Forêt

The Schönbuchturm is a lookout tower east of Herrenberg in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. This walk-in wooden structure draws attention to the construction with wood. Notably is the use of regional wood (larch heartwood). The industry involved in the construction also comes from the area.
The main goals of the project are:
Regional added value / value chain
Architecture & wood usage
Public visibility

Drawing attention to the possibilities of wood construction and architecture as well as regional sustainable value chain

The thematic focus is on the sustainable design of the entire value chain in the field of (tropical) forest and (tropical) wood. A project in Germany is a digital forest monitoring. The main idea is the development of an app that collects decentralized data in the forest and consolidates them on a platform. Based on this information, the app shall automatically offer information and recommend actions. The app enables forest owners to collect data even if they do not possess subject-specific knowledge. This tool facilitates the cultivation of forest and helps to make it more efficient. Furthermore, due to the easy application, more wood can be mobilized.

Accomplishment of several projects

Providing forest service for sustainable forest management. Members are mainly private and municipal forest enterprises. The main goals are :
The commercial business objective is to optimize the revenues of forest owners by overcoming structural disadvantages through the association.
The FVS eG wants to preserve and promote regional forestry structures. This is why FVG eG mainly uses local companies to provide the offered services.
Close and trusting cooperation with customers in the sawmill and wood industry

One of the biggest forest association in Germany

·         A land-consolidation procedure aimed at reorganizing land, including forestland. During the restructuring process, mostly smaller scattered areas (fragmented land) are combined to larger and thus more effective usable areas. The reason for the previous fragmentation is the „real division“. Landscaping also includes the creation of paths, roads and waters as well as similar public facilities.
The main goals of this process are:
Better and more efficient cultivation
Maximum possible benefit for all stakeholders and public
Increase in value

Improving land occupancy

· The cooperative aims to support private forest owners and to provide a reliable source of wood to the industry. Three main goals were highlighted: Common sale of wood adapted to the industry’s needs Support of forest cultivation Increase efficiency for joint selling at fair market value Many advantages because of the positive effects due to cooperation Many advantages because of the positive effects due to cooperation

RegioHOLZ connects players of the wood and furniture industry targeting the entire value chain. The goal is to create synergies through exchange and cooperation. Furthermore, the network organizes dialogue forums and other events. The team offers expert knowledge and contacts for the entire forestry and wood industry.  The cluster initiative involves around 20 companies from the wood value chain in the region.

Personal contact and trust is the key to improve regional networks successfully.

Regular meetings, events, workshops, joint trade fair appearances, networking, information and knowledge transfer, initiation of cooperation’s and collaborative projects, initiatives in education and training

Holzkette Schwarzwald is an association of representatives of the forestry and wood industry as well as communities and individuals. Their goal is to promote the cooperation across various stages of timber products from forest owner to final consumer.%Furthermore, the association is aiming to strengthen the wood sector in general, especially in the Black Forest. At present, the association has 200 members, among them 12 communities: Bonndorf, Breitnau, Eisenbach, Feldberg, Friedenweiler, Hinterzarten, Löffingen, Lenzkirch, St.Märgen, St.Peter, Titisee - Neustadt and Schluchsee.%The association was established based on the EURES study "Standortinitiative Hochschwarzwald" commissioned by the municipalities of Löffingen, Lenzkirch and Titisee-Neustadt in 1996. %In particular, the study highlights the importance of the wood sector to the regional labor market in the Black Forest (24% of the workforce in the Black Forest depends on wood).

Personal contact and trust is the key to improve regional networks successfully.

Every 2 years the Holzkette organizes an event called Holztage. This event always take place in a membership community in the Black Forest.
Several information events and expert conventions as well as a fair take place during the Holztage.

Holzforum Allgäu is the only regional organization in the wood industry, in which all members of the value chain are represented: Forest administration and private forest owners, sawmilling industry, cabinetmakers, carpenters, wood construction entrepreneurs and energy specialists as well as architects.
The basic idea of the Holzforum Allgäu is to promote domestic wood and regional products from tree to building. Moreover, a goal is to create new sales opportunities through contacts between the individual sectors. 

Personal contact and trust is the key to improve regional networks successfully.

Accomplishment of several projects along the chain of custody focusing on the regional added value. Holzforum Allgäu is also starting to implement a regional certification of origin to rise the sensitivity for regional products.

In order to strengthen the competitiveness of forestry and timber industry and to promote the use of wood, eleven regional partner institutions founded the regional cluster initiative proHolz Schwarzwald. An important basis for this initiative is the high importance of forest and wood in the Black Forest. In particular, forestry, wood and sawing industry as well as carpentries have a high performance and great potential for innovations. proHolz Schwarzwald provides a information platform for industry members and the public about forestry, wood and timber constructions.

Bringing together regional networks and motivating partners are the key to success. Working on a personal level is the most important key to implement a successful network.

Accomplishment of several projects along the chain of custody focusing on the regional added value.

·         Forst und Holz Allgäu-Oberschwaben is a joint project of communities, municipals, companies and planners to strengthen the network along the value chain. It also serves as an informative platform on a regional level.
The top goal is to spread the excitement for wood. Other main goals are:
Secure the usage of wood from local forests and provide wood produced by a sustainable forestry
Working together to promote wood usage in the Allgäu-Oberschwaben region
Increase the benefit by strengthening the regional chain of custody.

The personal contact and trust is the key to improve regional networks successfully.

Accomplishment of several projects along the chain of custody focusing on the regional added value.