European Forest Institute

The European Forest Institute (EFI) is an international organisation established by European States. By the spring of 2011, a total of 23 European States had ratified the Convention on EFI, namely Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom. With its about 120 Associate and Affiliate Member organisations, five Regional Offices and one Project Centre, it offers the best forest research contacts and acknowledged collaboration at the European level. The Headquarters of the Institute are in Joensuu, Finland. EFI conducts research and provides policy advice on forest related issues. Further, it facilitates and stimulates forest related networking as well as promotes the supply of unbiased and policy relevant information on forests and forestry. It also advocates for forest research and for scientifically sound information as a basis for policy-making on forests. EFI’s work in the field of policy advice includes enhanced support for decision takers and policy makers. It has a strong policy advice role by hosting the EU FLEGT Facility which supports the EU Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) process in developing countries, related to the implementation of the EU FLEGT Action Plan. EU FLEGT Facility assists the European Commission and the EU Member States in their joint efforts of its implementation.