GATE - Gaining Added Value from Timber in Europe - english

Gaining Added Value from Timber in Europe

Work on the GATE project focused on four themes that constrain the useof timber in construction: changing perceptions, economic opportunities, technical solutions and influencing policy. Each theme was led by one
partner and experiences were exchanged through newly created networks across the European forestry sector. Summaries of the results of this joint effort are contained in this report and full details can be found on the project website at www.gate-project.org 

GATE Aims

GATE's aim is to increase the use of timber in construction by addressing the policy, perception, technical and economic barriers which limit its present use.
Adding value to timber across Europe has a vital role to play in supporting and maintaining rural businesses and communities. GATE looks at timber as both a major and minor component of construction - new build and renovations; structural timber and appearance grade timber. The project is providing the partner regions with the opportunity to share knowledge and experience, build important inter-regional networks and influencing
regional policy.

Main instruments

GATE is an INTERREG III C Network project with five partners working together to challenge the perception of timber as traditional and old fashioned – helping to prove it is a modern building material which can cut construction times, increase design flexibility so providing major energy conservation and sustainability benefits.

• improve the interregional cooperation and the regional planning and policy in the partner regions in favor of timber usage
• increase the number of architects and engineers who seize timber as a part of modern buildings
• anchor the usage of timber in education and further education (especially in building construction)
• encourage the exchange of knowledge and carry on the best practices between and within the regions
• improve the standards in wood management and expedite the acceptation of wood certification

Partner from 5 regions

The exchange of experiences between the partner regions is the main tool of cooperation. Each partner creates a network of prospectors in his region (local authorities, forestry organisations, research and education facilities, construction experts, architects, house builders, small and medium-sized businesses, ...) to assure a balance of abilities and experiences between the participants during the project.

• Forestry Commission Wales
• University of Ljubljana, Department of Wood Science and Technology, Slovenia
• Tourist Association of Communities 'BOR' Poland
• Tartu Science Park Estonia
• Environment Centre of Trade for Thuringia (ECT)