DIVERSIFOOD stakeholder workshop, Rome, 21 September 2017
This DIVERSIFOOD report summarises findings from an online survey (84 initiatives) and a stakeholder workshop held in Rome on 21 September 2017, and documents the diversity, roles and challenges of Community Seed Banks (CSBs) in Europe. It describes regional differences in origins, organisation and activities: many CSBs in southern and western Europe were farmer-led, while older seed-saver networks and gardener-led groups are more common in northern and central Europe. CSBs use varied legal forms and vocabularies (networks, houses, libraries, archives). Activities range from on-farm conservation, seed multiplication and exchanges to training, participatory plant breeding, data management and advocacy. Many initiatives manage hundreds of accessions (local/farmers’ varieties, old commercial varieties and breeding populations). Major obstacles reported are limited funding, low manpower and technical capacity, and unfavourable regulatory environments. Key strategies to strengthen CSBs include networking and mutual learning, cooperation with other stakeholders (including gene banks and research partners), capacity building, and using public credibility to improve outreach and funding. The report also presents a SWOT analysis, regional case presentations and recommendations for supporting CSBs across Europe.
Key topics: community seed banks, seed networks, seed conservation, seed exchange, participatory plant breeding, agrobiodiversity, seed policy
