Forests must be supported as a central pillar of the future of green investment in Europe. It is essential to integrate a fair financial allocation dedicated to forests as a strategic sector for achieving the European objectives of climate resilience, competitiveness and ecological transition. This support must be planned from the budgetary construction phase, linked to the efforts made and the performance achieved, and must aim to: fair compensation of restrictions, adequate financing mechanisms for a just transition of local communities, adaptation to climate change, restoration of ecosystems, conservation of biodiversity, as well as investments in nature-based solutions (NBS), which directly contribute to the diversification of the local economy and the development of a circular forest bioeconomy capable of generating sustainable economic growth. EU budget support must reflect the diversity of conditions and challenges across regions, depending on the – often uneven – tasks and challenges they face in relation to performance indicators. Only through a fair approach, tailored to specific needs and efforts, can the objectives of a united and resilient Europe be achieved.