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Biodiversity for Opportunities, Livelihoods and Development

A 10-year project to strengthen food and nutrition security worldwide by supporting the conservation and use of crop diversity. Led by the Crop Trust, BOLD builds on the Crop Wild Relatives Project (2011–2021), which conserved and used the wild relatives of crops to help future-proof the world’s food supply.

Launched in 2021, BOLD is funded by the Government of Norway.

BOLD Project in Numbers

40+

Genebanks receiving support to regenerate and back up key collections at the Svalbard Global Seed Vault

USD 80M 

from the Government of Norway

52

partner countries

Anne Beathe headshot

Biodiversity is crucial for sustainable food systems. This understanding is part of the reason for Norway’s establishment of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. We are pleased to support BOLD as it effectively translates conservation of crop diversity in genebanks into development outcomes related to food security.

Anne Beathe Tvinnereim Minister of International Development, Norway

Focus Areas

Capacity and Resource Development

Capacity and Resource Development: BOLD is working with 15 national genebanks in ­Africa, Asia and Latin America to strengthen their capacity to manage, document, conserve and back up the crop diversity that they hold. Read more

Making New Crop Diversity Available

Making New Crop Diversity Available: Building on the foundations laid by the pre-breeding and evaluation work done under the CWR Project, BOLD is continuing efforts to broaden the genetic base of seven key food and forage crops. Read more

Genebanks and Seed Systems

Genebanks and Seed Systems: The project is working with partners in Bhutan, Ecuador, Tanzania and Uganda to understand their seed systems and to use this knowledge to develop models of genebank engagement that other countries will be able to use and adapt. Read more

Safety Duplication at Svalbard Global Seed Vault

BOLD is providing technical and financial support to more than 30 partners around the world to help them regenerate seeds from their collections and to back them up both at another genebank and send them to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault for long-term safekeeping: Read more

Neglected and Underutilized Species

Neglected and Underutilized Species: This new initiative, BOLDER — Building Opportunities for Lesser-known Diversity in Edible Resources — will enhance the conservation, production and consumption of key neglected and underutilized crops that are nutritious, robust, environment-friendly and important for local communities. 

Communications, Engagement and Outreach

Communications, Engagement and Outreach: BOLD is building a sustainable community of practice among partners to improve communication, outreach capacity and knowledge exchange. Read more

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