Seeds of Growth international meeting and Semínkovna 2026 conference, Prague, October 2026
This presentation introduces the concept of a Community Seed House (CSH) as an evolution of community seed initiatives (CSIs). It explains terminology and history of seed-saving movements, proposes definitions to distinguish seed swaps, seed libraries, community seed networks, seed banks and seed houses based on levels of coordination, and outlines the functions and facilities of a seed house (storage, testing, training, archive, office and hub activities). It details coordination areas—seed management, participation, communication, funding and technical equipment—and practical issues including membership, revenue streams, partnerships, house rules, training and responsibilities. The presentation also summarises relevant points of the forthcoming EU PRM regulation (expected not before 2030), clarifying exemptions and requirements for conservation organisations, networks and community initiatives, and discusses implications for marketing, registration, plant health obligations and traceability. It concludes with strategic objectives for CSIs for 2026–2030: developing a positive narrative, gaining public and political recognition, designing regional diversity seed systems that separate diversity work from commercial marketing, exploring recognition similar to state gene banks, progressive technical improvements, legal derogations and public funding options.
Key topics: community seed house, community seed banks, community seed initiatives, seed diversity, EU PRM regulation, seed governance, funding and coordination
