The Forest CoLAB was one of the first Collaborative Laboratories recognized by the Foundation for Science and Technology.
The ForestWISE CoLAB is celebrating its fifth anniversary today and has brought together a number of personalities committed to promoting the forest. At a ceremony at the Eco Campus of the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, ForestWISE reviewed the work done over the last five years, focusing on innovation, sustainability, knowledge transfer, forest enhancement, sustainable development of rural areas and the reduction of major forest fires.
Carlos Fonseca, CTO of CoLAB ForestWISE, highlighted the path that has been taken, part of it in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic: “CoLAB ForestWISE has played a central role in the articulation between companies, industry, academia and the public sector, promoting innovation, research and cooperation to face the great challenges of forest management in our country, having become an undeniable player in the fields of forestry and fire in Portugal.”
Emídio Gomes, Principal of the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, mentioned that “Forestwise has been an example to follow in the field of Collaborative Laboratories, especially because of the fantastic involvement of the business sector and its interaction with the scientific and technological system.”
For his part, Miguel Silveira, Chairman of the Board of Directors of CoLAB ForestWISE and Director of Altri Florestal, reinforced the importance of CoLAB ForestWISE in the fields of forestry and fire in Portugal and, increasingly, across borders.
José Manuel Mendonça, Chairman of INESC TEC’s Board of Directors and former Chairman of the Board of CoLAB ForestWISE, highlighted the example of this “collaborative laboratory as a facilitator in the collaboration between science and industry, for the creation of effective solutions that create an impact on integrated forest and fire management”.
Isabel Ferreira, Secretary of State for Regional Development, stressed the importance of CoLAB ForestWISE in promoting sustainable regional development. Patrícia Gaspar, Secretary of State for Civil Protection, mentioned that “we need good practices that contribute to the safety of our communities, and CoLAB ForestWISE can contribute significantly to this goal”.
Isabel Ferreira, Secretary of State for Regional Development, stressed the importance of CoLAB ForestWISE in promoting sustainable regional development. Patrícia Gaspar, Secretary of State for Civil Protection, mentioned that “we need good practices that contribute to the safety of our communities, and CoLAB ForestWISE can contribute significantly to this goal”.
The celebration schedule for CoLAB ForestWISE’s fifth anniversary included the inauguration of CoLAB ForestWISE’s new headquarters, where Carlos Fonseca added that CoLAB Forest is focused on continuing its mission to promote innovation and sustainability in forest management, with a commitment to creating a safer and more resilient future for our forests and communities, centralizing the multiple competencies in the fields of forestry and fire and articulating with its associates and partners”. The day ended with the inauguration of ForestWISE’s Scientific and Business Advisory Board, which includes national and international personalities of recognized expertise in CoLAB’s areas of knowledge and activity.
COLAB FORESTWISE FACTS AND NUMBERS:
• 5 years of existence (3.5 years of activity)
• Leading three large-scale collaborative projects in an unprecedented initiative to transform the Portuguese forestry sector
• Four international projects
• + 14.5 M€ of financial volume for CoLAB ForestWISE
• 423 million euros in funding for forestry and fires (5 years)
• Networked ecosystem with more than 100 national and international partners of reference in the forest and fire value chain, responding to the challenges posed and generating impact and wealth for the country
• More than 85 indirect jobs.

More information: media@forestwise.pt