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In 2025, local implementation began in selected regions of the Canton of Bern, with key findings from the "Perception and Communication" module being discussed and further developed together with local stakeholders. In collaboration with the University of Bern, concrete communication measures to raise awareness of forest fire risk are being developed and tested on site.

The three pilot regions—Lauterbrunnen, Meiringen, and Biel/Bienne—differ in their local conditions, but all are hotspot regions with an elevated risk of forest fires. The project follows a co-design approach in which local stakeholders are actively involved. In Lauterbrunnen, initial workshops were held in August and November 2025 with representatives from the municipality, tourism, the fire service, and the forestry sector.

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In 2025, the scientific findings from the Hazard and Risk module were successfully incorporated into hazard assessment. The identified influence of the foehn and bise wind systems, as well as improved phenological data, were integrated into the existing assessment tool. The new functions were already used during the 2025 forest fire season and were positively evaluated by users.

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The first project phase (2020–2025) was completed successfully with six incubator projects and a dissertation on transformative small and medium-sized enterprises in the timber-processing sector. In July 2025, this milestone was marked by an event at the Federal Palace in Bern attended by 30 participants.

Overall, the first project phase delivered strong results. It laid important foundations for sustainable regional value creation in forests and timber in the Canton of Bern. For example, it produced a Timber Compass on the theme "Municipalities use forests sustainably in carrying out their responsibilities." A dialogue platform was also launched to promote timber as a construction material and, with it, the cascading use of timber. A well-functioning and socially accepted approach to forest management, together with the use of timber as an ecologically sound raw material, makes a substantial contribution to climate protection and broader societal benefits.

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The project "Regional value creation in forests and timber" entered its second project phase in 2025. The direction of this second phase was shaped to a large extent by feedback from the Wyss Academy dialogue on "The true value of forests," by the findings from the six completed incubator projects, and by the dissertation produced during the first project phase.

Three strategic subprojects were defined to strengthen regional value creation in forests and timber while taking into account the ecologically and socially important ecosystem services provided by forests. First, regional competence centers will provide expert support to clients and project developers building with regional timber. Second, the project "Transformation of the timber value chain" aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the forest and timber sector in the Canton of Bern, foster innovation, and make better use of modern technologies—especially in digital production, processing, and the circular economy. Third, an awareness-raising and information project will help inform the public about the importance of timber use and the many functions of forests.