The CREAF's scientific coordinator, Enrique Doblas, will be coordinating the Node for Opportunities, Development and Environment, based on his experience as manager of the MENFRI project. The NODE will be a service-hub able to provide innovative sustainable development solutions, technical and policy advisory capacities and market opportunities. 

EU and Mediterranean partner countries face common challenges when it comes climate change, economic growth, foster social inclusion and strengthen local development.

To discuss on opportunities and ways of cooperation within the forestry sector, Mr. Almotaz Abadi (Union for  Mediterranean, UfM) and Dr. Enrique Doblas (CREAF research coordinator and manager of the MENFRI project) met recently at UfM headquarters in Barcelona.

The Mediterranean Network of Forestry Research and Innovation is well placed to contribute to UfM environmental mission, especially considering the interest of the Union in labeling projects related with forestry issues. At the same time the discussion touched also upon the opportunity to create an expert working group on the forestry subject with the objective to use its capacities as an engine of social and economic growth.

Mr. Almotaz Abadi sees the objectives of the NODE in concordance with UfM main objectives and looks at the capacities it can offer as valuable resources in the Mediterranean. The launch of the NODE is expected in November 2016 at the EU Parliament in Brussels (Belgium).