Project Small4Good

Sustainable multifunctional management by small forest owners in support of bioeconomy, biodiversity and climate

Web page: small4good.eu

The Small4Good project was developed in response to the growing challenges faced by Europe’s small forest owners, who collectively manage a significant proportion of forested land but often lack the resources, expertise, and support to implement sustainable management practices. Small4Good recognises that empowering these landowners to adopt multifunctional approaches to forest management is crucial to achieving Europe’s biodiversity and climate goals.

This initiative equips smallholders with innovative tools and knowledge, from digital technologies to AI-driven decision-making, enabling them to improve ecosystem health, contribute to climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration, and support rural economies. Through Small4Good, smallholder forest owners will play a key role in the transition to a resilient bioeconomy that benefits both local communities and the wider environment.

Our role in the project

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Project objectives

Improve the contributions of small-forest owners to the EU Forest Strategy 2030.

Halt the loss of biodiversity and mitigate & adapt to climate change.

Improve the multifunctional role of Europe’s forest.

Develop digital solutions for forest management.

Main results

management models

Regional & local management models for small-scale forest holdings.

Understanding the dynamics

Understanding of small-scale forest owners’ dynamics for multifunctional management.

Multifunctional management

forest is managed for carbon, biodiversity & timber productions than for one main purpose (i.e timber).

Implementation of improved guidelines

Implementation of improved guidelines on carbon farming and PES adapted for small-forest owners.

Development of sustainable rural areas

Development of sustainable rural areas and integration of small-scale forest owners in the bioeconomy value chains.

Improvement of the quantity and quality

Improvement of the quantity and quality of EU forests.

Expected impact

The Small4Good project generates significant scientific, socio-environmental, and economic impacts aimed at transforming small-forest management across Europe.

Scientifically, it enhances understanding in key areas: motivations for active multifunctional management, viable business models supported by Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) and carbon farming, development of multifunctional management models, and use of AI-based digital tools. This knowledge will lead to more effective and sustainable forest management practices.

At the socio-environmental level, the project promotes the multifunctional role of Europe’s forests, emphasising sustainable management practices that contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation while fostering biodiversity. This approach is in line with the EU’s objectives for climate resilience and environmental health, and reinforces the role of forests in carbon sequestration and ecological diversity.

Economically, Small4Good supports the transition to a fair and inclusive bioeconomy. The active implementation of PES schemes and carbon farming can diversify the income of small forest owners and thus contribute to a more resilient rural economy.

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