Fragmented land ownership, low profitability, an aging workforce, and a shortage of qualified labor in the business sector have long been recognized as challenges in Portugal’s forestry sector. However, these issues have become more severe due to climate change and the risks posed by wildfires. In this context, the need for cooperation and unity among all stakeholders in the value chain has become even more evident.

It was within this scenario that, in 2023, the Clube Produtores Florestais Navigator was created. This initiative by The Navigator Company — a subsidiary of Grupo Semapa — was launched with the mission of uniting and supporting all forestry stakeholders: from producers to suppliers, service providers, associations, and public entities. The goal is to promote capacity building, modernization, and the adoption of best environmental and socioeconomic practices. Clube Produtores Florestais Navigator presents itself as a platform for knowledge sharing, innovation, and financial support, aiming to create value for its members and the sector.

Membership in the Club is open to all forestry stakeholders who have already established a commercial relationship with Navigator or may do so in the future.

What are the main benefits of being a member? First, access to technical knowledge and training, provided through the e-globulus portal and the Premium and TEC-Floresta Programs, which offer personalized on-site support and specialized training, in connection with the Innovation and Forest Development (DGF) coordination and the RAIZ – Forest and Paper Research Institute. Additionally, Clube Produtores Florestais Navigator is committed to creating better conditions for its members. To this end, it has established strategic partnerships with entities such as Crédito Agrícola, Galp, and Interprev, offering members advantages like financing, fuel, and occupational health and safety. The Club also supports equipment modernization through agreements for machinery acquisition and co-investment and promotes forest certification in coordination with DGF and RAIZ.

All these benefits translate into efficiency gains, cost reduction, and greater resilience for operations and the business sector, contributing to a more productive and sustainable forest.

• Premium Program: Technical Support for Forest Producers

This program is specifically aimed at eucalyptus plantations and is open to all landowners, regardless of property size, providing free silvicultural technical support.

• TEC-Floresta Program: Knowledge Transfer and Information Sharing

This program is designed to transfer knowledge and share information with different forestry sector stakeholders, introducing basic silviculture concepts, the most appropriate management techniques for eucalyptus plantations, and best practices for forestry operations. It also facilitates knowledge and information sharing among partners — to foster better forest management in the country — and generates customized tools to support forest management.

Clube Produtores Florestais Navigator’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its promotion of certified forest management, which reduces fire risk and enhances biodiversity. This commitment is also reflected in the adoption of innovative practices in silviculture, fertilization, and pest control. Supporting the energy transition and circular economy, by adding value to forest residues, is also a priority. Continuous capacity building for stakeholders, impact monitoring, and evaluation in partnership with scientific organizations ensure ongoing process improvement and alignment with the highest international standards.

Given that only a small portion of the national forest is certified, the company launched in 2016 a program to encourage producers to adopt sustainable forest management models that, once certified, enable continuous improvement of management practices, add value to production, and meet the growing global demand for certified products. This effort has increased the certified forest area in Portugal from 2016 to 2024, both via FSC® – Forest Stewardship Council (from 370,000 ha to about 649,000 ha) and through PEFC – Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (from 260,000 ha to about 331,000 ha).

Social responsibility is another pillar of Clube Produtores Florestais Navigator. A recent example of this commitment is the Employment Club, an initiative created to address the growing need for recruitment and appreciation of human resources in the forestry value chain. On the project’s portal, accessible from the Club’s website, any company in the sector registered with the Club can post job offers and manage the entire recruitment process independently. The Employment Club is also integrated with the main national job sites, increasing the visibility of opportunities and facilitating access to a wider pool of potential candidates. This solution brings sector companies closer to professionals seeking a career in forestry, addressing the need to attract and retain qualified talent and promote generational renewal in the sector.

The future of Clube Produtores Florestais Navigator involves strengthening its support network, expanding membership, and launching new initiatives in technological innovation, safety, and human resource development. Supported by ambitious and responsible public policies, innovative monitoring tools, and an increasingly professionalized value chain, Portuguese forests remain a strategic asset for the country, economically, environmentally, and socially.

Clube Produtores Florestais Navigator is a clear example of how collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to sustainability can transform the forestry value chain, making it stronger, more modern, and better prepared for future challenges.