Empowering small forest owners to achieve EU Forest Strategy goals
Forests provide a wide range of vital ecosystem services, including biodiversity conservation, carbon storage, water regulation and recreational opportunities. Multifunctional forest management aims to safeguard these services while allowing for sustainable economic use, such as timber production. However, achieving this balance is becoming increasingly difficult due to pressures from climate change, land-use change, economic fragmentation and complex regulatory environments. Small forest owners are particularly exposed to these challenges, often lacking the resources and support needed to manage their land effectively. The Small4Good (S4G) project addresses these risks by developing practical, incentive-based solutions. By promoting regionally adapted strategies, developing digital and AI tools and supporting innovative funding mechanisms like Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES), S4G helps smallholders contribute to the objectives of the EU Forest Strategy through sustainable, multifunctional forest management.
By: Pierre LE MAITRE, EU Project and Policy officer, ELO
