During the summer of 2026, Pannon EGTC organised three online knowledge-building workshops within the Pannon Future Forest project. Held on 4 June, 16 July and 11 August, the sessions aimed to bring together professional and economic actors to explore innovative business opportunities based on forests and other natural assets and to identify ideas, companies and experts that could contribute to the next phases of the project.
The workshops brought together forestry companies, universities, professional organisations and chambers, public authorities, nature conservation actors, tourism professionals, entrepreneurs and innovators. The discussions were supported by the project’s benchmark study, which presents Hungarian, Croatian, Slovenian and other European examples of emerging forest-based green economy solutions.
Nine areas with multiple opportunities for cooperation
The discussions focused on nine thematic areas: sustainable forestry and digitalisation; wood-based design; agroforestry; voluntary carbon and biodiversity markets; nature-based solutions; green business models; environmental education, recreation and wellbeing; non-wood forest products; and the visitor economy and regenerative tourism.
One of the key findings of the workshops was that these themes are rarely isolated in practice. Some of the most promising business opportunities emerge at the intersection of different sectors, for example by combining forestry and digital technology, forest environments and health services, local products and tourism, or nature conservation and corporate finance.
Participants also highlighted the importance of measurability. Ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, biodiversity enhancement, water retention or the health and social benefits of forest recreation can only form the basis of credible business models if the value created and the resulting impact can be clearly demonstrated.
Concrete ideas emerged from the discussions
The three workshops also generated several ideas with clear potential for further development.
In digital forestry, an existing service using high-resolution drone imagery and artificial intelligence to identify plant species, including invasive species, was presented. Forestry actors also identified further opportunities to use multispectral and thermal drones to monitor forest health and better understand environmental pressures affecting forest stands.
A particularly strong area of potential cooperation emerged around nature-based health and wellbeing services. A comprehensive healing and wellness forest concept was introduced, combining a physical forest environment for activities such as forest bathing, walking coaching and other recreational services with a digital platform connecting service providers and suitable locations. Another participant brought health science and research experience that could contribute to the measurement and scientific validation of such a concept.
Universities also emerged as important contributors to future idea development. At the University of Pécs, students could work on Pannon Future Forest challenges as real-life project assignments, while the University of Sopron and its professional and alumni networks could contribute expertise in ecosystem service valuation, bioeconomy, ecotourism and business development.
The workshops also underlined the importance of catalyst organisations. Chambers, clusters, professional associations, universities and other intermediary networks can help reach smaller businesses, forest owners and professionals who might otherwise be difficult to engage through a conventional project call. The Hungarian Chamber of Agriculture, for example, offered its communication channels to support the dissemination of future project opportunities.
We are not only looking for established businesses
An important lesson from the workshop series is that innovation does not need to begin with a complete business plan. An early-stage idea, a specific professional challenge, an underused local asset or an international model that could be adapted to the region can all be valuable starting points.
Pannon Future Forest is designed to help move such early ideas forward through access to knowledge, professional networks and business mentoring. The project does not provide direct investment funding, but it can help promising concepts progress towards pilot and business model level.
Next steps: mentor network, knowledge hub and hackathon
With the knowledge-building workshops completed, Pannon Future Forest is now moving into its next phase. The collection of innovative business and service ideas, potential mentors, experts and good practices will continue.
At the same time, the project is developing the Pannon Future Forest mentor network and online knowledge hub, designed to make expertise across the region more visible and accessible and to facilitate new professional connections.
A hackathon is planned in Osijek in November 2026, where selected Hungarian, Croatian and Slovenian ideas can be further developed with professional and business support. Promising concepts may subsequently receive several months of free mentoring.
The three workshops have now concluded, but the knowledge exchange and cooperation they initiated will continue. Pannon Future Forest remains open to entrepreneurs, professionals, organisations and idea owners interested in creating new economic value from forests and other natural assets while contributing to their long-term preservation.