2nd SMURF open call for small forest owners’ organisations.

The 2nd SMURF open call is a funding opportunity aimed at small forest owners' organizations throughout the 27 EU member states, promoting sustainable forest management through innovative business practices and capacity building. The call opens for submissions on April 9, 2025, and will close on July 2, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time. The total funding available for this initiative is €825,000, with individual grants of up to €60,000 per organization, reduced to €55,000 for previous recipients.

The application process is single-stage, requiring online submissions through the SMURF platform. Applicants will undergo an admissibility check followed by an evaluation by a committee based on specific award criteria. Final decisions and rankings will be announced on October 3, 2025, and applications must be submitted in English.

The SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT MODELS AND VALUE CHAINS FOR SMALL FORESTS (SMURF) project encourages organizations to implement 10 innovative business models, develop demonstrations of Close-to-Nature Silviculture, and execute pilot carbon projects. Additionally, beneficiaries will have opportunities to participate in training sessions, national working groups, and a conference aimed at fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration among forest associations and cooperatives in the EU.

The initiative aligns with the EU Forest Strategy and seeks to optimize sustainable production of wood and non-wood products in small forest properties. It provides not only monetary support but also access to training, digital tools, and a knowledge-sharing network to enhance the implementation of closer-to-nature forestry practices. The call aims to fund at least 40 organizations, bolstering their capacity to contribute to sustainable forest management and ecosystem service monetization. Further information can be obtained from the SMURF project website or via email.

The 2nd SMURF open call for small forest owners’ organisations is now open.

The opening date for submissions is April 9, 2025. The deadline for submissions is July 2, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time. The deadline model is single-stage. The expected duration of participation is from the signing of the Grant Agreement until July 31, 2027. The total funding available is 825,000 EUR. The project acronym is SMURF. The full name of the EU-funded project is Sustainable Management models and valUe chains foR small Forests. The grant agreement number is 101135516. The topic is HORIZON-CL6-2023-CircBio-01-12 - Optimising the sustainable production of wood and non-wood products in small forest properties and development of new forest-based value chains.

The SMURF project will launch its second call for applications on 9 April 2025 at 08:00 CET. Two online information sessions are scheduled for 30 April and 28 May at 11:00 CET. The deadline for submission is 2 July at 17:00 CET. Organisations may submit a single application via the SMURF website, using the forms provided through this platform. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Once submitted, applications will undergo an admissibility and eligibility check. Eligible applications will then be assessed by the Evaluation Committee based on the specific award criteria and guidelines for this call. Final decisions and rankings will be announced on 3 October 2025. Applications must be submitted in English.

Details are available at www.smurfproject.eu. The email address for further information is info@smurfproject.eu.

The 2nd SMURF open call for small forest owners' organisations continues the work started by the first call, further enhancing their participation in the activities of the SMURF project. Running from 9 April to 2 July 2025, this call will provide up to €825,000 in grants, with each organisation eligible for up to €60,000 (up to €55,000 for recipients of the first call). The goal is to fund at least 40 organisations, fostering knowledge exchange and networking among forest associations and cooperatives throughout all 27 EU member states.

Aligned with the EU Forest Strategy, the SMURF project aims to promote sustainable forest management by developing innovative organisational and business models tailored to small forest properties. It provides new management approaches, training, digital tools, and policy guidelines to support closer-to-nature forestry practices and establish standardised remuneration systems for ecosystem services. To achieve this, the project fosters a knowledge-sharing network among forest associations.

For this second call, funded organisations are expected to: drive the implementation of 10 innovative business opportunities; take the lead in the development of 10 Close to Nature Silviculture (CNS) demo stands; participate actively in one of the 7 training sessions focused on CNS practices, to be held across Europe; drive the execution of 5 innovative pilot carbon projects; engage actively in one of the 15 National Working Groups promoted by the project; attend the 2nd Conference on Small Forest Holdings; and play a key role in the joint communication and dissemination activities of the SMURF project.

In summary, the 2nd SMURF open call aims to support small forest owner organizations across the EU in adopting sustainable forest management practices. The call provides funding and opportunities for knowledge exchange, training, and networking. The project aligns with the EU Forest Strategy and focuses on developing innovative business models, promoting closer-to-nature forestry, and establishing standardized remuneration systems for ecosystem services. Funded organizations will be expected to actively participate in various project activities, including implementing business opportunities, developing demo stands, participating in training sessions, executing pilot carbon projects, engaging in national working groups, attending conferences, and contributing to communication and dissemination efforts. The call provides grants of up to 60,000 EUR per organization (up to 55,000 EUR for recipients of the first call) and aims to fund at least 40 organizations. The overall goal is to enhance the participation of small forest owners in sustainable forest management and foster a knowledge-sharing network among forest associations.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are small forest owners' organisations, forest associations, and cooperatives.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant. Specifically, it is cascade funding provided through the SMURF project.

Consortium Requirement: A single application is required, implying that a single applicant is needed, not a consortium.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is for organizations throughout all 27 EU member states.

Target Sector: The target sector is agriculture/food, specifically focusing on forestry and sustainable forest management. It also touches on climate through carbon projects and innovation through new business models and digital tools.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity is open to organizations in all 27 EU member states.

Project Stage: The project stage appears to be focused on implementation, demonstration, and development of innovative business opportunities and practices, suggesting a stage beyond pure research and more towards validation and demonstration.

Funding Amount: The total funding available is €825,000. Each eligible organization can receive up to €60,000, with a slightly lower maximum of €55,000 for recipients of the first call.

Application Type: The application type is an open call.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of grants. They will also receive non-monetary services such as training, access to digital tools, and participation in networking activities and working groups.

Application Stages: The application process appears to be single-stage, with an admissibility and eligibility check followed by assessment by the Evaluation Committee.

Success Rates: The goal is to fund at least 40 organizations, and given the total funding of €825,000, the success rate is likely to be in the 10 to 39% range, but this is an estimate.

Co-funding Requirement: The information provided does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required.

Summary:

The 2nd SMURF open call is a funding opportunity for small forest owners' organizations, forest associations, and cooperatives located within the 27 EU member states. The call, part of the broader SMURF project, aims to promote sustainable forest management by supporting the implementation of innovative business models and closer-to-nature forestry practices. The total funding available is €825,000, with individual grants of up to €60,000 per organization (€55,000 for previous recipients). The call is open from April 9, 2025, to July 2, 2025.

Successful applicants will be expected to drive the implementation of innovative business opportunities, lead the development of Close to Nature Silviculture (CNS) demo stands, participate in training sessions, drive innovative pilot carbon projects, engage in National Working Groups, attend a conference, and contribute to communication and dissemination activities. The SMURF project provides not only financial support but also access to training, digital tools, and a knowledge-sharing network. The application process is single-stage, with applications submitted in English via the SMURF website. The project aligns with the EU Forest Strategy and aims to optimize the sustainable production of wood and non-wood products in small forest properties and develop new forest-based value chains. The full name of the EU funded project is Sustainable Management models and valUe chains foR small Forests, with grant agreement number 101135516 and topic HORIZON-CL6-2023-CircBio-01-12. The expected duration of participation is from the signing of the Grant Agreement until July 31, 2027.