Organisation of the Forest-based Sector Technology Platform
The High-Level Group (HLG) is the decision-making body of the technology platform and steers its activities. At present, the HLG is comprised of six high-level representatives from companies and the four confederations, as well as the chairman of the Advisory Committee. The European Commission (DG Research and DG Enterprise and Industry) takes part in the HLG as an observer.
A Manager for Project Management has been appointed by the HLG. The responsibility of the Manager is to monitor the day-to-day development and operation of the platform; he is supported by the Project Management Group.
The HLG has also appointed an Advisory Committee (AC). The AC comprises of R&D / technical directors and federation representatives from core stakeholders. Each National Support Group (see below) has a representative in the AC. The main role of the AC is to:
- ensure that the views and needs of industrial stakeholders, forest owners and forest product users are represented in the platform
- secure the links between the National Support Groups
- supervise the activities of the Project Management Group
In order to link FTP's wide scope with the national level, National Support Groups (NSG) serve as dual communication channels. NSGs are typically made up of representatives from the forest-based sector in a specific country, including researchers and representatives of national financing and governmental bodies. All EU countries are invited to set up NSGs. The main roles of the NSGs are to:
- ensure that the key stakeholders are represented at national level
- formulate national viewpoints and provide input to the platform
- disseminate information about the platform at national level, e.g. through contact with authorities, public financers and so forth
- co-ordinate the development and implementation of national research agendas (NRA)