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The project will provide direct support to improve genebank documentation systems, operational capacity, and critical infrastructure. A focused study on accessibility will ensure the system meets its ultimate goal: providing reliable access to users. Raising awareness among stakeholders about the project’s activities and outcomes will generate multiple benefits. Breeders will become aware that genebanks are conserving well-characterized, high-quality material; policymakers will recognize the improved efficiency and effectiveness of genebank operations; and both groups will see the value of strengthened collaboration among European genebanks in safeguarding and using plant genetic resources.
Project duration: 01.11.2025 – 31.12.2026
As part of the preparation of the State of the World Report on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Aquatic Genetic Resources (SoW-AqGR, 2019), the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA) found that there was no suitable, publicly accessible database for the extensive data submitted. It also became clear that countries were using inconsistent names for species and breeds. To address this problem, the global information system AquaGRIS was developed as part of the GCP/GLO/970/GER project. AquaGRIS prepares information on the genetic diversity of aquaculture organisms according to agreed standards and makes it available to the public. This project is the follow-up project to implement the system after the development of AquaGRIS. The project aims to help countries improve their knowledge of the status of their aquatic resources and strengthen their capacity for long-term monitoring, conservation, sustainable use and development of these resources. The project also supports the implementation phase of the Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Aquatic Genetic Resources (GPA AqGR). The focus is on capacity building, strengthening monitoring and reporting systems, and establishing AquaGRIS as a global management tool.
Project duration: 15.09.2024 – 31.05.2027
The project is embedded in the European Cooperation Programme for Plant Genetic Resources (ECPGR) and aims to establish a European evaluation network (EVA) for grain legumes and the basis for a network for perennial crops (berry and fruit tree species). These networks promote the systematic characterisation and evaluation of genetic resources for better use in research and breeding.
Focus on grain legumes: Grain legumes such as chickpeas, lentils, beans, peas, lupins and faba beans contribute to soil fertility and are important, environmentally friendly sources of protein. The project involves the evaluation of accessions at up to 10 locations in Europe, where phenotypic and genotypic data will be collected according to agreed uniform standards and integrated into the European search catalogue EURISCO.
Perennials: The project will also lay the foundations for a network to evaluate berry and fruit trees to ensure their sustainable use under climate change conditions.
The project will strengthen cooperation between breeding, research and agriculture to optimise the use of genetic resources and further develop protein-producing plants.
Project duration: 01.09.2024 – 31.12.2027
