Despite being the foundation of our food supply, most crop diversity collections lurch from one funding arrangement to the next without ever having any meaningful long-term security. The conservation of crop diversity is inexpensive relative to the massive benefits it brings. The reliability of funding is absolutely crucial – a shortfall of just a few months can lead to the permanent loss of unique varieties.
The proceeds from the Trust’s endowment fund are providing real financial security to collections of crop diversity by guaranteeing funding year on year, with no end date to the funding agreement. And as the endowment grows, so the Trust will be able to secure more and more crops. Currently, the Trust has signed agreements to provide ‘in perpetuity’ funding, annually, to some of the world’s most important collections of 17 crops. In some cases, grant agreements have also inspired significant matching commitments from the collection holders themselves, which have established their own endowment funds to supplement the funds they receive from the Trust.
Principles and funding criteria
In order for an institute to qualify for funding, it must adhere to a set of principles and criteria developed by the Trust. The principles and funding criteria can be downloaded below.
Investments The Trust is a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI), an international framework for incorporating sustainability into investment decision-making.
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