WOOD IS THE FUTURE!: The Adriatic Wood Days conference is closed
The fifth edition of Adriatic Wood Days conference in Dubrovnik has finished after three days. 160 participants from Croatia, Region and abroad had engaged in the rich programme in the Congress centre of the Sheraton Hotel. The conference started on Sunday (1/12) with the study visit to Mediterranean forests in Konavle and continued on Monday and Tuesday (2-3/12) with the exchange of experiences, knowledge and sectoral innovations all combined in various panel discussions, presentations, workshops and discussions. Learn more »
WOOD & EU FUNDS: ROSEWOOD as a Good Project Example
An important part of the AWD conference programme will be related to EU projects and funding – an EU project idea market, a stock-exchange-like platform that opens a space for participants (companies, R&D institutions, associations, consultants…) to express their ideas and collaborate with each other on projects.
Representatives of regional clusters, sectoral associations, institutions and companies from the Croatia and SEE region, have started the initiatives for project ideas with aim to improve wood-processing sector and forestry and especially to promote wood as an environmentally and renewable material.
One of the partners in this workshop will be Competence Centre Vinkovci, which will present ROSEWOOD project financed under Horizon 2020 aims to facilitate the transfer of experience and innovative solutions in sustainable forestry, contributing to the sustainable use of raw wood materials in Europe.
ROSEWOOD started implementation in February 2018 with the aim of setting up a network for the sustainable use of raw wood material. Four regional centers, launched within the project, will create a platform for regional and international exchange of experiences and innovative solutions. By linking stakeholders within the value chain in forestry and wood industry, ROSEWOOD will overcome existing lack of knowledge, encourage the takeover of new ideas and create prerequisites for economic partnerships between different stakeholders and regions.
Within AWD 2019, the project managers will have a presentation of ROSEWOOD Roadmaps for Central Europe (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), East Europe (Croatia, Romania, Slovenia), South Europe (Spain, France, Italy) and North Europe (Finland and Scandinavia) along with the best practices and innovations identified in the framework of the ROSEWOOD network. www.rosewood-network.eu
VISIT MEDITERRANEAN FORESTS: Interesting Study Visit Before the Conference
On Sunday, December 1st, there will be a study visit to the Mediterranean forest near Dubrovnik. Mediterranean forests in Croatia account for 24% of total forest area.
Kilometers of coastline, blue sea and mountain ranges make the area of the Croatian Mediterranean a specific area. The mild climate of the Mediterranean forests favored the development of wildlife.
Most forests in southern Croatia consist of Allepo pine and holly oak. They are accompanied by evergreen broadleaved plants such as the strawberry tree, mock privet, tree heath, mastic, common myrtle and laurestine, occasionally carob tree, wild oliveo and bay laurel.
The study visit starts at 14.00 and ends at 18.00 o’clock.
INTERNATIONAL CLUSTER WORKSHOP: Role of Clusters in the Regional Development in the post 2020 Funding Period
Smart specialisation strategies are key elements of a new, more result-oriented Cohesion Policy focusing on growth through innovation, which is now being implemented. It helps regions at different stages of development to focus on their strengths, to position themselves in global value chains and to team up to build strategic partnerships across Europe with other regions that have complementary strength in similar priority areas.
Clusters and cluster policies can facilitate this process and help to maximise the impact of the EUR 121 billion of European Structural and Investment Funds allocated to investment in research and innovation guided by smart specialisation strategies.
The implementation of these strategies promises to trigger industrial modernisation processes and create more productive, diversified and resilient economies. It should in particular contribute to providing small and medium-sized enterprises – the backbone of the EU economy – with better support and investment opportunities.
Don’t miss the opportunity to learn how can clusters strengthen their role in the regional development for the next funding period (2021-2027). Registration link
EUROPEAN BIOMASS LEADERS IN DUBROVNIK: News on Policies and Certification Schemes
BIOENERGY EUROPE, a non-profit Brussels-based international organization which brings together national associations and companies from all over Europe, will be one of the main partners of the event.
Wood pellets, as sustainable, eco-friendly and cost-effective solution for producing heat and power, are more and more popular every year, but still not enough. European households still mainly use unsustainable fuels, so Bioenergy Europe’s main agenda is to promote new, green ways of heating.
Also, the organization recently released its 2019 Statistical Report, focusing on pellet. Statistics are continuing to show that the EU28 is producing nearly 17 million tonnes (nearly 10% growth in 2018 compared to 2017) of pellets; with production plants now being widespread all over Europe.
This increase in production coinciding with the creation of new plants has led to local jobs and indeed value in the sector being created. The sustained growth of this market, 4% between 2018 and 2017, exemplifies why pellets are leading the way in this ever-evolving market. www.bioenergyeurope.org
IMPORTANT SECTORAL TOPICS: Forest Management, Construction, Timber Trade, Biomass and Bioeconomy
As usual, AWD 2019 will cover four thematically related international conferences in the field of forestry, wood processing, bioeconomy, bioenergy and biomass, furniture production and creative industries. Leading experts will analyze the current situation in these sectors and seek solutions for improvement opportunities.
AWD is the largest and most comprehensive sectoral event in this part of Europe, and the participants will adopt conclusions and propose recommendations to decision-makers of sectoral policies at the regional, European and global level.
SAVE THE DATE: Adriatic Wood Days Conference Is Back!
The 5th edition of the Adriatic Wood Days will be held in Dubrovnik at the beginning of December (2.-3.12.2019).
During two days, this central sectoral conference in the Mediterranean will host a numerous sectoral experts, important policy makers and other relevant stakeholders from business, academia, media, R&D, etc, which will discuss topics related to product design, greater use of wood in construction, managing forests on islands, timber trade and wood products marketing, positions of biomass and bioenergy, importance of quality and certification and many other.
Participate at this prestigious gathering of wood processing and forestry sectors in Southeast Europe and the Mediterranean, and seize the opportunity to obtain the most current information at the European and regional level concerning the state of the sector and future development directions, and to network with the targeted partners!
Adriatic Wood Days 2018: Croatia has Knowledge and Quality Raw Material for World Competitive Wood Products
Croatian forestry and wood processing industry grows and achieves excellent export results year after year, but for the sake of greater use of a single quality raw material such as Slavonian oak, it is necessary to additionally brand the entire industry as well as the final products themselves into a unique, recognizable export product, but more active role of the government is expected.
Croatia celebrated Bioenergy day with numerous activities on 25th October!
Considering the promotion and better understanding of renewable energy sources and the role of bioenergy, European lobbying association Bioenergy Europe started a promotional campaign last year in 20 European countries, with a goal of establishing a tradition of celebrating the European Bioenergy Day. As a full member of Bioenergy Europe, Croatian Biomass Association CROBIOM joined the campaign, along with many national and international partners across Europe, marking the Croatian Bioenergy Day on 25th October.
On this occasion on 25th October Croatian media promoted the use of RES and their benefits for human and the environment. Also, Croatian Forests Ltd organized a demonstration in Radinje to show technologies for shredding energy wood. On this opportunity Croatian Forests announced a series of new investments in forestry equipment and technology to mobilize additional quantities of wood , which would reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports and achieve significant financial savings of budget resources.
At the end of the day, in Zagreb was held a roundtable on biogas and biomass status in energy strategies of the Republic of Croatia as the central activity of the Croatian Bioenergy Day with the aim of raising awareness of the position of bioenergy in the national energy strategy and raising awareness of the need for greater institutional and social support.
ADRIATIC WOOD DAYS 2018 – Applications are Open!
The 4th edition of the Adriatic Wood Days (www.adriatic-wd.com) will be held in Dubrovnik at the beginning of December (3-4.12.2018).
During two days, this central sectoral FBI event in the Mediterranean will host a numerous sectoral experts, important policy makers and other relevant stakeholders from business, academia, media, etc., which will, on the joint platforom of 4 conferences and 3 workshops, discuss topics related to:
· Hotel interiors furnishing and product design · Greater use of wood in construction · Managing forests on islands · Timber trade and wood products marketing · Future of biomass and RES: Position of pellets and cogeneration in RED II directive · Organizing the sector through clusters and associations · Importance of quality and certification.
In addition to these topics, an important part of the programme will be related to EU projects and funding – an EU project idea market, a stock-exchange-like platform that opens a space for participants (companies, R&D institutions, associations, consultants…) to express their ideas and collaborate with each other on projects. Representatives of regional clusters, sectoral associations, institutions and companies from the Croatia and SEE region, have started the initiatives for project ideas with aim to improve wood-processing sector and forestry and especially to promote wood as an environmentally and renewable material. One of the partners in this workshop will be North-West Croatia Regional Energy Agency, which will present RenewHeat developed and financed by Interreg IPA CBC. Other numerous projects and valuable experiences in developing project activities, will be also presented at AWD.
Don’t miss the opportunity to inform and get informed! Come to Dubrovnik and find out how:
AWD presents market developments and show the trends in the related subsectors to the sector companies, their owners and managers;
AWD ensures interaction with relevant national and the EU officers responsible for the preparation of future policies and strategies, with stakeholders, sector associations, clusters and NGOs, to exchange useful ideas and professional opinions;
AWD gives an insight into the existing technological equipment of the sector and provides an opportunity for technologies and services suppliers to present innovative solutions that will increase the sector competitiveness;
AWD in Dubrovnik is a great opportunity for meeting and networking with many important stakeholders!
You have an interesting lecture you would like to present? Or project idea and would like to find the consortium partners?
More information and application: rsimunovic@drvniklaster.hr or +385 98 9282610 (Ms. Rosana Šimunović)
