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.
So many European research projects or informal processes lead to the question of how to use and maintain agrobiodiversity, which is dramatically disappearing. For this reason, without relying on political or institutional processes, we can immediately start with Community Seed Banks.
What are Community Seed Banks? CSBs have been founded since the early 1980s worldwide. In Europe, they are based on networks of seed savers, gardeners, and farmers. CSBs maintain agricultural biodiversity, enhance access to locally adapted seeds and plants, provide training, and contribute to sustainable agriculture and food sovereignty.
For over 40 years, CSBs have counteracted the loss of locally adapted crops through dynamic, collective management. In Europe, CSBs have grown rapidly in the last 15 years, raising public awareness of plant and seed diversity, protecting local varieties, and contributing to a sustainable food system.
Through the #DYNAVERSITY project, EC-LLD has produced three manuals to help establish and manage CSBs and navigate exchange laws.
Technical Manual Series on CSBs
Manual #1: Establishment, Management, and Governance
This manual covers starting and managing a CSB, including seed selection and multiplication, with practical tips for effective management.
Manual #2: Documentation Systems
Learn how to manage your CSB database to ensure the accessibility and quality of your seed collection information.
Manual #3: Regulating Access to Germplasm and Benefit Sharing
Understand the laws, directives, treaties, and conventions affecting seeds and their access, and the benefits of collaboration between genebanks and CSBs.
