Business-oriented action plan for Sudden Large-scale Forest Damages (SLFD)

The risks of forest damage are increasing as a result of climate change. The SLFD project develops sustainable solutions through Finnish-Swedish cooperation to anticipate, manage, and minimize the harmful economic impacts of severe forest damage.

Access the project’s official website via this link: https://www.interregaurora.eu/approved-projects/slfd/(Opens in a new window)

Project Background:

The project is driven by climate change and its connection to increased risks of sudden, large-scale forest disturbances (SLFD) in the Interreg Aurora region of Finland and Sweden. While forest disturbances are a natural part of ecosystem dynamics, events such as storms, wildfires, severe insect outbreaks, and fungal diseases can cause significant material and economic losses for forestry and forest-based companies.

Project Objectives:

The objective of the project is to improve preparedness for large-scale and sudden forest disturbances through cross-border cooperation between Finland and Sweden.

Based on data collection and analysis, climate scenarios, economic assessments, and stakeholder perspectives, the project will develop preparedness and response plans to support practical decision-making and forest disturbance management in the event of major and severe forest damage incidents. These plans will take into account the roles, responsibilities, and cooperation models of different actors involved in forest disturbance management.

At the same time, the project will promote sustainable forest management models and value chains while strengthening cross-border cooperation and sustainable development within the Interreg Aurora region in Finland and Sweden.

Project Implementation, Activities and Work Packages:

• WP1 Information Gathering and Background Study: Information collection and background analysis, carried out together with stakeholders, on significant large-scale forest disturbances within the project area
• WP2 Assessment of the Economic Impacts of Forest Disturbances: Evaluation of the economic consequences of major forest damage events
• WP3 Stakeholder Engagement and Adaptation Strategies: Involvement of stakeholders and development of strategies for adapting to forest disturbances
• WP4 Development of Preparedness and Action Plans: Preparation of contingency and operational plans for the most significant forest disturbance scenarios

Project management and communication activities are integrated into all work packages.

Expected Results, Metrics and Indicators:

Output Indicators:

• 2 jointly developed cross-border solutions / operational models
• 2 strategies and action plans (in Finnish and Swedish)
• 1 cross-border pilot implementation
• 6 organizations cooperating across national borders

Result Indicators:

• 2 jointly developed cross-border strategies and action plans (Finland and Sweden)
• 4 organizations continuing cross-border cooperation after the project ends. This will require the identification of follow-up activities and projects, as well as the development of new project initiatives, for example in authority cooperation, education collaboration, and potential cooperation in the agricultural sector.

Project Partners:

The project is coordinated by Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences (SEAMK). In Finland, the Finnish Forest Centre participates through its operations in South Ostrobothnia, Central Ostrobothnia, and the Swedish-speaking region of Ostrobothnia (Österbotten). The Swedish partners are Skogsstyrelsen (the Swedish Forest Agency), which corresponds to the Finnish Forest Centre, and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). The project activities in Sweden are focused on the Västerbotten region.

Target Groups:

The project’s primary target groups and stakeholders include:

• Forestry sector organizations
• Public administration and authorities
• Forest industry companies
• Forest machine contractors
• MTK (The Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners)
• Forest owners
• Forestry education and research organizations
• Fire and rescue services

Project Duration:

The project runs from 1 September 2026 to 28 February 2029.

Project Budget:

The total project budget is €999,740, of which €649,381 is funded by the EU Interreg Aurora Programme. Region Västerbotten has granted €132,090 in national co-financing to the Swedish project partners, while the Regional Council of Lapland has allocated €115,488 in national co-financing to the Finnish partners. In addition, the project partners contribute their own funding. The project does not require private-sector financing.

Budget by Partner:

• Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences (SEAMK): €218,400
• Finnish Forest Centre: €252,980
• Skogsstyrelsen: €222,320
• Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU): €306,040