The second forum of the Bilim alliance has been hosted by Gradina Moldovei and took place in Chisinau, Moldova, on May 20th-24th, 2025. Representatives from 15 countries and 20 different Civil Society Organizations agreed on a structured governance model with a Secretariat and a General Assembly, while remaining an informal space for peer sharing among agroecology organizations.
The Bilimers exchanged their practices, views and policy work regarding agricultural biodiversity and farmers’ seed systems; the importance of territories to defend rural communities and indigenous peoples’ Rights and the importance of controlling markets and income strategies. The Nyéléni Declaration on Agroecology, as well as UNDROP and UNDRIP are key frames for these efforts. The 2025 Forum hosted a series of practical activities, such as a seeds exchange and visits to a local fresh food market, a permaculture garden and an ecotourism place. A full report will be available soon.
The outcomes of the forum:
An agreed governance model consolidating the alliance, with an agreed secretariat and a general assembly co-chaired by Elkana and Alica Foundation.
An agreed common path including
A strengthened cooperation on agricultural biodiversity legal frameworks to protect and develop farmers seed systems
A continued sharing of experiences and practices for protecting, maintaining and recovering biodiversity in our territories
Stronger collaboration on the use of tools (LEADER, Biodistricts, GIAHS,…) to reinforce our territories, centering rural communities and indigenous peoples’ role in the governance of territorial food systems
A common commitment to strengthen subregional cooperation; looking at joining advocacy efforts, specifically on UNDROP implementation and UNCBD COP processes.
Plans to transform the current digital platform into an open forum (when funding is secured). The open forum will be publicly available and moderated, enabling the access in diverse local languages to agroecology actions and evidences
A strenghtened communication with FAO REU (Budapest, Hungary)
Looking forward to the 3d forum, in 2026, to be hosted by Zher-Ana Astana !
More info on Bilim: https://bilim.network/ With the Institute for Agroecology of the Vermont University, FAO REU and Agroecology Fund
