25 November 2026 | Vilnius Town Hall, Lithuania

How can science, digital technologies and innovation help build more resilient, sustainably managed and competitive European forests?

On 25 November, the Forest 4.0 Centre of Excellence and its project consortium partners will participate in AgriFood Forum 2026, bringing forestry research, technological innovation and practical industry perspectives to one of Lithuania’s key events dedicated to the future of agriculture, food and forests.

This year’s Forum, themed “Beyond the Harvest: New Value from Land, Food and Forests,” will bring together policymakers, researchers, businesses and innovators to explore how sustainability, technological advancement and cooperation can create new opportunities across Europe’s land-based sectors.

As part of the programme, Forest 4.0 will contribute to a dedicated forestry session:

The Future of European Forests: Resilience, Sustainable Management and Competitiveness

From Forest Policy and Ownership to Innovation and Smart Value Chains

25 November 2026 | 11:00–13:00 | Hall B

European forests face growing challenges, from climate change and biodiversity loss to evolving regulatory requirements and increasing demand for renewable materials. Addressing these challenges requires not only scientific knowledge and technological innovation, but also practical solutions that support forest owners, businesses and policymakers.

The session will bring together representatives of forest ownership, national policy, research institutions and industry to discuss how Europe can strengthen forest resilience while maintaining economically viable and competitive forestry value chains.

A central part of the programme will showcase Forest 4.0 research and technological solutions, highlighting innovations that are already being developed, tested or implemented in practice.

Key topics will include:

  • Forest resilience and sustainable management: Balancing environmental objectives, long-term investment and the needs of forest owners.
  • Advanced forest ecosystem monitoring: Using new technologies and scientific methods to better understand forest health, ecosystem changes and climate-related risks.
  • Forest data infrastructure and decision support: Improving forest inventories, data collection and digital tools to enable more informed management decisions.
  • Timber traceability and digital value chains: Exploring how reliable origin data, interoperable systems and Digital Product Passports can support transparency, regulatory compliance and business competitiveness.

The session will conclude with a European-level panel discussion, “European Forests at a Crossroads,” exploring how policy, investment, science and innovation can work together to deliver lasting benefits for Europe’s forests and forest-based industries.

Connecting research with real-world impact

For Forest 4.0, participation in AgriFood Forum 2026 is an opportunity to demonstrate how research and digital innovation can contribute to practical forestry solutions, while strengthening collaboration between scientists, forest owners, policymakers and industry.

With Lithuania preparing for its 2027 Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Forum also offers a timely platform for discussing forestry priorities and the role of innovation in shaping Europe’s sustainable future.

Join us in Vilnius on 25 November to explore the future of European forestry and discover how Forest 4.0 is helping translate scientific knowledge into practical solutions.

Event information, programme and registration: https://digitalfarm.lt