Crop wild relatives (CWR) are wild plant taxa closely related to a crop. They represent an important source of genetic diversity for the improvement of agronomic traits. In the context of the One Health Initiative, temperate fruit trees are essential for human nutrition and health, yet CWR resources have hitherto been underused. Moreover, fruit tree long lifespan and a current production dominated by a few cultivars make them particularly vulnerable to the effects of global changes. To address this challenge, the FRUITDIV project will monitor, characterise, use, and conserve the diversity of emblematic fruit tree CWR, with a particular emphasis on Malus, Pyrus and Prunus. To better characterise the genetic and phenotypic diversity of CWR fruit trees and identify favourable traits for future introgression into cultivars, FRUITDIV will use a combination of floristic, ethnogeography and population genomics on genebanks and historical European hotspots of diversity. We will then develop new multiomics-based breeding strategies that combine marker-assisted introgression for traits of interest (e.g. resilience, resistance to pests and diseases, fruit quality) with pangenomic prediction and a reduction of CWR-associated genetic load. In addition to breeding programs, FRUITDIV will also work with networks of farmers and associations to help characterise CWR progeny in various pedo-climatic conditions in Europe. An European-wide online platform that provides genotyping and phenotyping data for free will be implemented to promote the use of CWR genitors by breeders and farmers and help disseminate plant material of interest for various usages and cultivation systems. Overall, the FRUITDIV multi-actor approach involving geneticists, forestry officers, germplasm curators, farmers and citizens, will foster the in- and ex-situ conservation of CWR and promote sustainable agricultural practices across Europe.

The overarching objective of Farmer’s Pride is to establish a network of stakeholders and conservation sites that effectively coordinates conservation actions to safeguard the wealth of Europe’s in situ plant genetic resources (PGR) and integrates the user community to maximize their sustainable use. Specifically, to address the challenge and scope of the SFS-04-2017 work programme, Farmer’s Pride will: a) build relationships between existing diverse PGR stakeholder networks, and where necessary create new partnerships to establish a unified network of stakeholders involved in PGR conservation and sustainable use; b) enhance existing knowledge of European landrace and crop wild relative genetic diversity and showcase how it can be effectively secured and managed; c) use social science and economic tools to establish the value of in situ PGR populations and individual traits, as well as a cost effective means of conserving them; d) use predictive characterization methods to identify valuable traits in in situ PGR populations, targeting those most vital for satisfying future agricultural and market needs; e) establish a mechanism to facilitate the flow of plant genetic material from in situ populations to the user community, both directly and via ex situ collections; f) develop and establish a durable governance and resourcing structure for the European network of in situ PGR conservation sites and stakeholders; g) promote public awareness of the value of PGR for agriculture and consumers; and h) design and implement a network of European sites and stakeholders that conserves the breadth of PGR diversity found in situ. Through these activities, Farmer’s Pride will result in significant strengthening of European capacities for the conservation, management and sustainable use of in situ PGR as a foundation for increased competitiveness in the farming and breeding sectors, and ultimately for long-term food and nutritional security in Europe.

<< Objectives >>1) carry out vocational education trainings for farmers, employees of seed and breeding initiatives on the topic of organic-participatory plant breeding, and thus build skills in this sustainable sector2) establish a regular transnational exchange of knowledge on organic-participatory plant breeding3) inform other agricultural stakeholders and motivate them to cooperate4) communicate common demands to decision-makers.<< Implementation >>- Kick-off meeting to coordinate the two project partners- Development of a position paper, involving selected stakeholders- two training courses (in Germany and Austria) for those involved in organic-participatory plant breeding- Production of a short film about organic-participatory breeding activities- Dissemination of the position paper, the short film and the contents of the training courses to different target groups.<< Results >>- Actors in seed and breeding initiatives have received further training in organic-participatory breeding (breeding methods and organizational models) and have taken steps to establish long-term exchange. The contents of the meeting have been well documented so that they can be used for further educational events.- A position paper has been prepared and distributed in a long and a short version.- A short film has been produced and distributed.

<< Objectives >>In this project we want to:1) analyze the status quo of preservation work and cooperation on fruits and berries in Germany (D), Austria (Ö) and adjacent neighboring countries and identify fields of action.2) build capacities and learn from each other3) build a strong partnership and a transnational network4) establish a transnational knowledge exchange on molecular genetic variety identification with their corresponding reference lists.<< Implementation >>- Research on fruit and berry conservation and network building as ongoing work- Kick-off meeting on status quo and development of fruit and berry preservation at PSR and AN- Deepened knowledge exchange on molecular genetic variety identification- 3 visits to Ö and D: variety preservation and knowledge management, in-depth networking- Round table on knowledge transfer of molecular genetic reference lists- Documentation and evaluation (strategy paper and depiction of the preservation network<< Results >>The current state of fruit and berry preservation as well as gaps and fields of action in D, Ö and adjacent neighboring countries were elaborated in a strategy paper and mapped in an overview of the preservation network. The established round table and guideline serve as a blueprint for transnational exchange for molecular genetic reference lists.These findings and resulting demands were presented to decision makers on political and institutional level.

"<< Objectives >>This project proposal aims to reinforce the capacity of organisations striving to conserve and use seed diversity locally, whether as small-scale farmers, seed savers associations, researchers or engaged citizens to understand and monitor the public policies that impact these seeds, which are a heavily regulated resource. SEEDING EUROPE is designed to raise their involvement in European policy-making, where they could advocate for an enabling legislative environment for their concrete activities<< Implementation >>We will carry out a comprehensive virtual training program coined “Seed Policy Labs” on European law and Communication (total of 8 webinars with language interpretation), organise a physical workshop in Brussels, develop and publish a didactic ""Guide to European Seed Policy"" (translated into different languages), hold several dissemination and multiplication events, including mentoring sessions to transform the theoretical knowledge gained into concrete policy and advocacy actions.<< Results >>We will develop long-lasting and accessible informational tools (training modules and didactic guide) to enhance the capacity of small-scale organisations and individuals dedicated to seed diversity to engage in European policy debates, and defend human rights to seeds. We will train more than 50 seed diversity actors from at least 9 EU States, and make some of them see how decisions are made in Brussels, for more participative engagement in policymaking."