In an unprecedented move, WWF-Romania, together with 75 organizations and institutions from across the country, has submitted the Manifesto „Forests – A Central Pillar for the Future of Green Investment in Europe” to the Romanian Government. The document urges a strong and visible position in the June EU negotiations, advocating for forests to be recognized as essential natural infrastructure and a strategic priority in the post-2027 EU budget.
The manifesto is endorsed by entities representing over 200,000 citizens – from forest owners, universities and local authorities, to NGOs, civic groups, and professional and economic associations – marking the broadest public support ever expressed in Romania for a coherent EU forest policy.
A decisive moment: Romania can make a difference
The Manifesto was addressed to Interim Prime Minister Cătălin Predoiu and shared with all relevant ministries. The signatories emphasize that Romania has the natural resources, technical expertise and legitimacy to request dedicated EU funding for forests, aligned with the critical services they provide: biodiversity protection, carbon storage, climate change adaptation and support for rural development.
WWF-Romania points out that key EU meetings are taking place in the coming period – including ECOFIN, the General Affairs Council and the European Council Summit – where the political and budgetary architecture of the post-2027 EU will take shape. This is a rare strategic window for Romania to clearly articulate its vision and promote forests and the sustainable forest bioeconomy as core priorities of Europe’s green transition.
What we’re asking for
The signatory organizations call on the Romanian Government to:
- Recognize forests as strategic infrastructure of the European Union;
- Secure dedicated EU funding for sustainable forest management and support for the forest bioeconomy;
- Support green investments in forested rural areas;
- Ensure fair compensation for the ecosystem services provided by forests.
This broad mobilization in Romania is backed by the European Parliament Resolution on forest policy, which explicitly calls for „dedicated funding to support foresters and farmers in the climate transition and nature conservation.” Romanian MEP Victor Negrescu, Vice-President of the European Parliament, delivered a strong message of support during the conference “Forests – A Central Pillar for the Future of Green Investment in Europe”, reaffirming the essential role of forests in the future of the European Green Deal.
“Romania must speak clearly and firmly: forests matter. Not just for nature, but for people, the economy, health, and the future. It’s time for the Government to make forests a real priority in the EU budget talks,” the Manifesto states.
Without dedicated funds, forests and communities remain unprotected
Forests cover more than 43.5% of the European Union’s territory, yet they receive disproportionately low financial support considering their vital contributions to climate regulation, biodiversity, public health, and economic resilience. Without a dedicated financing and compensation mechanism, conservation efforts remain underfunded, and the potential of forests to support a just green transition is severely compromised.
WWF-Romania and its partners remain open to collaboration with national authorities to turn this strategic opportunity into tangible benefits for nature, communities, and future generations.