How to enter
Photos can be entered in two categories:
1. WOODLAND
Tell the story of forests in the UNECE region.
2. WOODWORK
Show the versatility, uniqueness, beauty, and practicality of wood.
Wood can be cut, carved, bent, nailed, glued, weathered and more. It can be used to make furniture, fabric, toys, paper, sculptures, and so much more. Wood has endless uses, but which one caught your eye?
The contest is open to entrants of all skill levels. Submissions will be accepted until 2 December 2022.
The contest is entirely on social media. To enter you must:
- Follow @UNECEFAOForests and @fsc_international on Instagram and @UNECEForests and @FSC_IC on Twitter;
- Upload your photo on Instagram or Twitter;
- Tag @UNECEFAOForests and @fsc_international on Instagram, or @UNECEForests and @FSC_IC on Twitter;
- Tell us about the forest or woodwork shown through the caption (title, where and when was the photo taken? What does it depict?);
- Use the hashtags #UNECEForests75 and #ForestsForAllForever;
- Spread the word and get the most likes!
Please note that you can only enter your photos if your social media accounts are public.
Five winners for each category will be picked based on the number of likes from the community across all platforms.
Prizes
Five winners from each category will be picked based on the number of likes from the community on either of the platforms and will be announced on 19 December 2022. All winners will receive great prizes, from wooden frames and laptop bags made with FSC-certified wood fibres, to trainers and boots made with natural FSC-certified rubber.
You can find information on the FSC International website.
See the contest flyer here.
Why do forests matter?
Forests are one of the most biodiverse and valuable ecosystems on our planet. They cover 31 % of the world’s total land area (4 billion hectares) with 42% in the UNECE region (1.7 billion ha). They make vital contributions both to people and to the planet bolstering livelihoods, providing clean air and water, conserving biodiversity, and responding to climate change. Forests are an extraordinary source of renewable raw materials for many products around us: from furniture and buildings to medicines and fabrics.
But forests are threatened more than ever before by climate change, deforestation, fires, and other disturbances. Therefore, responsible forest management is crucial to maintain healthy and resilient forests for people to benefit from everything that healthy forests can offer.
UNECE is partnering with FSC to highlight that sourcing responsibly plays a big role in maintaining healthy forests. A widely recognized, trusted and rigorous forest certification system, FSC and our "check tree" label – found on millions of products worldwide – verifies sustainable sourcing from forest to consumer. A responsible forestry standard is a proven solution to tackle today’s climate and biodiversity challenges. This means choosing a certification like FSC helps protect the future of forests and the communities who depend on them.
Stay up to date with the entries by following the hashtags #UNECEForests75 and #ForestsForAllForever.
Background
Formally established in 1947 to aid in the region's reconstruction after the devastation of World War II, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe has since then provided a multilateral platform for international cooperation aimed at promoting pan-European economic integration, including by supporting the sustainable management of the region's forest resources.
Today, by promoting the sustainable management of forests and trees outside forests, these efforts contribute to countries' implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
You can find the original article on the UNECE website here.