Regional forest councils promote forest-based industries and regional co-operation in the forest sector.
The forest councils are not part of the Finnish Forest Centre's activities, but their establishment is regulated by the Finnish Forest Centre Act. The key work of the forest councils is to draw up regional forest programmes.
The objectives of the regional forest programmes arise from the regions' own development needs and the objectives of the national forest strategy. The programmes combine economic, ecological, social and cultural objectives. The main objective is the diverse and sustainable use of forests.
There is a total of fourteen forest councils and their term of office is four years. The members of the forest councils represent the actors of the forest sector, public administration, non-governmental organizations, and stakeholders. The law states that the members of the forest councils must represent a wide range of expertise that is central to the development of the province's forest-based industries.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry appoints forest councils based on a proposal from the Finnish Forest Centre. The current term of the forest councils began on 15 May 2019.
Functions of the forest councils
- The regional forest councils promote forest-based industries and co-operation in the forest sector.
- The forest councils draw up regional forest programmes in extensive co-operation as well as monitor and promote their implementation in co-operation with other actors in the region.
- The forest councils outline the allocation of funding for the promotion of sustainable forestry in their area and, if necessary, take a stand on regional programmes and plans that are important for the forest sector.
- The forest councils maintain the visibility and effectiveness of forestry and take initiatives to develop forest-related industries.
- A forest council has a maximum of 15 members. Each member has a personal substitute. Members must have a wide range of expertise in the development of the province's forest-based industries and issues related to the economic, social, and ecological sustainability of forests.