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Final Workshop

Towards the integration of PES into EU funding frameworks

Organised by EFI and Etifor | Valuing Nature, and hosted by BOKU University, this exclusive workshop brought together key European stakeholders to explore and validate how PES can be more effectively integrated into EU funding programmes, building on the latest research outcomes of the LIFE ProForPES project.

We invited a selected group of participants to ensure focused, high-quality discussions, diverse viewpoints and meaningful exchanges. Among them: selected forest owners and land managers, policymakers and public authorities, NGOs and facilitators, researchers and innovation platforms, as well as market actors and private-sector representatives.

The workshop builds on a broader process involving 500+ stakeholders, with over 120 actively engaged, combining policy screening, expert consultation and scenario-based analysis.

A big thanks to our speakers: Georg Rappold (Head of Department for Wood Policy, Bioeconomy and Innovation, Austrian Ministry), Sven Wunder (Principal Scientist, European Forest Institute) and Alessandro Leonardi (CEO, Etifor | Valuing Nature), for bringing together policy, scientific and market perspectives in a very concrete way.

 

Building on these discussions, the report D4.1 “Preliminary options for integration of PES and PES-related mechanisms into EU framework programmes” was developed. The report consolidates the key insights from the workshop and translates them into concrete options to support the integration of PES into EU funding structures.

LIFE ProForPES Scenarios

Rather than discussing PES in abstract terms, participants worked on realistic implementation scenarios. Scenarios are structured combinations of different PES design options (e.g. ecosystem services, payment mechanisms, governance, scale), used to test how these schemes can be realistically integrated into EU funding programmes and to compare alternative implementation pathways.

Workshop information

The workshop is designed to be dynamic: plenary sessions in the morning will set the stage with key results and insights, while the afternoon will be dedicated to thematic discussions and smaller working groups, allowing participants to engage more deeply and bring their expertise to the table.

Adding to the value of the day, we will count on a special guest, Dr Sven Wunder, one of the world’s leading experts and pioneers of PES, whose groundbreaking work and extensive experience have shaped the global debate on ecosystem service markets and incentives.

Throughout the day, you will have the opportunity to:
Review and validate preliminary guidelines and recommendations on the integration of PES into European frameworks, making sure they reflect the reality of practice on the ground.
Discuss concrete options for incorporating PES into financial programmes and state aid systems, identifying opportunities and barriers from your perspective.
Co-create a shared vision for the next generation of funding programmes, contributing your concerns, ideas, and priorities in an open and constructive format.
Be inspired by high-level speakers.

Are you involved in PES as a practitioner, policymaker, researcher, or supporter of PES initiatives? This workshop is an opportunity to share your experience and contribute to the ongoing discussion on how PES schemes can be better integrated into future European funding programmes.

Participation is by invitation and free of charge, to ensure focused and high-quality discussions among experts. Kindly note that participants are responsible for arranging and covering their own travel and accommodation expenses.

If you have not received an invitation but believe your expertise or network could add value, or if you’d like to suggest someone who should be involved, please contact us at info@lifeproforpes.eu.

The event was hosted by BOKU – University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, a hub of excellence in forestry and environmental sciences. 

The event is hosted by project partner BOKU – University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, a hub of excellence in forestry and environmental sciences.
BOKU – University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna,

🇪🇺 This event was co-funded by the European Union.
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

ProForPES Team