Previously he has worked as the Deputy Head of Unit of the FLEGT and REDD Unit since 2011 where he has been responsible for the operative management of the unit and fundraising.
Prior to joining EFI in 2010, he worked for the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs as senior forest sector adviser. Mr. Viitanen holds a M.Sc. (Agric & For) from the University of Helsinki.
EFI hosts the EU FLEGT Facility and the EU REDD Facility, which support partner countries, the European Commission, EU Delegations and EU Member States in the implementation of the EU FLEGT Action Plan and REDD+ Activities.
The EU FLEGT Facility contributes to combating illegal logging and strengthening forest governance while encouraging sustainable economic development in countries that produce or process timber and export to the EU.
The EU REDD Facility supports partner countries in improving land use governance as part of their effort to slow, halt and reverse deforestation. The Facility also supports the overall EU effort to reduce its impact on deforestation in developing countries.
