Social Innovation: Transnational Seed Exchange Networks [AFFILIATED]

Published on April 7, 2017

By looking at how social innovation happens in seed exchange networks, we study how networks form against the increasing spread of input-intensive industrial agriculture, and the disempowerment and economic and cultural poverty that resulted from it, and how they are consciously aimed at changing social relations surrounding agriculture.

Seed exchange networks bring increasing diversity in food systems and contribute to SFS by the renewal of cultivated diversity for sustainable food systems. We are initiating to build partnership and extended networking system about agrobiodiversity. We seek to set up a hub for innovative governance models within citizens’ initiatives and also to establish such networks around in-situ conservation, agrobiodiversity. This project directly contributes to SFS Programme objective 1, as it raises awareness of a globally disempowered group’s sustainable agricultural and social practices. It also exactly contributes to Sub-Work area 1, especially priority activity a) by conducting and disseminating a case study of successful community-based innovations for sustainable food consumption and production. The project has a connection to Millenium Development Goals 2 (Hunger), 10 (Inequality), 12 (Sustainable consumption and production), 13 (Climate change) in an indirect, awareness-raising and stock-taking fashion. Our previous research shows that seed exchange networks bring increasing diversity in food systems and contribute to SFS by the renewal of cultivated diversity for sustainable food systems. We are initiating to build partnership and extended networking system in relation to agrobiodiversity conservation and maintenance. We are looking at innovative governance models within citizens’ initiatives, community seed banks and seek to establish such networks around in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity where they do not currently exist. Strengthening the collaboration of seed exchange networks through new partnerships. Contact: http://www.essrg.hu or http://dynaversity.eu