Slovenia National Wokshop - The importance of participatory processes

BiOEUParks slovenian partners - Slovenian Forestry Institute (SFI) and Kozjanski Regional Park (KRP) - organised on 1st December 2015 a national workshop to discuss the potential of wood biomass exploitation in Slovenia and the creation of local supply chains. 

27 participants, mainly decision makers at a governmental level, came from the Institute of Nature Protection, regional development agency, local authorities and nature parks authorities. 

After an overall introduction of the BioEUParks' objectives, representatives from KRP shared their experience and barriers on establishing a local wood biomass supply chain. Special attention was given to the different participatory processes organised, engaging multiple stakeholders. KRP introduced the type of events created and their ability on targeting diverse groups (local policy makers, potential investors, forest owners, wood biomass producers and wood biomass users). After a discussion, all participants agreed on the importance of these type of meetings for the successful implementation of local supply chains.

Moreover, SFI announced the theoretical aspects of implementing a supply chain, and used pratical examples arising from KRP. The technical guidelines can be downloaded in english or in slovenian.

By the end of the workshop, participants discussed policy measures to boost biomass production chains in Slovenia, which will be announced in Brussels, at the International Conference.