Mendel University in Brno

The Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology at Mendel University in Brno (FFWT MENDELU) is a Central European institution specialising in sustainable forest management, bioeconomy, wood science, and nature-based solutions. The Faculty integrates forestry, arboriculture, landscape management, wood technology, timber engineering, and furniture design, and offers accredited study programmes at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. Through its multidisciplinary scope, FFWT MENDELU addresses the entire forest–wood value chain, from ecosystem processes and climate resilience to innovative wood-based materials and circular bioeconomy applications.

FFWT MENDELU’s mission aligns closely with the objectives of Horizon Europe Cluster 6, advancing scientific excellence and delivering innovation that supports the sustainable management of natural resources, climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and the transition to a circular, bio-based economy. The Faculty fosters ecologically sound, socially responsible, and aesthetically sensitive approaches to land and forest stewardship, wood utilisation, and timber construction. Its educational philosophy emphasises creativity, critical thinking, ethical responsibility, and the ability to translate research-based knowledge into practice, preparing graduates to meet evolving societal and sectoral challenges.

Research Infrastructure Supporting Horizon Europe Projects

FFWT MENDELU operates a comprehensive set of research infrastructures that underpin high-quality international research and innovation projects:

Forest & Landscape Research Infrastructure – Including large-scale forest experimental plots, monitoring sites, dendrometric laboratories, a network of observation stations, and long-term ecosystem research areas. These facilities enable advanced research on forest dynamics, climate change impacts, biodiversity, soil processes, and silviculture.

Wood Science and Technology Laboratories – Equipped for cutting-edge experimentation in wood physics, wood chemistry, mechanical testing, durability analysis, CNC machining, and surface treatments. These laboratories support innovation in bio-based materials, circular bioeconomy, timber engineering, and sustainable construction.

Timber Construction & Building Technology Facilities – Providing testing capabilities for timber structures, glued laminated timber, cross-laminated timber (CLT), hybrid wooden constructions, and energy-efficient building materials. These capacities support Horizon Europe topics related to bio-based innovation, sustainable building systems, and circular material flows.

Arboriculture, Landscape and Ecosystem Services Centres – Offering specialised expertise in urban forestry, arboristics, green infrastructure, ecosystem restoration, and nature-based solutions, directly relevant to HEU topics on biodiversity, climate adaptation, ecosystem restoration, and rural/urban sustainability.

GIS, Remote Sensing and Digital Innovation Infrastructure – Including advanced tools for data analytics, UAV-based remote sensing, 3D modelling, LiDAR analysis, and environmental monitoring, supporting proposals focused on Earth observation, digital twins, environmental decision-support systems, and integrated landscape modelling.

University Forest Enterprise (ŠLP Křtiny) – A unique living laboratory of more than 10,000 hectares, providing real-world conditions for experimentation, validation, demonstration, and upscaling of sustainable forest management practices, restoration techniques, and innovative technologies. This infrastructure strongly supports multi-actor approaches, living labs, and pilot implementations, as encouraged by Horizon Europe.