The European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources (ECPGR) (formerly "European Cooperative Programme for Crop Genetic Resources Networks - ECP/GR) was founded in 1980 based on the recommendations of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Genebank Committee of the European Association for Research on Plant Breeding (EUCARPIA).

ECPGR is a collaborative programme among most European countries, aiming at ensuring the long-term conservation and facilitating the utilization of plant genetic resources in Europe. 

The Programme, financed by the participating countries and coordinated by a Secretariat, operates through Working Groups dealing with groups of crops or with general themes related to plant genetic resources.

ECPGR is guided by a Steering Committee (SC), consisting of the National Coordinators of the member countries. The SC nominates an Executive Committee (ExCo) composed of five persons, to plan and execute the ECPGR activities, as decided upon by the SC.

 

 

 

 

Related Information

Memoranda of Understanding (MoU)

  • Global Crop Diversity Trust - February 2020 (see here)
  • FAO International Treaty on PGRFA - December 2016 (see here)

Public awareness documents

  • AEGIS Leaflet: A European Genebank Integrated System (August 2022) [PDF]
  • ECPGR Leaflet: ECPGR Phase XI (September 2023) [PDF]
  • EVA Leaflet: EVA - The European Evaluation Network [PDF]

Publications