ZMAG's Community Seed Bank was founded in 2018 on the Recycled Estate in Vukomerić. It aims to contribute to the strengthening and improvement of the local seed system and the preservation of the greatest possible diversity of cultivated plants, with an emphasis on traditional and indigenous varieties. Greater crop diversity and the use of own seeds in the long run means greater resilience and adaptability of agroecosystems to biological and environmental challenges, and is therefore important for organic agriculture.
The Community Seed Bank is designed as an informal and locally managed institution owned by its members, open to the public, food producers, small-scale farmers, gardeners and consumers. We pay great attention to education, raising awareness and sharing knowledge about the importance of preserving local varieties, as well as promoting the sovereignty of seeds and food. All interested can support this project by joining the Community Seed Bank in one of the categories - gardener, sympathizer and patron.
In addition to running the Community Seed Bank, ZMAG organizes and participates in seed exchanges throughout Croatia. Our seed exchanges in Zagreb were known to attract over 300 visitors, they represent a moment of "live" contact among gardeners, and the possibility of exchanging information about different varieties. At the same time, they strengthen the network of local communities, as well as the will to persist in preserving traditional varieties, thus sending a clear message that seeds are no one's property and that everyone has an equal responsibility to take care of the common collection.
The project is implemented in cooperation with family farms, gardeners, civil society organizations: Plantaža, Permaculture Dalmatia, Kopriva, Garlic Šarac, Čelinac Seed Library, Gaia Kosovo, Duga, Gredica, Zeleno zlato, Banovina Heritage Interpretation Center, Volunteer's Centre, GMK, Nova WHW Gallery, Faculty of Agriculture - Student Internship, Institute of Genetic Resources in Banja Luka, Green Libraries of the Republic of Croatia, family farms Juratek and Turković.
Also Arche Noah, Community seed banks academy, Let’s Liberate Diversity and Liveseed, GEN global environments and Global diversity foundation
How to become a member of CSB?
Whether you are a gardener, small farmer, hobbyist, enthusiast, or you just want to financially support the work of the Community Seed Bank, you can also become a member of CSB and take advantage of various membership benefits, including free seed packets, manuals and discounts on workshops organized by ZMAG.
Find all the details and steps on the link HERE.
Implementation time
June 2018 - December 2022
Total project value
777.000,00 HRK
Contact person
Sendy Osmičević, Project Manager
Email: sendy_osmicevic@hotmail.com
Phone: +38591 5129 207
