On 2^nd January 2008, the ERA-NET Bioenergy launched a joint call on Short Rotation Coppice (SRC). The call aimed to generate joint European research and development activities and focused on three areas:

1. Genetic improvement of Salix and other woody SRC species;
2. Improving the value chain of SRC;
3. Environmental aspects of SRC.

In total, 7 proposals were received, all of which were evaluated by an international jury in May 2008. As a result of the evaluation, 3 proposals were selected for funding. Each consortium consists of four or more partners from two to three countries.

On 9^th September 2008, a kick-off meeting with the project leaders and the agencies took place in Potsdam, Germany. The goals of this meeting were to introduce the individual projects, the partner organisations and the proposed research and to evaluate how the project leaders experienced the call, its procedures and the building of consortia. It also gave researchers a chance to network.

The presentations of the projects, which start in September and October respectively, are now available.

• Cost reduction and efficiency improvement of Short Rotation Coppice (CREFF) by Nicolas Marron, INRA Nancy / Cisco Aust, Frank Brodbeck, FVA / Thorsten Beimgraben, HFR / Andreas König, IER University of Stuttgart / Axel Weinreich, Unique forestry consultants
• Targeted breeding of a European SRC willow crop for diverse environments and future climates (BredNET-SRC) by Steve Hanley, Rothamstead Research/Karl Gebhardt, NW-FVA/Marie-Luise Rottmann-Meyer, 3N/Ann Christin Rönnberg-Wästljung, SLU
• Reducing environmental impacts of SRC through evidence-based integrated decision support tools (RATING-SRC) by Jannis Dimitriou, SLU/Andreas Bolte, vTI