The European Forest Genetic Resources Programme (EUFORGEN) is a collaborative mechanism among European countries to promote conservation and sustainable use of forest genetic resources. The Programme was established in October 1994 to implement Strasbourg Resolution S2 (Conservation of forest genetic resources) of the first Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe (MCPFE), held in France in 1990.

Phase III (2005-2009) of EUFORGEN started in January 2005 and it will focus on promoting appropriate use of forest genetic resources as an integral part of sustainable forest management. Thus EUFORGEN also contributes to the implementation of Vienna Resolution 4 (Conserving and enhancing forest biological diversity in Europe), adopted by the fourth MCPFE Conference in Austria in 2003.

Objectives for Phase III

• Promote practical implementation of gene conservation and appropriate use of genetic resources as an integral part of sustainable forest management

• Facilitate further development of methods to conserve genetic diversity of European forests

• Collate and disseminate reliable information on forest genetic resources in Europe

Structure and modus operandi

EUFORGEN is financed by its member countries and coordinated by the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) in technical collaboration with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The EUFORGEN Steering Committee is composed of National Coordinators nominated by all member countries and it is overseeing of the Programme, following the mandate given by the MCPFE process.

The EUFORGEN Secretariat at IPGRI manages the implementation of the Programme activities based on the decisions made by the Steering Committee. The financial contributions of the member countries are used for the overall coordination of different activities, Network meetings and operations, publications and dissemination of information. Network representatives provide significant inputs in-kind by participating in the network meetings and carrying out jointly agreed tasks between the meetings.

Networks

EUFORGEN operates through Networks which bring together scientists, policy makers and managers to exchange information, discuss needs and develop strategies and methods for better management of forest genetic resources in Europe. During Phase III, EUFORGEN has one thematic Network and three species-oriented Networks:

• Forest Management Network

• Conifers Network

• Scattered Broadleaves Network

• Stand-forming Broadleaves

These Networks collaborate with each other through the Information Working Group which convenes specific task forces on various cross-cutting issues, in particular on information management.

The outputs

EUFORGEN has produced several concrete outputs, such as:

• Long-term gene conservation strategies

• Technical guidelines for genetic conservation of forest trees

• Revised distribution maps of forest trees in Europe

• Descriptors and databases

• Collections of genetic material

• Publications and public awareness material

EUFORGEN has facilitated strengthening of national efforts on forest genetic resources in its member countries and contributed to the development of new programmes and policies of the European Union. Furthermore, EUFORGEN has provided a useful platform for developing as bilateral cooperation and large research projects on forest genetic resources in Europe.

International context

EUFORGEN collaborates closely with the MCPFE Liaison Unit and other organizations based in Europe, such as the European Forest Institute (EFI) and the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO). Furthermore, in collaboration with IPGRI’s global project on forest biodiversity, EUFORGEN also interacts with several other organizations and regional programmes on forest genetic resources outside Europe.