Forests and people: Towards a more robust knowledge base on health, well-being and small-scale private forest owners

This call aims to fund research that deepens knowledge about forests, forestry, forest management and the forest sector from two key perspectives: the importance of forests for human health and well-being, and/or the conditions and drivers of small-scale private forest owners. The call seeks projects whose research results can clearly and significantly contribute to further societal benefits from forests and the forest sector. Projects funded are expected to generate new knowledge that contributes to a diverse and robust knowledge base for more secure decision-making and improved practices. The knowledge produced must be clearly relevant to a Swedish context. Research projects may focus on forestry practices, forest governance and how they affect human health and well-being, including physical activity, mental health, recreation, outdoor life, and cultural values. Projects may also explore human factors influencing decision-making among small-scale private forest owners, such as values, knowledge, incentives, policy instruments, and the effects of demographic changes on ownership. Formas welcomes interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary collaborations across all disciplines, and projects are expected to include and engage decision-makers and stakeholders from the public sector, industry, and civil society.