On Wednesday, 8th March 2017 was in the context of accompanying activities of the fair DOM Ljubljana, organized 5th Development Day of the Slovenian Forest-Based Sector.

The main purpose of the event was to present the professional and the general public the diversity of development activities in the Slovenian forestry-wood chain, and in particular the possibility for companies to actively participate in domestic and international development projects through which they can realize their development plans. Development Day is also a great opportunity for mutual learning and networking between researchers from development organizations and developers from companies, with the aim of transferring knowledge, new ideas and projects. That the Slovenian forestry-wood chain is development active, it is confirmed by the number of collected active projects, which exceed the number 65 (see the proceedings in an attachment) and the number of participiant of the Development Day today, as well as  in the past. This year the focus of Development Day was in addition to the presentation of good practices in integrating business and RDI projects and overview of existing and future national support programmes, particularly in the so-called Strategic Development Innovation Partnerships (SRIP).

Introductory speeches were made by Jože Prikeržnik, Director of Directorate for wood industry at MEDT and dr. Miha Humar, decane, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Wood Science and Technology.

Igor Milavec from the Association of wood processing and furniture industry gave an award to prof. dr. dr. H.C. Nicholas Torelli for his life’s work in Slovenian Forestry and wood sector.

Then selected domestic and EU R&D projects were presented:

· Barbara Šubic, M SORA, TIGR4smart
· Dr. Iztok Šušteršič, UL FGG, IQdom
· Dr. Primož Oven, UL BF, Cel.krog
· Dr. Andreja Kutnar, UP, Innorenew COE
· Tamara Högler, Cyberforum, FORESDA
· Marjana Rejc, Alples Intelligent Furniture
· Dr. Peter Wostner, SRIP

The participant of the roundtable titled “Smart home with wood chain” which is headed by Dr. Aleš Ugovšek was:
· Dr. Peter Wostner, Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy
· Igor Milavec, CCIS Association of wood processing and furniture industry
· Alojz Burja, Lip Bled d.o.o.
· Franc Zupanc, Alples d.d.
· Dr. Primož Oven, UL BF Department of Wood Science and tchnology
· Dr. Primož Simončič, Slovenian Forestry Institute
· Dr. Andraž Legat, Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute
The round table touched on topics SRIP’s mainly what they see advantages and opportunities, and what does this mean for the forest-wood sector.  All participants of the round table are agreed, how important is cooperation between companies and R&D organizations and interdisciplinary work.

What do you mean or what you associate the word SRIP? ˝ was the final question round tables. Followed by the following answers: breakthrough, practical development challenge, hope, cooperation, Forest-Based value chain and vision.

The event is fully moderated and led by dr. Aleš Ugovšek.

Proceedings of the 5th Development Day of the Slovenian forest-wood sector can be found HERE.