Development programming in the forest-based sector under economic uncertainty - the case of Poland during the pandemic and post-pandemic crisis

The study discussed the possibilities of reducing economic uncertainty under crisis conditions, as one perspective to eliminate the risk of business decisions. The solution was sought on the case of forestry-based sector in Poland, which was threatened by irregularity and permanent uncertainty. Stakeholders of the 'primary wood-based market', in the value chain: forestry - forestry services - woodworking industry, were invited to participate in a diagnostic survey, using the technique of individual in-depth interviews (IDI). The data, collected in 2020 and revised in 2024, was processed in the Analytic Hierarchy Process. Based on the AHP approach, the authors' research scenario was designed. As a result, an optimal leading anti-crisis strategy was selected, relevant to the ‘market of uncertainty’. An opportunity for the forest-based sector could be an anti-crisis co-opetition strategy, based on networking, integrating all market actors. Finally, practical recommendations for mesoeconomic sectoral policy in forestry were formulated.