On 6 October, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry will open a new call for applications concerning funding to be targeted to research, innovation and development projects under the Catch the Carbon package of climate measures. About EUR 13 million in funding is available for the new projects. The calls for applications will be open until 4 November 2021.

Funding is now being collected to purchase the Myllykoski hydropower plant in Kuusamo. The idea is to demolish the plant so that threatened lake trout will be able to migrate freely to large areas of streams and lakes. A binding preliminary agreement was signed and the first deposit paid to Koskienergia Koskivoima Oy on 31 August. The project receives support from the migratory fish programme NOUSU of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

European Commission published new EU Forest Strategy on 16 July 2021, aiming for better coordination on forest-related initiatives as well as increasing the cooperation of Member States on forests. The Strategy highlights climate and biodiversity targets, which are important also for Finland. The strategy has evolved towards more balanced version, leaving however room for improvement in the initiatives to follow.