
Rapid Response
The Rapid Response mechanism is an overarching process interconnected to the FOREST EUROPE workstreams and communications activities. Emerging issues, High-Level Policy Dialogue, communication and public relations activities characterize it. It was introduced in the Work Programme 2021-24.

The Rapid Response mechanism includes the screening of available information on different sources to identify emerging issues on forest and forest-related topics and promptly react with sound science information and innovative communication products.
How it works
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Monitoring and selection
LUBo frequently screens available information on the different sources (social media, newspapers, web, etc.) and/or acquiring insights during science and policy events.
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Relevance level
LUBo uses the relevance index to assess the issues. This is a key instrument for identifying emerging issues that are in line with FOREST EUROPE declarations and resolutions’ topics (produced since 1990).
- Forest management (i.e. SFM)
- Climate change
- Economics
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Evaluation
The team needs to evaluate, among others, the level of importance of an emerging issue according to the work programme, interest of signatories and observers, key players and target group, and possible collaboration with partners.
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Output
Then they need to identify the optimal communication format considering the emerging issues details, scientific background material available, time and resources.
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Social media
Share information about scientific papers or relevant messages including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram.
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Online publication
Write a blogpost or newsletter to report the latest the scientific findings and figures for forests in Europe and their wider implications.
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Webinar
From the roots to the canopy, a series to enhance cross-sectoral knowledge exchange and target different audiences with innovative and tempting debates.
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Podcast
A podcast that highlights challenges, gaps and solutions from the FE signatory countries point of view on an emerging issue.
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High Level Policy Dialogue
This dialogue brings together ministers, high-level policy makers, environmental organizations, forest managers, researchers, youth and landowners to provide a space for knowledge exchange and promote synergies in the pan-European region.
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During the High-Level Policy Dialogue 2022, the Ministerial Decision “Supporting the recovery and sustainable management of Ukrainian forests and its forest sector” was endorsed. The FOREST EUROPE Secretariat (LUBo) actively worked for one year on implementing this initiative with the active support of signatories and observers.
The final report on the implementation of this Ministerial Decision was endorsed by the Expert Level Meeting in Dresden and is now available!
Supporting the recovery and sustainable management of Ukrainian forests and Ukraine’s forest sector – final report
Ukrainian version:

Support the implementation of this report and its policy recommendations by sharing further the results of our joint work.
Help us raise awareness, take action to support Ukraine’s precious forests, and share the report with others. We have initiated the transition of our work to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Kyiv for further implementation and will update you soon on the next steps.
Thanks for your support!
Updates on Ukrainian forest status
Ukraine continues to plant new trees
Despite of the war, Ukrainian foresters continue where it is visible and safe to plant new trees and implement the Presidential Campaign “Green Country”. This year, 112.2 million new trees were planted. All information about the Campaign and its implementation can be found here.

Source: Facebook of the State Agency of Forest Resources of Ukraine
IT technologies against corruption
The State Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine” presented the digitalization strategy aimed at transparency, consistency, and control of all production and business processes. One of the components is GPS monitoring of the movement of tracks and specialized motor vehicles in forest areas. The pilot project will start already this year. Another component is monitoring the volumes of harvested timber in terms of their actual stacking locations.
In the process of implementation of the above-mentioned strategy, it is expected the photo-fixation of loaded wood on a timber truck (currently, the regulatory framework is being approved and technical means are being purchased.) The new functionality allows the forest guard, and law enforcement entities to stop the car and compare the appearance of the timber factual loaded with the photo at the time of uploading.
The digitalization strategy of the State Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine” also includes many other areas: forest fire prevention, electronic document management, consolidation of reporting, etc.
More information can be found here.

Source: Facebook of Yuriy Bolokhovets, Head of the State Agency of Forest Resources of Ukraine.
There is no more flooding in the forests in the southern part of Ukraine
After the ruination of the Kakhovka Dam, more than 64 thou ha of forest were under the water or treated by water at different levels. After three months, the water returned to its normal level. Foresters and nature protection entities have started to evaluate consequences in a more detailed way. It should also be kept in mind that this territory might be subject to future demining as soon as the water transferred all unexploded ordnance on big territories.
As said by Ukrainian experts, more detailed consequences could be shown in a year. More details about possible consequences can be found here