Optimization of institutional - normative solutions for sustainable forest management in Slovenia (V4-2421)

Title: Optimization of institutional – normative solutions for sustainable forest management in Slovenia (V4-2421)

Head od the research team: prof. dr. Mirko Pečarič

The Forest Act, adopted in 1993, is the fundamental law in Slovenia regulating the protection, cultivation, exploitation, use and disposal of forests as a natural resource. Despite some later amendments to the law, it needs updating in the light of new challenges such as changing social values and climate change. The current situation shows ineffective implementation of planned logging, silvicultural and conservation works, and recording of actual harvesting. In 2022, only 64% of the potential harvest has been realised, with insufficient records of actual harvesting. Private forest owners are also not sufficiently involved in the planned forest management works. Moreover, the Operational Programme for the Implementation of the National Forest Programme 2022-2026 (OPNGP) highlights the low efficiency of systemic and organisational solutions and the need to optimise forest management and game management. The proposed project aims to improve the forest exploitation system, increase cooperation between stakeholders and optimise legal processes and institutional-normative solutions for a more sustainable and efficient use of forest resources.

The first part of the project focuses on the identification of legal institutions that restrict or negatively affect forest management and harvesting records. This will be done through a systematic review of reports and scientific publications, a survey of employees of the Slovenian Forest Service (ZGS) and interviews with representatives of key sectors of the ZGS. A comparative legal analysis of Slovenia’s forest management system with selected/comparable EU countries will also be carried out.

In the second part, the project focuses on the legal issues of the Forest Act, which are not limited to the interpretation of individual provisions, but also include questions of its overall, systemic, contextually-contextualised effectiveness, its consistency with other laws and the practical implementation of the legislation itself. Based on the analysis of the current situation, possible alternative solutions for improving the Forest Law will be formulated. The normative proposals will aim at improving the efficiency, fairness and clarity of the legislation governing the management, protection and exploitation of forests.

In order to ensure effective communication and constructive discussion on possible alternative solutions to improve the Forest Act, a Forest Dialogue on the legal regulation of the Forest Act will be organised. In the framework of the Forest Dialogue, stakeholder groups will discuss individual proposals for amendments to the legislation by subject area. The Forest Dialogue is a sustainable mechanism for engaging different stakeholders and allows for an interdisciplinary approach, and the guidelines for its operation are intended to contribute to its sustainable implementation. The project thus builds on the existing situation, seeks new solutions and addresses topical issues related to the regulation of forest exploitation in Slovenia.

Duration (from/to):

1. 9. 2024—30. 9. 2026

Contracting Authority:

Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency & Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food

Financing:

Project phases and their realization

The project is structured in five closely interlinked work packages (WPs). The WPs often run concurrently. They are divided into substantive work packages (WP2, WP3 and WP4) and WPs supporting the implementation and promotion of the project (WP1 and WP5). Each WP is assigned a lead and responsible investigator, a duration of the WP and the roles of each participating institution. Due to the close links and the nature of the activities foreseen, the duration of all WP’s is the same, i.e. 24 months.

WP 1: Coordination

Head of the WP1: dr. Nike Krajnc

Duration: from M1 to M6

Preparation of the interim and final reports, for internal communication and organisation of regular project team meetings and regular meetings with the Content Monitor. An important part of the coordination is the monitoring and quality control of the project results. 4 project meetings will be held.

WP 2: Overview of forest management arrangements

Head of the WP2: prof. dr. Špela Pezdevšek Malovrh

Duration: from M1 to M15

The objectives of WP 2 are:

1. Identify the legal institutions that constrain forest management.
2. analyse the forest governance systems in selected/comparable
EU countries.

Expected results:

Report on legal institutions constraining forest management in Slovenia.
Comparative overview of forest management systems in selected EU countries

WP 3: Proposal for regulatory changes

Head of the WP3: prof. dr. Mirko Pečarič

Duration: from M1 to M24

WP3 focuses on the legal issues of the GC, which are not limited to the interpretation of individual provisions, but also include questions of its overall, systemic, contextually-contextualised effectiveness, consistency with other laws and the practical implementation of the legislation itself. Resolving these problems requires revising and updating the law to ensure its clarity, fairness and effectiveness.

The objectives of WP3 are:

1. Identify the provisions of the Legislation that contravene key principles of the rule of law (lex
praevia, stricta, scripta, et certa).
2. Proposing possible alternative solutions to the legal regulation of the GG.

Intended results:

Report on the identification of the provisions of the GC that are contrary to the key principles of the rule of law.
Proposals for possible alternative solutions to the legal regulation of the GG

WP 4: Forest dialogue

Head of the WP4: Darja Stare

Duration: from M6 to M24

Constructive discussion on the proposed solutions (in WP 3) is only possible in the form of a Forest Dialogue. Therefore, in the second year of the project, we will organise a Forest Dialogue on possible alternative solutions for the legal regulation of the FGR. Stakeholder groups will be formed to discuss the different topics of the FGR.

The main objectives of WP4 are:

1. Preparation and organisation of the Forest Dialogue.
2. Implementation of the Forest Dialogue on alternative solutions to regulate the SF.

Expected results:

Guidelines for the functioning of the Forest Dialogue
Report on the functioning of the Forest Dialogue

WP 5: Communication and dissemination

Head of the WP5: Špela Ščap

Duration: from M1 to M24

The main objectives of WP5 are:

1. to ensure clear, consistent and timely communication between project partners
and between partners and stakeholders along the forest-wood chain,
2. actively involving stakeholders and key target groups in project implementation,
3. transfer of knowledge to the wider public; and
4. promotion of results among stakeholders and target groups.

Expected results:

Project website
Publication of peer-reviewed articles
Publications on social networks
Participation in professional events
Final consultation
Stakeholder network