellent international researchers in the targeted domains; the production of a growing amount of research (publications) and innovation (patents, new technologies, startups) outputs; and expanding international networks for the Lithuanian partners.
6years
Project duration
From 2023 05 01 to 2029 04 30
20m. Eur.
Project budget
9,9 mln. eur from EU, 9,9 mln. eur from LT
Kick-off event agenda
News & Updates
Forest 4.0 at the Lithuanian Cluster Network Annual Meeting
June 11, 2025
In many countries, clusters play a key role in promoting economic growth, innovation, and employment. By bringing together businesses, research institutions, and other stakeholders, clusters become magnets for new technologies, skilled professionals, and investment in research and development. This…
Hunting for New Contacts and Fresh Ideas at Elmia Wood 2025
June 9, 2025
The Forest 4.0 team has just returned from Bratteborg, where the Elmia Wood conference took place from June 5–7, 2025. Elmia Wood is the leading international business arena for innovative and sustainable forestry - a world-class demo fair held entirely in the forest. It offers a unique opportunity…
Forest 4.0 joins a Memorandum of Cooperation of the Lithuanian Bioeconomy HUB
June 6, 2025
On 5 June 2025, during the first strategic session focused on “Strengths, Weaknesses, Challenges, and Opportunities of the Lithuanian Bioeconomy System, and Its Probable and Desirable Visions for 2040”, a Memorandum of Cooperation of the Lithuanian Bioeconomy HUB was signed. The memorandum was…
Forest 4.0 × LABT: Rethinking Forests, Technology, and Sustainability Through Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration
May 29, 2025
In May 19-23, Gabrielė Kasputytė, researcher at the Forest 4.0, took part in the interdisciplinary innovation event “The Laboratory for [Living] Tree [as] Architecture (LABT) Creathon 2025” in Saint-Etienne, France, where she participated as both a mentor and keynote speaker. LABT is a…
Rethinking Forestry: Lithuania Debates the Future of Forest Policy
May 21, 2025
On 21 May, a conference on the impacts of clear-cutting and new approaches to forestry policy took place at the Parliament of Lithuania. Co-organised by the Committee on Environmental Protection of the Parliament, the conference focused heavily on close-to-nature forestry, the current state of…
Dr. Arianit Kurti: Transforming Forestry Through Data and Innovation
April 14, 2025
Questions of how we monitor, acquire, and analyze data in forest environments - and ultimately, how we create value from that data is of key importance to the team behind Forest4.0. But as the forestry sector moves toward this transformation, it faces several key challenges that must be addressed.…
Forest4.0 Centre of Excellence Enters a New Phase
April 9, 2025
The Forest4.0 initiative has reached a significant milestone in its second year with the formal establishment of the Centre of Excellence in Kaunas, Lithuania. Under the leadership of Vytautas Magnus University and with the close collaboration of project partners, the legal structure of the Centre…
Forest 4.0 at Framtidsdagen in Växjö
March 28, 2025
On March 26, Anna Rosenqvist, a member of the Forest 4.0 team and CEO of Interior Cluster Sweden, took part in Framtidsdagen in Växjö - a future-focused event dedicated to innovation, sustainability, and regional development. As a team member of Forest 4.0, Anna contributed to discussions by…
Forest and Digitalization: Will Artificial Intelligence Replace Foresters?
February 13, 2025
On February 6, around 150 forestry sector participants gathered at VMU Agriculture Academy for the conference “Forest and Digitalization: Will Artificial Intelligence Replace Foresters?”. The event focused on how digital technologies are transforming forestry, becoming irreplaceable tools for…
Advanced Forestry: A Recipe for the Future of Lithuanian Forests?
December 20, 2024
“For the first time in our region, the expertise of researchers from two distinct fields—forestry and digital technologies—has been combined. Approximately a year ago, the six-year project ‘Forest 4.0’ was launched. This initiative is jointly funded by the European Union's Horizon Europe research…
Services for business/ public authorities
- Commissioned research
- Commissioned research / feasibility studies
- Requirements and specification development
- Project supervision
- Blueprints
- Consultancy
- Certification
- Forest 4.0 data
Education
- Educational laboratories
Training
- For business
- For Institutions
- Open