10.04.2026
In a context of transformation in the forest-wood sector, marked by increasing requirements in terms of sustainability, traceability, and responsible investment, the European Union is deploying major financial instruments to support high-impact projects in priority regions for ATIBT—particularly the Congo Basin and the Selva Maya in Guatemala.
At the heart of this dynamic, the Global Gateway strategy aims to mobilize up to €300 billion in investments between 2021 and 2027, to support infrastructure and value chains that are sustainable, transparent, and aligned with the EU’s high standards.
Opportunities aligned with ATIBT priorities
These financing mechanisms are particularly relevant for actions led by ATIBT, especially within projects such as ConforMa[1] in the Maya Biosphere Reserve (the Guatemalan part of the Selva Maya), as well as other initiatives under the Team Europe Initiative (TEI) “Promoting the ecological transition of Petén [2].The areas of intervention directly align the sector’s needs:
EFSD+: a key lever for priority regions
Within the framework of the TEI “Promoting the ecological transition of Petén” ,” the EFSD+ mechanism (European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus) appears particularly relevant. It enables the mobilization of public and private investments through EU guarantees, supporting projects that contribute to the ecological transition and economic development.
ATIBT therefore encourages stakeholders to engage by identifying European or local companies with concrete investment proposals, particularly in the Petén region.
At the same time, these funding opportunities are fully applicable to the Congo Basin, where issues of sustainable management, certification, and value chain structuring remain central.
How to access this funding
The Global Gateway Investment Hub[1] serves as a structured entry point, allowing companies to submit their projects and connect with European financial institutions.
Applications require the preparation of a detailed project brief outlining the business model, financing needs, and expected impacts.
A call to action for ATIBT members
At the heart of this dynamic, the Global Gateway strategy aims to mobilize up to €300 billion in investments between 2021 and 2027, to support infrastructure and value chains that are sustainable, transparent, and aligned with the EU’s high standards.
Opportunities aligned with ATIBT priorities
These financing mechanisms are particularly relevant for actions led by ATIBT, especially within projects such as ConforMa[1] in the Maya Biosphere Reserve (the Guatemalan part of the Selva Maya), as well as other initiatives under the Team Europe Initiative (TEI) “Promoting the ecological transition of Petén [2].The areas of intervention directly align the sector’s needs:
These instruments represent a concrete opportunity to:
ATIBT encourages its members and partners to seize these opportunities by developing solid, bankable projects in its priority areas of intervention.
The ATIBT teams and the relevant departments of the European Union remain available to support the identification and structuring of these initiatives.
Representatives from these entities will be present at the upcoming Carrefour International du Bois trade fair in Nantes from June 2 to 4 and will be available to provide further information and respond any inquiries.
