Capitalizing on experiences on community seed production in Europe and Central Asia

Albin, A.; Coutinho, A.B.;

Capitalizing on experiences on community seed production in Europe and Central Asia

Review report of implementation, constraints and opportunities

Year of publication 2025

Place of publication Budapest, Hungary ;

Pages 96 p.

Author Albin, A.; Coutinho, A.B.;

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Book (stand-alone)

ISBN 978-92-5-140147-7

Full item page

To cite or share https://doi.org/10.4060/cd7073en

Synopsis (short abstract) This publication, "Capitalizing on experiences in community seed production in Europe and Central Asia: Review report of implementation, constraints, and opportunities" examines the concept of community seed production, its link to different types of seed systems, existing challenges, and role of smallholders in community seeds.Key messages:• Community seed production has the potential to enhance the positive impacts of both the formal and informal seed systems through better coordinated efforts.• Smallholders play an important role in preservation of agrobiodiversity, and namely preservation of traditional crops and local varieties.• Recognition of community seeds and smallholders can help to overcome current issues in seed systems, making the later more sustainable and resilient.• Community seed production supports sustainable agrifood systems, and complements foraging wild plants, permaculture and agroecology.• Modern interest in community seed production is fuelled by concerns about agrobiodiversity loss and resilience of seed and agriculture systems.This work provides examples of community seed production initiatives, ranging from community seed banks to large seed networks, and explores both the constraints and opportunities in adopting community seed production at a larger scale in Europe and Central Asia.Ultimately, this publication presents an overview of the implementation of community seed production activities in the region, as well as good practices from selected projects which reflect the complex character and diversity of initiatives supporting existing seed systems.

Cite this content as:

Albin, A. & Coutinho, A.B. 2025. Capitalizing on experiences on community seed production in Europe and Central Asia – Review report of implementation, constraints and opportunities. Budapest, FAO.

https://doi.org/10.4060/cd7073en

Language English

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

Booklet

Seeds of Heritage: The Journey of GIAHS in Europe and Central Asia 2025

Also available in:

No results found.

This booklet presents the progress and future steps of the FAO programme Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) in the Europe and Central Asia region. It aims to provide a clear overview of the regional current state of identification and dynamic conservation of these agricultural heritage systems,highlighting their role as "living laboratories” of resilience, biodiversity, cultural heritage and sustainable agricultural practices to global challenges.FAO’s Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) has led the implementation of the 2022–2025 GIAHS regional roadmap, focusing on site recognition, natural capital preservation, and local economic development. A regional consultation identified key challenges—climate change, agrobiodiversity loss, and weakened traditional knowledge—alongside opportunities such as tourism, youth engagement, and policy support. The proposed next steps beyond this roadmap already closing in 2025, includes strengthening regional networks, fostering public-private partnerships, and expanding training and market access to ensure dynamic conservation and promote GIAHS as a model for sustainable, climate-resilient rural development.The publication enhances the visibility of FAO and its partners, reinforces the role of GIAHS in agrifood system transformation, and is expected to stimulate new nominations, partnerships, and investments. It adds value by positioning GIAHS as a key contributor to sustainable development goals and regional cooperation.
Book (stand-alone)

Capitalizing on experiences on permaculture in Europe and Central Asia
Practical manual for small-food producers Part 2
2025

Also available in:

No results found.

This publication "Capitalizing on experiences on permaculture in Europe and Central Asia: Practical manual for small-food producers", is the second part of a two-part series, which also includes "Capitalizing on experiences on permaculture in Europe and Central Asia: Review report of implementation, constraints, and opportunities".The manual focuses on food and agriculture-related practices that support the integration of sustainable agriculture and food systems into broader ecosystems. It aims to promote balance between agriculture and the environment, as well as between individual and collective needs contributing to better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life. In addition, the manual provides practical examples of how permaculture principles can be applied in food gardening and small-scale farming, encouraging human imagination and creativity to drive innovative solutions to challenges in agriculture and food production.
Book (stand-alone)

Capitalizing on experiences of permaculture in Europe and Central Asia
Review report of implementation, constraints and opportunities. Part 1
2025

Also available in:

No results found.

This publication, "Capitalizing on experiences on permaculture in Europe and Central Asia: Review report of implementation, constraints, and opportunities", is the first part of a two part publication. The review report provides an in-depth look at the practice of permaculture in Europe and Central Asia, exploring its ethics and principles, as well as its benefits and application.The publication examines the concept of permaculture, its origin and its comprehensive approach to farming and food production, with diversity being at the heart of the permaculture approach. Multiple functional connections created by diversity make permaculture production similar to self-regulating natural and semi-natural ecosystems. It outlines the ethics of permaculture, which are covered by three pillars and 12 design principles, exploring each principle and the benefits these bring to farmers and food producers. This publication also presents an overview of the implementation of permaculture activities in the region, as well as good practices from selected projects which reflect the multifaceted and multilevel character of the permaculture approach.