Calls
Forests at the Core of the Thesis - PEFC Italy Graduation Award
At a time when forests can play a crucial role in combating climate change, sustainable forest management emerges as a topic of fundamental importance and urgency, even within university classrooms. To highlight the relevance of this issue, especially for the younger generations, PEFC Italy announces the opening of a call for entries aimed at rewarding the best theses on forest planning, management, and certification in Italy. The goal is to enhance those works that delve into topics related to the climate crisis, forest protection, and the promotion of forest supply chains.
"The award, in its first edition, was created with the intent to recognize the research, analysis, and in-depth capabilities demonstrated by students in their thesis work, specifically encouraging recent graduates to continue studying and focusing on sustainable forest management topics", explains Marco Bussone, president of PEFC Italy.
The award is open to recent graduates, students, and residents in Italy, or non-residents with a degree from an Italian university, whose thesis (whether for a bachelor's, master's, or specialized degree) is defended between July 1, 2024, and July 15, 2025.
The submitted theses must address forest planning and related topics: forest supply chains; the role of wood companies and related economy; risk reduction planning for forest damage caused by fires and landslides; forest certification, best practices in the territories, and PEFC Italy's activities; climate change adaptation strategies through forests; ecosystem services, sustainability credits, and the relationship between territories, economic, and social systems; urban greenery and public and/or private investments in forestry; the role of institutions in forest supply chains; certified products, 'green purchases,' civil economy, ESG; circular economy and its relation to forests in the fight against climate change; Chain of Custody certification and companies' commitments; current Italian forest regulations, national forest strategy, and European forest strategy.
The award will recognize theses that tackle one or more of the thematic areas indicated in the call with greater complexity and originality, with special attention to the completeness and scientific maturity demonstrated by the candidates in their work. Among the criteria used for evaluation, positive indicators will include interest in the country's rural and forest areas, the role and importance given to PEFC certification, connections with the Forest Code and National Forest Strategy, interest in, interaction with, and in-depth exploration of topics addressed by PEFC in its association activities, involvement of PEFC Italy, certified forest areas, and/or companies that have obtained certification.
Five cash prizes, each worth €500, are up for grabs for the theses selected by the judging commission, composed of industry experts. The winning theses will be reviewed and published on the website, social media profiles, and other communication initiatives of PEFC Italy. Additionally, candidates will have the opportunity to present their research at dedicated events, such as in-person meetings and webinars. PEFC reserves the right to award additional prizes, such as special recognitions and mentions, and to announce such decisions even after the final submission deadline. The winners will be awarded during the 2025 edition of the Sustainable Forest Communities Award.
To participate in the call for entries, applications must be received no later than August 30, 2025, accompanied by the application form (downloadable here), a copy of the identity document, and a summary of the thesis content, with a length of no less than 3 editorial pages (1,800 characters per page) and no more than 6 pages. The thesis and the aforementioned documentation must be sent via certified email (PEC) in PDF format to pefc.italia@pec.it, with the subject line "PEFC graduation thesis award application."
For more information, contact the PEFC Italy Secretariat at the references indicated here.
"The award, in its first edition, was created with the intent to recognize the research, analysis, and in-depth capabilities demonstrated by students in their thesis work, specifically encouraging recent graduates to continue studying and focusing on sustainable forest management topics", explains Marco Bussone, president of PEFC Italy.
The award is open to recent graduates, students, and residents in Italy, or non-residents with a degree from an Italian university, whose thesis (whether for a bachelor's, master's, or specialized degree) is defended between July 1, 2024, and July 15, 2025.
The submitted theses must address forest planning and related topics: forest supply chains; the role of wood companies and related economy; risk reduction planning for forest damage caused by fires and landslides; forest certification, best practices in the territories, and PEFC Italy's activities; climate change adaptation strategies through forests; ecosystem services, sustainability credits, and the relationship between territories, economic, and social systems; urban greenery and public and/or private investments in forestry; the role of institutions in forest supply chains; certified products, 'green purchases,' civil economy, ESG; circular economy and its relation to forests in the fight against climate change; Chain of Custody certification and companies' commitments; current Italian forest regulations, national forest strategy, and European forest strategy.
The award will recognize theses that tackle one or more of the thematic areas indicated in the call with greater complexity and originality, with special attention to the completeness and scientific maturity demonstrated by the candidates in their work. Among the criteria used for evaluation, positive indicators will include interest in the country's rural and forest areas, the role and importance given to PEFC certification, connections with the Forest Code and National Forest Strategy, interest in, interaction with, and in-depth exploration of topics addressed by PEFC in its association activities, involvement of PEFC Italy, certified forest areas, and/or companies that have obtained certification.
Five cash prizes, each worth €500, are up for grabs for the theses selected by the judging commission, composed of industry experts. The winning theses will be reviewed and published on the website, social media profiles, and other communication initiatives of PEFC Italy. Additionally, candidates will have the opportunity to present their research at dedicated events, such as in-person meetings and webinars. PEFC reserves the right to award additional prizes, such as special recognitions and mentions, and to announce such decisions even after the final submission deadline. The winners will be awarded during the 2025 edition of the Sustainable Forest Communities Award.
To participate in the call for entries, applications must be received no later than August 30, 2025, accompanied by the application form (downloadable here), a copy of the identity document, and a summary of the thesis content, with a length of no less than 3 editorial pages (1,800 characters per page) and no more than 6 pages. The thesis and the aforementioned documentation must be sent via certified email (PEC) in PDF format to pefc.italia@pec.it, with the subject line "PEFC graduation thesis award application."
For more information, contact the PEFC Italy Secretariat at the references indicated here.