The second Bilim Alliance Agroecology Forum was hosted by Gradina Moldovei and took place in Chisinau, Moldova, on May 20–24, 2025. Representatives from 15 countries and 20 different Civil Society Organizations participated in the Forum. They agreed on a structured governance model with a Secretariat and a General Assembly, while maintaining the Alliance as 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. Discussions also addressed the importance of territories in defending rural communities and indigenous peoples’ rights, as well as the importance of controlling markets and income strategies. The Nyéléni Declaration on Agroecology, UNDROP and UNDRIP are key frameworks for these efforts.
Outcomes of the Bilim Forum 2025
- 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 such as LEADER, Biodistricts and GIAHS to reinforce our territories. This work will centre the role of rural communities and indigenous peoples 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 forum will be publicly available and moderated. It will provide access in diverse local languages to agroecology actions and evidence.
- A strenghtened communication with FAO REU (Budapest, Hungary)
Looking forward to the 3d forum, in 2026, hosted by Zher-Ana Astana !