Centre for Seeds, Nurseries and Forest Protection
The Slovenian Forestry Institute, within the framework of Slovenia’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (hereinafter: the RRP) and the Climate Change Fund, and in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, is implementing an investment project for the construction of the Centre for Seed, Nurseries and Forest Protection (hereinafter: the CSNSFP) at its premises at Večna pot 2, Ljubljana. The project contributes to the field of biodiversity by establishing modern infrastructure that will enhance and expand research activities in forest reproductive material, forest nursery production and forest protection.
The construction and establishment of the SNSFPC are financed under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) as part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan. The total value of the investment is estimated at EUR 6.18 million (VAT included), of which approximately EUR 5.1 million (excluding VAT) is financed through the Recovery and Resilience Facility. In 2024, the Slovenian Forestry Institute secured additional funding of EUR 2,470,000 (VAT included) from the Climate Change Fund, enabling the use of modern timber construction methods and ensuring a high level of energy efficiency of the new building.
The Centre comprises over 2,510 m² of new research, laboratory and support facilities, replacing an outdated greenhouse and associated laboratory infrastructure. Construction commenced in September 2024 and was completed in December 2025.
OBJECTIVE AND PURPOSE OF THE CENTRE
The existing premises and infrastructure of the Slovenian Forestry Institute no longer fully meet the operational requirements for carrying out the Institute’s statutory tasks, particularly those of the Department of Forest Physiology and Genetics and the Department of Forest Protection. The construction of the new Centre within the Institute’s premises therefore represents a necessary step in strengthening the work of both departments.
Increasingly frequent large-scale natural disturbances in forests, the impacts of climate change, and globalisation — with the associated risk of introducing new pests and diseases — may severely affect Slovenian and European forests. As natural forest regeneration is often insufficient, the need for forest restoration through planting and sowing with genetically appropriate forest reproductive material is increasing. At the same time, there is a growing need to develop cultivation systems that ensure the highest possible establishment and survival rates of planted seedlings.
The objective of the Centre investment is to increase the long-term quantity, quality and resilience of forests in the European Union, particularly regarding forest fires, harmful organisms and other threats intensified by climate change. The investment will support close-to-nature forest management and promote species and genetic diversity of forests.
The following facilities and functions will be established within the Centre SNSFP:
- laboratory infrastructure and facilities for the collection, processing, extraction, storage and germination of forest reproductive material, supporting forest restoration in the fields of forest seed production, nursery production and forest protection;
- development of innovative approaches in forest nursery production, including the cultivation of seedlings with well-developed mycorrhiza adapted to specific sites and improved planting success;
- establishment of a forest health diagnostic centre;
- establishment of part of the Slovenian Forest Gene Bank — a Seed Bank for the purposes of:
- certification of the origin of forest reproductive material;
- long-term conservation of forest genetic resources in accordance with nature conservation legislation;
- quality assessment of forest reproductive material (phenotypic and genotypic characteristics);
- establishment of a system for monitoring the genetic diversity of forest trees;
- upgrading rapid and effective response systems for outbreaks and the spread of harmful organisms and invasive alien species;
- development and transfer of advanced technological solutions in the fields of forest seed production, nursery production and forest protection into operational practice;
- further development of human resources, professional expertise and systemic solutions, including the international harmonisation of activities;
- support for the implementation of relevant European Union legislation in the sector.
The building was constructed using sustainable, natural materials with a low carbon footprint and high recyclability. It incorporates a green roof system. The development of the supporting infrastructure was implemented in line with the principles of sustainable land use and the “do no significant harm” principle.
Visualization of the new Centre (ELEMENTARNA, projektiranje in svetovanje, d.o.o)
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