Seeds of Growth: Strengthening Community Seed Banks and Sustainable Seed-Saving Practices in Europe (Erasmus+ KA210-ADU-1727BE52)
This Capacity Gap Analysis, authored for the Seeds of Growth Erasmus+ project, maps knowledge levels, learning priorities and participation barriers among seed savers, Community Seed Bank (CSB) managers, seed librarians, farmers, educators, researchers and related actors across Europe. Based on an online survey (140 completed responses collected October–December 2025, available in four languages), the report finds strong grassroots engagement in seed saving but important gaps in capacities needed for more structured, sustainable CSBs. The largest confidence gaps are funding and sustainability, starting and managing CSBs, collaboration with research institutions, and navigating seed-sharing legal frameworks. Respondents show strong interest in practical topics (seed conservation techniques, community organising, seed stock management) and prefer a blended learning approach combining hands-on workshops, online resources, webinars, printed guides and peer exchange. The analysis recommends delivering three CSB Labs focused on CSB establishment and management, seed health and quality, and seed policy/legal frameworks, complemented by an open-access Seed Knowledge Hub and peer exchange visits to convert latent interest into active participation and strengthen CSB practice across partner countries.
Key topics: community seed banks, seed saving, capacity building, seed policy, seed health and quality, seed stock management, training and education, funding and sustainability
