The Role of Innovation Systems in Non-Timber Forest Products and Services Development in Central Europe
The Role of Innovation Systems in Non-Timber Forest Products and Services Development in Central Europe

Summary/Abstract: Non-timber forest products and services receive growing attention as they are expected to contribute to income in rural areas and to the solution of conflicts over forest use. This article studies the role of the forestry sector innovation systems of Central European countries in the development and diffusion of non-timber forest products and services on the basis of extensive research done in course of the project centre Innoforce of the European Forest Institute. For this purpose the sector innovation systems are characterised by survey data and case studies. The situation in non-timber forest products and services is presented for the Central European region in general and for the cases of environmental and recreational services in particular. It is concluded that the forestry sector innovation systems in Central Europe are typically made up of “traditional coalitions” of forestry actors. The development of non-timber forest products and services is hardly supported by the innovation systems. For strenthening innovations in non-timber forest products and services, forestry agencies would have to provide more information on new market opportunities and would have to promote cross-sectoral relations to service sectors.

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