INNOVAWOOD ASBL

Their core work

Innovawood is a Brussels-based association representing the European woodworking and furniture industries, acting as a bridge between the forest-based sector and EU-funded innovation. They focus on promoting sustainable wood construction, mobilising wood resources across European regions, and supporting the transition to a circular bioeconomy. Their work spans from championing timber as a construction material to building networks that help rural forestry communities connect with urban demand for sustainable building solutions.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Innovawood's early H2020 work (2018–2020) centred on promoting wood as a construction material and advancing circular economy concepts — practical, industry-facing topics like demobuildings, construction systems, and digital transformation of the wood sector. Their more recent involvement (2021 onward) has shifted toward ecological resilience: climate adaptation, biodiversity safeguarding, and managing forest disturbances like drought. This reflects a broader sector trend where the conversation moved from "use more wood" to "ensure forests survive climate change so we can keep using wood."

Moving from promoting wood-based products toward securing the long-term sustainability and resilience of the forest value chains that supply them.

How they like to work

Innovawood participates exclusively as a partner, never as a coordinator — consistent with their role as an industry association that contributes sector knowledge and network access rather than leading research. With 81 unique partners across 25 countries in just 4 projects, they operate in large, diverse consortia. This makes them a well-connected network node: partnering with Innovawood gives you access to a wide European forestry and woodworking industry network.

Despite only 4 projects, Innovawood has collaborated with 81 unique partners across 25 countries — an unusually broad network reflecting their role as a European industry association with members across the continent.

What sets them apart

As a European industry association based in Brussels, Innovawood offers something research institutes and companies cannot: direct representation of the woodworking and furniture sectors at European level. They bring industry voice and dissemination channels to consortia, ensuring research results reach the companies that need to adopt them. For consortium builders, they are the natural partner when a project needs credible engagement with the wood-based industries across multiple countries.

Highlights from their portfolio

• BASAJAUN
  Largest budget (EUR 296,250) and most ambitious scope — connecting rural wood production with urban construction through demo buildings and circular design.
• RESONATE
  Marks a strategic pivot toward forest resilience and climate adaptation, signalling Innovawood's evolving priorities beyond traditional wood industry promotion.