BOLD Results for Crop Diversity Conservation to Use

Genebanks and Seed Systems

In 2025, the Genebank and Seed Systems Toolkit and country-level assessments provided the foundation to transition from seed system research to implementation. Assessment findings were validated through multi-stakeholder consultations and translated into actionable interventions to enhance farmers’ access to crop diversity held in their country’s genebank. Building on this evidence, pilot project proposals were developed in four countries. These outline structured approaches to strengthen seed systems, increase farmers’ access to crop diversity and link genebanks more effectively with farmers and other downstream actors.

Detailed action research plans were developed to systematically assess the effectiveness and impact of these interventions, generating evidence on what works.

Major achievements of the year included:

• Published the Spanish version of the Ecuador seed system assessment report.
• Launched the first pilot project in Ecuador, including training and tricot trials on maize, beans, and potatoes at a highland site.
• Developed action research frameworks to assess the performance and impact of pilot interventions.

As BOLD seed systems work shifts to action and implementation, the project has established the partnerships, capacities and evidence base needed to connect genebanks with farmers and support more resilient and effective seed systems.

Safety Duplication at the Svalbard Global Seed Vault

The year 2025 marked the end of a four-year effort to support developing country regeneration and multi-level safety duplication of priority crop samples, with a goal to secure this diversity in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. The effort was a resounding success.

By the end of 2025, partners had regenerated 44,623 samples, exceeding the target of 40,000. A total of 33,497 were secured through first-level safety duplication at national, regional or international genebanks, with 34,881 accessions deposited in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault for second-level safety duplication.

As part of this effort partner genebanks received equipment and infrastructure improvements, including freezers and moisture meters. Training supported seed regeneration, processing, viability testing and data management. Seed fairs and field days were held to strengthen links between farmers, researchers and genebanks.

The project leaves a solid legacy – collections duplicated and backed up in the arctic Seed Vault, improved infrastructure and technical capacity, and a stronger genebank network.

Communications, Engagement and Outreach

In 2025, the Crop Trust highlighted the diverse work of our BOLD project team and partners around the world. A dedicated BOLD project liaison in the Crop Trust communications team led the effort to raise visibility of project activity and success stories:

• Twenty-six BOLD stories were published on the Crop Trust website and amplified on social media, including on partner channels.
• Four press releases were pushed to media outlets, one on the BOLD supported deposit into the Svalbard Global Seed Vault and three on new varieties.
• Conserving & Using Crop Diversity launched, encouraging users to explore how crops we eat are conserved, studied and used to build a more secure food future.
• Opportunity crops were the focus of the Crop Chronicles and took center stage at the Opportunity Crops: a BOLDER Approach to Food Security event in Bonn.
• A Communications Community of Practice was established with 10 national genebanks developing communications action plans and strategic outreach materials to highlight their work online and in their country’s media.

Crop Trust communications also supported technical development of the  Opportunity Crops Knowledge Base, ensuring the platform is optimized to document, organize and share knowledge. 

BOLDER (Building Opportunities for Lesser-known Diversity in Edible Resources)

A major focus of the Building Opportunities for Lesser-known Diversity in Edible Resources (BOLDER) initiative of the BOLD project in 2025 was the expansion of the Opportunity Crops Knowledge Base. A technical team met regularly to refine its structure and explore links with other platforms, including Genesys. The BOLDER team worked to strengthen the research foundation of the knowledge base, developing crop pages, partner profiles and informative briefs. A set of 477 academic and technical references related to neglected and underutilized species was compiled for the platform.

In addition to the Knowledge Base, the BOLDER initiative worked on several key areas for opportunity crops:

• A Food Systems Specialist and photojournalist were brought on board to document crop diversity in food systems, focusing on collecting research insights and opportunity crop value chains in Ghana, Benin, Tanzania and Uganda. Opportunity crop knowledge was shared through a GROW webinar that brought together experts working on crop diversity conservation and use.
• In September, BOLDER partners met in Bonn to review progress on the knowledge base and coordinate upcoming activities.