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The European Coordination Let’s Liberate Diversity! (ECLLD) is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the dynamic management of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
Our core belief is that the diversification of our food systems can be achieved through the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders involved in cultivated biodiversity.
The Coordination boasts a robust network of 22 members with a network of 170 national organizations operating across 21 European countries with a membership base exceeding 35,000.
In collaboration with approximately 15,000 farmers, we actively engage in the conservation and management of around 40,000 plant varieties.
Where we are
We want to bring diversity back in our food system!
Countries across all the Europan Region
Staff and volunteers
Organisations part of the network
Varietes maintend and managed by the network
Individual Members
Farmers and gardeners involved in dynamic management of cultivated biodiversity
Discover the new Seed Knowledge HUB, developed within the framework of the Erasmus+ Seeds of Growth project, your open-access gateway to resources, tools, and knowledge on seed saving, community seed banks, agrobiodiversity, and farmers’ seed systems across Europe.
NEWS
Strategic Dialogue on the future of EU agriculture
This month marked the end of the Strategic Dialogue on the future of EU agriculture, an initiative first announced by President of the EU Commission Von der Leyen at her State of the Union address last year and that saw stakeholders in Europe engaged in discussions...
Blue maize and red potatoes. A short cultural history of well-known and lesser-known cultivated plants
The content of this article is taken from the book: Blauer Mais und rote Kartoffel. Ein kleine Kulturgeschichte bekannten und weniger bekannter Kulturpflanzen. Published by Natur und Text, Rangsdorf, 2019. ISBN 978-3-942062-34-3. The main part of the book presents 42 food plants (from amaranth to sugar ear) and a further 25 lesser-known food plants (from achira to yam bean). The individual plant portraits are organized as follows: Domestication and distribution, botany, cultural history, art, cultivation, consumption, medicine and recipes. Examples of the use and importance of food plants in indigenous societies are illustrated in the plant portraits. Maps, illustrations and directories complete the text.
Protecting crops through plant diversity
The INRAE has recently published a free-to-download eBook by the title ‘Protecting crops through plant diversity‘ in the context of project Ecophyto 2+ meant to reduce the use of synthetic pesticides to protect public health. This book is intended for research and teaching purposes, as well as agricultural, environmentaland citizen stakeholders.
The Organic Advice Network
A new initiative was launched in the spring 2024 as part of the EU Farm to Fork Strategy and aligned to its target of achieving 25% organic farmland by 2030. The project aims to address the urgent need for skilled advisors in organic farming by creating and nurturing...
Series of surveys on forgotten crops – Radiant EU
Within the RADIANT EU project, the organisers of this survey exercise aim to support European policies and strategies that release the full value of neglected or forgotten crops and plant species within the food value chain. While in fact the current socio-economic...
European Citizens’ Initiative Forum for the Right to Food: what’s boiling in the pot?
From May 29-31, 2024, the second European Citizens’ Initiative Forum for the Right to Food was held in Geneva, Switzerland. The event brought together over 70 participants who engaged in various working groups over the three days, initiating a collaborative process to advocate for the right to food. Soon the petition will be launched!
PGR management in farmers seed network in Europe and China
EC-LLD recently participated in an online event hosted by Pro Specie Rara, one of our members, to welcome a Chinese delegation at their headquarters in Switzerland. This was a significant step in our ongoing efforts to strengthen international collaboration and exchange knowledge on biodiversity and sustainable agriculture.
EU Seed Policy Guide
A guide to European Seed Policy was developed in the context of the Erasmus+ Seeding Europe with Arche Noah and Kybele to raise the awareness and knowledge levels of actors engaged in the saving, development, and production of seeds in all species of cultivated plants.
Technical Manual on Community Seed Banks
This set of three manuals provide comprehensive guidance on establishing, managing, and navigating the legal aspects of Community Seed Banks (CSBs). These resources are designed to help you preserve agricultural biodiversity, enhance access to locally adapted seeds, and contribute to sustainable agriculture.
Agroecology in and for Europe (AE4EU Project)
The second volume of results from the AE4EU European project’s mapping exercise an agroecology in Europe was published. It includes material on Denmark, France, Hungary, Ireland, Moldova, The Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and
the UK.
Seed legislation, seed marketing, advocacy, seed systems, scientific publication, school and seminar, patents
Agrobiodiversity, seed savers, seed networks
Plant breeding, LLD Forum, news from members, news from other organizations
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The ECLLD - News! informs about events, ongoing projects and insights regarding cultivated biodiversity at European level.
We are very pleased with your interest in our challenges, our diversity is our strength!
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Legal Watch
The legal watch is realised by the French Farmers’ seeds network, Réseau Semences Paysannes. Informations are related to seeds marketing, intellectual property rights, genetic ressources.
It is presented in French.
on EU topics
- Plateforme ACLP, Communiqué du 27 février 2025 - L’ACLP participe à la table ronde sur la propriété intellectuelle et les semences au Salon international de l’agriculture de Paris 2025
- Convention sur la diversité biologique, Communiqué du 24 février 2025, Le Fonds de Cali est lancé en marge de la reprise de la session de la COP16
- OMPI, Communiqué du 5 décembre 2024 - Le Malawi est le premier pays à ratifier le Traité de l’OMPI sur la propriété intellectuelle, les ressources génétiques et les savoirs traditionnels associés
- Confédération suisse, Avis du Conseil fédéral sur le rapport de la CSEC-N relatif à la prolongation du moratoire sur le génie génétique, 29 janvier 2025
- ACLP, Communiqué du 5 février 2025 - L’ACLP organise une session d’information pour les décideurs politiques de l’UE
