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Forest 4.0 CoE at the SILVA Network Annual Conference 2026

The Forest 4.0 Centre of Excellence and Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) joined the SILVA Network Annual Conference in Zollikofen, Switzerland, hosted by HAFL – Bern University of Applied Sciences on 18–20 May 2026. This year's theme — "Co-operation in higher forest education – from open educational materials to joint curricula and degrees" — brought together more than 50 European universities to address the rapid transformation of forestry higher education.

Representing Forest 4.0 CoE and VMU, Nerijus Kupstaitis and Prof. Vitas Marozas introduced the Centre of Excellence and shared concrete examples of how it is shaping the next generation of forestry professionals. Their contribution highlighted innovative digital technologies applied in forest science and education, together with ongoing collaboration models that bridge research, teaching and the forest sector.

A dedicated part of the presentation introduced the new Digital Forestry Master's programme currently being developed at Vytautas Magnus University — a programme designed to equip future forest professionals with the digital, analytical and interdisciplinary skills demanded by climate-smart forestry, biodiversity conservation, the bioeconomy and digital innovation.

Forest 4.0 CoE's participation reaffirms our commitment to deeper European cooperation in forest education and to building joint capacity for digital transformation across the sector. We thank the SILVA Network and HAFL for the warm hospitality and look forward to continuing the dialogue with our European partners as we co-create the curricula and competences that tomorrow's forests will require.

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Forest 4.0 Centre of Excellence — on the European forestry clustering map

On 6–8 May, Zaragoza 🇪🇸 hosted the "FOCAL European Clustering Event: EU Clustering on Advanced Technologies and Digitalisation for Climate Action in Agro-Forestry and the Blue Economy" — bringing together dozens of projects across the sectors.

On the opening day, the Forest 4.0 Centre of Excellence was represented by CEO, Dr. Nerijus Kupstaitis. In the session "European Living Labs & Forest Pilots — Success Cases", keynote presentation "Forest 4.0 — Creation of the Centre of Excellence in Smart Forestry", alongside initiatives such as LIFE TERRA and COOPTREE.

Three days of direct dialogue with Fraunhofer IGD, the Open Geospatial Consortium, Barcelona Supercomputing Center, ITA, CIRCE Technology Centre, and a wide range of sister projects (FOCAL, AgriDataValue, IT4EST, EFHERA, TerraTwin, BIOCLIMA, and others) — an opportunity to see where Lithuania's forestry digitalisation agenda meets Europe's clustering movement.

From Zaragoza we take back insights into the future of digital twins, climate data services, and agri-forestry operations — and, more importantly, new connections that strengthen the Forest 4.0 Centre of Excellence as an autonomous voice within the European landscape.

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April 15 marks the expansion of international cooperation for the Centre of Excellence

During the Lithuanian–Estonian business forum in Vilnius, Forest 4.0 (Lithuania) and Kappazeta OÜ (Estonia) signed a 2-year Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on advancing digital forestry solutions and remote sensing–based forest monitoring.

The partnership will start with joint pilot projects in Lithuania’s Tauragė region, implementing Kappazeta’s automated satellite-based clear-cut detection system and testing new methods for estimating forest height and timber volume.

The parties will assess user needs in Lithuania by engaging key stakeholders such as the State Forest Service, Environmental Protection Department, State Forest Enterprise, and the Armed Forces, to explore potential long-term forest monitoring service models.

The collaboration aims to drive joint research and development, improve remote sensing algorithms, and cross-validate results against Lithuanian ground data.

The partnership lays the foundation for a reliable and scalable forest monitoring system to support transparent, evidence-based decision-making in Lithuania’s forestry sector by combining Forest 4.0’s scientific expertise with Kappazeta’s proven technology.

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