10-10- 2011 - Second Rok-FOR European Conference in Zagreb in the Organization of Croatian Forest Research Institute  At the end of October, the Croatian Forest Research Institute from Jastrebarsko is organizing a three-day professional meeting-conference in cooperation with the European RoK-FOR project. One of the important topics is “The Development of Regional Clusters,” with an emphasis on wood clusters. The objective is to present practical examples from the fields of development and operational models of wood clusters in the European Union. The organizers plan to support the expansion of wood clusters in Croatia through promoting their development and exchange of experience with clusters from other RoK-FOR project partner countries, in addition to analyzing the potential of forest sector as a renewable energy resource. The meeting will be held from 26th to 28th October this year at the International Hotel in Zagreb. Apart form regional participants, esteemed foreign lecturers, experts in their respective fields, together with the representatives of institutions already involved in RoK-FOR project are expected to appear. The conference targets primarily private forest owners and forest owners’ associations, business enterprises and business organizations, academic community, local and regional administrations, and relevant ministries. In addition to guest lecturers, Timo Tahvanainen from RoK-FOR and dr. Gerhard Weiss, regional representative of the European Forestry Institute (EFI), the participants will be addressed by the director of the Croatian Forest Research Institute, dr. sc. Dijana Vuletic. (www.rokfor.eu)

Project in brief:  RoK-FOR creates new forestry activities and contacts across Europe
 
 "Sustainable forestry produces renewable energy, sustainable construction and bio-based products"

RoK-FOR (Regions of Knowledge for Forestry) coordination project connects the forestry and environment sectors of five regions in Europe. The project will create new partnerships for actors of the regions and it will link the economy and know-how of the regions in the chain of production based on environment and natural resources.

A common European action program is compiled for the five partner regions and research, production and development projects within the sectors of bio-energy, bio-based products and wood-based construction will be started. One of the essential objectives is to organize financing for new projects.

The election of the sectors is based on the Lead Market Initiative. Through the activities it will be responded to the demand of the markets.

The regions are North Karelia in Finland, Catalonia in Spain, Baden Württenberg in Germany, Aquitaine – Basque in France – Spain and the cross-border region of Croatia – Serbia. The total number of project partners is 20. All those are well-known experts of forestry and economy.
 
Project started in February 2010 and it will take three years and it is based on forestry assets of the regions and sustainable developing of them in international sphere.

The regions will be co-operating to share the best practicies for regional solutions (forestry, innovations, competitiveness).