Collaboration and Innovation Take Center Stage at the 2nd Edition of the transForm Showcase

The College of Espírito Santo at the University of Évora hosted the second edition of the transForm Showcase, held on November 12. This internal event highlighted the progress achieved by the transForm Agenda, bringing together various stakeholders to promote knowledge exchange and strengthen partnerships within the forestry sector.

The Rector of the University of Évora, Hermínia Vasconcelos Vilar, emphasized the institution’s role within the transForm Agenda. “The University of Évora brings advantages to this Mobilizing Agenda because we have a long history of research in forestry and decarbonization,” she stated, further highlighting that the knowledge generated by the University and its researchers strengthens the practical application of results in collaboration with companies.

Alexandra Marques, from CoLAB ForestWISE, explained that the transForm Showcase was born out of a strategic need. “The transForm Showcase emerged as a response to a challenge from our Advisory and Oversight Council (COF) to address the need for an exchange of results and visibility of the outcomes of the different projects that make up the Agenda. It is important to ensure collaboration among the various partners,” she explained, emphasizing the event’s integrative role.

In turn, Miguel Silveira, from Altri Florestal, highlighted the relevance of the collaborative work promoted by the transForm Agenda. “All the work of the transForm Agenda will create value and bring resilience to Portuguese forests,” he affirmed, underscoring the scale of the partnerships, comprising 56 entities, and the “significant impact these synergies have on the sector.”

The transForm Showcase welcomed 77 participants and reaffirmed the importance of joint efforts between higher education institutions, research centers, and companies. It demonstrated the positive impact of initiatives developed under the transForm Agenda on Portuguese forests and their future sustainability.