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Summary Forest biomass is used to produce bioenergy that comes from many sources such as trees of harvestable age or killed trees by disturbances, material from stand thinning, harvest residues, and by-products of industrial forest processes. The Region of Western Macedonia in Greece has a considerable potential of forest biomass but lacks in wood resources management and exploitation. This lack constitutes a deterrent for potential bioenergy investments. The present study identifies five pilot concepts based upon regional needs to be developed in order to raise awareness and to attract the attention of stakeholders. These pilot plans aim to identify concrete measures for wood mobilization and to explain their applicability under different conditions. As a result, decision-makers from administrations, industry, and forestry practitioners will be helped to make sound choices and implement appropriate actions with respect to all aspects of sustainable wood mobilization, while ensuring sustainable forest management. These five pilot applications are described as follows: biomass investor's toolkit; development of a traceability procedure for biomass energy chain; guide for educating personnel in timber harvesting, safety, and precaution measures; development of a guide/toolkit for the next generation forest management plans; and overview of options for utilization of biomass ashes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.