From Strategic Alignment to Implementation Gaps: Forest Research and Innovation Agendas in Central-Eastern and South-Eastern Europe

Abstract

Forest-based innovation is increasingly important for Europe’s transition towards a sustainable and circular bioeconomy, yet the extent to which macro-regional research and innovation priorities in Central-Eastern and South-Eastern Europe (CEE/SEE) align with broader European agendas remains insufficiently understood. This study examines strategic alignment and perceived implementation capacity by comparing the forestry-related priorities of the BIOEAST Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) with the pan-European EUFORE SRIA and complementing this document analysis with semi-structured expert interviews conducted in Slovakia, Croatia and Czechia. Strategic priorities were compared using a structured qualitative alignment matrix, while interview data were analysed thematically to identify perceived innovation priorities, barriers, opportunities, and future needs. The comparison reveals substantial strategic alignment, particularly in forest resilience, sustainable forest management, wood value chains, circular bioeconomy and knowledge transfer. However, the interviews identify persistent constraints related to administrative complexity, fragmented support systems, weak innovation culture, technology and knowledge transfer, and the limited implementation capacity of some actor groups, particularly smaller businesses and private forest owners. The findings therefore suggest that the principal challenge is less a conflict between strategic priorities than a gap in perceived implementation capacity. Strengthening macro-regional coordination, innovation-support mechanisms, knowledge transfer, and actor-specific capacity may facilitate more effective participation of the three studied national contexts in European forest research and innovation.