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About FTP

The European hub for research and innovation in the forest-based bioeconomy

​The Forest-based Sector Technology Platform (FTP) is a European Technology Platform (ETP) dedicated to the forest-based sector. It is the meeting place for industry, forest owners and public authorities, to discuss and build up a critical mass of knowledge on common research and innovation needs for the sector, and to decide on the best ways to cooperate.


In this way, FTP delivers sound, scientific, strategic and EU-relevant information to public funding providers, thus facilitating opportunities for targeted investments in research, technological developments and innovation (RTDI).


The main aim of FTP is to develop, promote and implement a Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda, to advance competitiveness and sustainability of the forest-based sector through innovation. This is set out in FTP’s mission statement.


FTP is the primary focal point for the European Commission with regard to forest-based research and innovation. Through its strong representation in various EU advisory bodies and expert groups, FTP advises policymakers on the sector’s RTDI priorities. FTP also collaborates with other organizations in various initiatives and projects aimed at profiling the forest-based sector as the key actor in and enabler of the bioeconomy. It has been acknowledged as one of the most successful among the 38 ETPs recognized by the European Commission.


FTP is open to the entire forest-based sector. Please contact the National Support Group for your country to engage with the activities of the network at national level.


Mission

FTP’s mission is to advance the competitiveness and sustainability of the sector through innovation. The core activities managed and carried out by FTP are:

  1. To develop and promote the joint research and innovation vision of the forest-based sector in the European Research Area
  2. To develop, promote and implement the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SIRA) of the forest-based sector
  3. To facilitate maximum public funding for the benefit of the sector’s stakeholders
  4. To create opportunities for cooperative research and innovation at European level
  5. To strengthen the innovation profile of the forest-based sector 
  6. To provide an international platform in which members, industry actors, forest owners and public authorities work together to advance competitiveness, sustainability and innovation in the forest-based sector 
  7. To mobilize a critical mass of research and innovation capacity from within the sector

 

Governance

FTP is a network-based organization with a governance structure that comprises a Board, an Advisory Committee and National Support Groups (NSGs) composed of FTP’s Full and Associate members.

FTP’s management and coordination activities are carried out by a secretariat based in Brussels. FTP was founded in 2005 by four forest-based sector associations. FTP is registered under Belgium law as an international non-profit association (AISBL) no. 0809.392.942, since 10 September 2020.