The Mediterranean Youth Task Force contributes to intergenerational innovation dialogue during European Forest Week 2025

The Mediterranean Youth Task Force (MYTF) actively contributed to shaping Panel 2 of the European Forest Week 2025, titled “Forest Futures: Intergenerational Dialogue on Building Innovation Ecosystems.” 

The FAO European Forest Week took place as part of the 43rd Session of FAO’s European Forestry Commission, which was held alongside the Istanbul Forest Innovation Week (IFIW) and a country-led initiative on forest fires, the International Forest Fire Conference, hosted by Türkiye from 20 to 25 October 2025 in Istanbul. 

Moderated by Lucia Rivera from FAO’s Forestry Division, the session aligned with the European Forest Week’s overarching theme on innovation. It highlighted the work and research of young leaders and professionals while underscoring the importance of intergenerational collaboration in advancing forest solutions. 

Ewald Rametsteiner, Deputy Director of FAO’s Forestry Division opened the session by highlighting that youth are vital drivers of innovation in forestry. He said they are capable of addressing complex challenges but need meaningful opportunities, resources and intergenerational support in order to scale their solutions and influence the shared future of forests. 

Youth innovations are shaping forests across Europe and the Mediterranean 

The panel of experts began with Leila Rossa Mouawad and Ritikaa Gupta, who set the scene for the discussion. 

Leila Rossa Mouawad, a researcher at the American University of Beirut and a member of the MYTF, Forest Communicators Network and Mountain Youth Hub, pointed out that the future of forests needed to be co-created rather than just inherited, stressing the importance of inclusive collaboration and new ways of thinking, connecting and innovating. 

Ritikaa Gupta, a forester and member of the Forest Communicators Network, explored how communication could act as a bridge between science, policy and society by engaging diverse audiences and strengthening theirunderstanding of sustainable forest management. 

The panel also featured eight researchers and professionals presenting innovative approaches across restoration, green entrepreneurship, the circular bioeconomy and forest data monitoring. Among them, several MYTF members contributed as panellists: 

Uğur Karakoç from the General Directorate of Forestry of Türkiye, showcased “Innovating for Resilient Forests,” presenting Türkiye’s technological pathways for sustainable forest management and climate action, and highlighting the role of youth empowerment. 

Burcu Berk, a researcher at CREAF, Catalonia, Spain, and founder of FORESTORA, discussed “Forest Innovation in Action,” emphasizing how youth entrepreneurship could foster a culture of innovation and resilience in forestry. 

Edoardo Nevola from WWF Italy presented “The Age of Fire” and underscored that collaboration with local communities was essential for effective, long-term forest protection and restoration. 

Beyond the MYTF, other speakers from other youth networks and institutions also shared their insights. 

Elaine Parlade, a PhD candidate at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, explored how creativity and citizen engagement could amplify innovation in climate-smart forestry and restoration. 

Gülsah Balamut, a senior R&D executive at Kastamonu Entegre, showed how forest-based industries were driving the circular bioeconomy by turning waste into renewable, award-winning materials. 

Marina Martínez Miguel, a PhD researcher at the University of Valladolid in the Ecohydraulics Research Group (GEA) and a member of the International Forestry Students’ Association (IFSA) of Palencia, talked about advances in data-driven, adaptive forest management, which were made possible using open data and intelligent decision-support tools. 

Esin Batir, a PhD researcher with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Türkiye, the University of Rome Tor Vergata, and a member of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration Youth Task Force, highlighted how youth-led innovations were linking forests and water systems through integrated restoration. 

Stojan Ivanovic, an MSc student at BOKU University, Vienna, discussed how collaborative networks across institutions were shaping innovation funding in Europe, highlighting the importance of inclusive partnerships for advancing research capacity. 

Fostering intergenerational collaboration 

An interactive intergenerational dialogue moderated by Anouar Lihyaoui from the National Agency for Water and Forests in Morocco and a member of MYTF, encouraged open discussions between the panellists and the audience, which included students, policymakers, researchers and forestry professionals. The exchange fostered a dynamic environment for shared learning, highlighting pathways for strengthening the policy, institutional and financial ecosystems that support youth-led innovation. 

Recalling the Youth call for action: Empowering youth in forestry and agriculture, the discussion also reaffirmed the importance of meaningful youth participation in decision-making processes. 

To close the session, Bora Karataş, Vice-President of IFSA, emphasized that the next generation was ready to shape the future of forestry. He highlighted the need for mentorship, intergenerational exchange, and more opportunities to incorporate youth perspectives into innovation and decision-making. 

Through the active participation of young professionals, the session showcased the power of intergenerational collaboration and youth leadership in accelerating innovation, strengthening forest resilience, and promoting inclusive governance across the Mediterranean and beyond. 

Lucia Rivera