Towards the end of the year, discussions about the reform of Romsilva return to public attention. This is an important signal: change is necessary, and the public assumption of this process should be only the beginning.
A real reform, as assumed through the PNRR in relation to the European Commission, does not begin with the organizational chart, but with a transparent and participatory process for establishing clear strategic objectives, public service obligations, and relevant and ambitious performance indicators. Only after we know what results must be delivered, in the public interest of society, can we logically discuss the administrative structure and the team that will implement them.
The reform must follow the strategic directions assumed through the National Forest Strategy
The reform of Romsilva must be aligned with the principles of corporate governance assumed through the PNRR and must reflect society’s expectations regarding the management of state-owned forests deriving from the National Forest Strategy 2030.
In this regard, the central element of the reform is the clarification of expectations towards Romsilva through the supervisory authority’s “Letter of Expectations.” At present, this letter, which should define the strategic objectives and the corresponding performance indicators, is not aligned with the provisions of the National Forest Strategy 2030 and does not reflect the real expectations of society regarding the management of state forests. The existing indicators are largely irrelevant or incoherent, and the annual targets for the performance indicators appear to lack relevance in relation to the level of ambition required to support a real increase in institutional performance.
The decisive question remains: will the reform of Romsilva bring the real changes that are expected, or will it stop at a simple administrative reorganization carried out in haste in order to tick off another milestone?
The reform of Romsilva is not just an administrative issue for foresters. It is a matter of public interest, because “forests do not mean only timber.” They provide essential ecosystem services, contribute to adaptation to climate change, and to the development of local communities.
Society has legitimate expectations regarding the maintenance and improvement of ecosystem services generated by forests, as well as regarding the enhanced use and processing, at local level, of forest resources originating from public property.
The reform must strengthen the balance between economic, social, and environmental objectives, with an emphasis on biodiversity conservation, increasing forest resilience, and ensuring equitable access to resources. At the same time, it is important that the reform also focus on increasing the socio-economic contribution of the forestry sector to the sustainable development of local communities and on improving the system for combating illegal logging.s
What is missing from the current approach
At present, we do not see a real debate about:
- what concrete results Romsilva must deliver in the public interest of society;
- how performance is measured beyond profit or volume of timber;
- what targets exist for biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, or the prevention of illegal logging;
- how Romsilva contributes to local economic development and to the creation of added value;
- how excessive politicization of the institution is actually eliminated;
- what is the minimum reasonable threshold that should be assumed for reinvesting profits, given that this represents the only financial resource available for implementing reforms.
Without these reference points, any discussion about the organizational chart remains formal. The reform must be substantive, not just formal: based on objectives, results, and accountability.
Romania now has the chance to turn this reform into a model of modern governance that responds to society’s expectations. It is time to move from intentions to results.