The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Alnarp, Sweden hosted the four-day Training School on Stakeholder Involvement in Urban Forestry on 19 till 22 May 2026,
The training school gathered 11 trainees from Italy, Sweden, Slovakia Serbia, Spain, Finland, Greece, 9 lecturers and 2 trainers that participated in a programme aimed to provide participants with an understanding of stakeholder dynamics and communication, practical knowledge of public participation in urban forestry projects, and familiarity with communication and engagement tools.
The training combined lectures, workshops and discussions, presenting theoretical frameworks alongside practical examples, that help participants better understand key concepts related to stakeholder involvement and participatory management like long-term stakeholder involvement in landscape planning, approaches to involving children in the development of outdoor environments, participation models and their implementation or stakeholder mapping methodologies.
The programme included a guided visit to the Alnarp Landscape Laboratory, where participants examined practical examples of stakeholder-focused management, and a Day Field visit to parks in Malmö presented by the park managers from the municipality.
A group project was organized in which participants develop a participation plan for an urban forestry programme, including stakeholder mapping, outreach strategies, meeting formats, and communication tools, that where presented the last day.
The lectures delivered during the training school, together with the results generated from discussions, collaborative activities and work groups, significantly contribute to the development of the work carried out within the COST Action INTUF in Working Group 3.
Thank you to the host, lecturers, trainees and trainers and all participants involved in this great experience!
