FME 2024 - Slovenia

The Forest Movement Europe (FME) is an open, informal network of European NGOs and individuals working to protect and restore forests and the rights of forest people. We hold an Annual Gathering once per year to share information and develop joint strategies, and maintain a mailing list to regularly share information and coordinate joint campaigning on forests. Since its creation in 1989, the FME has helped incubate numerous cross-organisational campaigns and share information about key upcoming threats to forests.

Hosted by the Slovenian NGO Focus, this year’s FME Gathering will be held from 11-13 June 2024 in Pokljuka, Slovenia.

Ahead of the FME Gathering, the Environmental Paper Network (EPN) will hold its annual meeting on Monday 10 June to discuss context & strategy on the pulp, paper and woody biomass sectors. All participants to the FME gathering are also welcome to attend the EPN meeting if relevant for them.

Agenda

The programme will co-developed by participants. Please feed back on the agenda here: FME 2024 agenda topics.docx

Sunday 9 June

• Arrival of EPN participants

Monday 10 June

• All day: EPN meeting (discussion on issues related to pulp, paper & woody biomass)
• Afternoon/evening: arrival of FME participants

Tuesday 11 June

• All day: FME meeting – discussions & presentations about topics concerning global & European forests

Wednesday 12 June

• Morning: field visit of surrounding forests, led by Dr Aleksander Marinšek (Slovenian Forestry Institute, Department of Forest Ecology)
• Afternoon: continuation of FME meeting (discussions & presentations)

Thursday 13 June

• Morning: continuation of FME meeting (discussions & presentations)
• Afternoon: hike

Friday 14 June

• Departure

Event venue and accomodation

Hotel Jelka (Goreljek 93, 4247 Zgornje Gorje)

• Hotel accomodation will be shared; there are options for 1, 2, or 3 person rooms (€85/night including 3 meals); or in an 8-person dorm (€65/night including 3 meals).
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided at the hotel. This is included in the cost of your FME ticket.
• There are a limited number of solidarity tickets available, with priority to unpaid/grassroots activists. If you or your organisation is in a constrained financial position and would not be able to come without financial support, please contact julia@fern.org.

Transportation

Travelling to/from Pokljuka:

• Transportation (shuttle buses) between Pokljuka-Bled and Pokljuka-Bohinj will be provided.
• Shuttle buses will be available on Sunday 9 June, Monday 10 June and Friday 14 June. The timings of the shuttle buses will be arranged to best accomodate the entire group.
• If you need to travel outside of the arranged times, you can catch a free tourist bus between Bohinj and Bled, and we will provide further information on this individually.

Travelling to/from Bled or Bohinj:

• Participants are responsible arranging their own travel to Bled or Bohinj.
• Further information on travelling between Ljubljana and Bled/Bohinj via public transportation will be provided shortly. Please expect to pay around 9 EUR for a one-way bus journey from Ljubljana to Bled/Bohinj.

Full logistical and transport information is provided here: Logistics info pack FME 2024.docx

About Focus

Founded in 2002, Focus is the biggest environmental NGO in Slovenia. Their mission is to promote comprehensive socioeconomic changes towards a decent life within planetary boundaries. They provide the local and international environment with ideas about new possibilities of life practices and social orders. Their work covers the following areas: sustainable development, climate change, energy, mobility and global responsibility and justice. They fulfil their mission through research, awareness-raising, advocacy, and participation in policy-making processes.