Coalition member networks

The Genomic Biodiversity Knowledgefor Resilient Ecosystems (G-BiKE) COST Action (now completed) helped to establish the use of genomic data as a standard tool for monitoring and managing wild and ex-situ populations of plants and animals in COST Action countries. G-BiKE's ultimate aim was to definitively integrate the measuring and monitoring of genetic diversity of all kinds of species in EU policy related to biodiversity, such as the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the EU Green Deal, the Natura 2000 sites framework, and the Habitats Directive. G-BiKE was a “COST Action”—a specific networking project financed by the EU under the H2020 Framework—funded from March 2019 to 2023, and built on the previously EU-funded project ConGRESS. G-BiKE had a clear European dimension with 39 COST-associated countries involved (including Turkey and Israel) plus four so-called Near Neighboring Countries (Tunisia, Algeria, Jordan, and Armenia). More than 100 practitioners and scientists were officially registered as members. G-BiKE has now evolved into a Collaborative Network in 2025. Although not a legal entity, it operates under a specific MoU, allowing members to exchange researchers, share infrastructure, and collaborate in European conservation genetics. G-BiKE can join EU calls as an Associated Partner, being officially listed in projects, though funding must come from recognized entities like universities or research centers. Joining G-BiKE is straightforward: the applicant sends a motivation letter to G-BiKE’s Chair and after receiving the General Assembly approval, the applicant institution's legal representative must sign the MoU.

For additional information about the G-BiKE COST Action, please visit the G-BiKE website.

The GEO BON Genetics Composition working group focuses on providing the scientific and technical tools and information necessary for improving and operationalizing genetic monitoring in practice. This group is aligned with the mission of GEO BON to acquire, coordinate, and deliver biodiversity observations to the scientific community and decision makers. The GCWG is one of several working groups in GEO BON focusing on various levels of biodiversity. This group was originally formed in 2012 but was dormant and was ‘revived’ in 2018, and has been active since. The GCWG is working to support, aggregate, and leverage genetic biodiversity monitoring data, and develop standards, metadata definitions, and open data platforms. The group has specifically focused on EBVs and indicators. GCWG has proposed genetic essential biodiversity variables (EBVs, Pereira et al., 2013, GEO BON Handbook), as a means of summarizing genetic statistics in a standardized fashion across all studies in order to increase comparability across many studies (Hoban et al 2022). The group also has worked on proxy based indicators for genetic diversity monitoring at regional, national, and global scales, being one of the lead groups that helped establish the Ne 500 and PM indicators. The group’s focus also includes the investigation of genetic diversity in relation to other levels of biodiversity (species, traits, and ecosystems) and documenting change over time. The GCWG has hosted several virtual symposia but has mostly worked on specific projects (such as EBVs, indicators, and genetic data standards). GEO BON as an organization has developed a close relationship with the Secretariat of the CBD and a number of countries around the world and has been very active at CBD COPs. 

For additional information about the GEO BON GCWG, please visit the GEO BON website.

Formed in 2014, the Conservation Genetics Specialist Group is part of the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the IUCN (a global organization of 18,000 experts that provides guidance on safeguarding the planet). The CGSG was founded in 2015 to promote the use of genetics in conservation management and decision making to assist the SSC in applying genetics to threatened species, and to lead the development and analysis of genetic data in conservation. CGSG works on policy development and assists other Specialist Groups within the SSC to carry out necessary research for their missions, including the application of molecular tools and the interpretation of results (e.g., for identifying conservation units or the taxonomic status of species, understanding population genetic diversity, and improving in-situ and ex-situ genetic management). In addition, CGSG focuses on raising public awareness of the importance of genetic diversity. CGSG comprises scientists and practitioners organized in regional chapters across the world. CGSG develops IUCN guidance documents and statements (e.g., on monitoring genetic diversity and biobanking), puts forward resolutions to the World Conservation Congress highlighting the importance of genetic diversity, and actively engages in CBD genetic targets and the Key Biodiversity Area standards. CGSG has also organized a number of conservation genetics meetings at international conferences as well as producing and contributing to scientific literature relevant for decision making.

The Conservation Genetics Working Group of the Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) was created within the SCB with the purpose of promoting the use of genetic data to address real world problems in conservation studies and management decisions. Conservation manager and academic researcher partnerships are critical to the conservation of biological diversity, and this group was established as a forum to foster these relationships through bi-directional communication and education. A key charge of the group is to understand the challenges in creating manager-academic partnerships, and to facilitate communication through online forums (the SCB website, email list, and social media pages), and in-person interdisciplinary conference sessions and workshops. CGWG's membership consists primarily of North American and European managers and scientists but includes members from around the world. Overall, CGWG fosters an open and welcoming platform where students, practitioners, policymakers, and other conservation enthusiasts from around the world can meet and connect, regardless of career stage or professional background.

For additional information about the SCB CGWG, please visit the SCB website.

The Genetic Nature Observation and Action consortium is a European network to facilitate connections between researchers and practitioners of genetic diversity. This organization has the goal of emphasizing and better integrating genetic biodiversity into conservation policy and practice. GENOA is a COST Action funded by the European Union to include members from across Europe. GENOA seeks to combat the lagging integration of genetic information into conservation by supporting research coordination and increasing capacity building for studying genetic biodiversity.

By promoting the use of indicators of genetic health of populations, GENOA seeks to affordably and efficiently monitor genetic biodiversity. This is especially crucial amidst global biodiversity loss and lagging integration of genetic monitoring into European conservation efforts. GENOA will co-develop dissemination packages to both inform and engage with targeted stakeholders to enable better understanding of genetic diversity information. Monitoring, reporting, and application of genetic data will improve and contribute to biodiversity conservation. Additionally, GENOA will increase awareness to the public of genetic diversity as the foundation of biodiversity at all levels, as well as better use of genetic information in application. The GENOA network is open for new participants to join the knowledge-sharing hub.

This will be accomplished through five working groups. WG1 “Policy” aims to support the integration of genetic diversity protection, management, and conservation into policies at all levels within the EU  in close cooperation with European policymakers. WG2 “Indicators” creates simple and practical support tools that will increase Europe’s capacity to monitor genetic diversity using indicators. WG3 “Genes to Ecosystems” works with WG1 to enhance species and ecosystem management by utilizing genetic diversity knowledge while collaborating with stakeholders to refine its use in conservation practices. WG4 “Engagement” bridges communication divides to increase public awareness of genetic diversity through a multidisciplinary approach, addressing challenges of communicating to conservation managers, policymakers, and the public. WG5 “Communication and Collaboration” networks and coordinates among conservation organizations to promote collaboration across biodiversity pillars (genes, species, ecosystems) as well as communicates internally between WG’s to maintain coherence within GENOA.

For additional information about the GENOA project, please visit theCOST website or our GENOA website.

The Genetic Indicators for NAture MOnitoring (GINAMO) project is a three-year collaborative research initiative (2024 – 2027) funded by EU Biodiversa+. This international consortium brings together researchers from eleven institutions across eight countries—Belgium, Sweden, Germany, Norway, Denmark, France, Italy, and the USA—combining expertise in population genetics, Social science, data management, and conservation policy. GINAMO addresses a critical gap in biodiversity monitoring: the practical implementation of genetic diversity indicators.  

The project develops accessible frameworks for monitoring genetic diversity using two key indicators incorporated into the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework: the proportion of populations with effective size greater than 500 (Ne>500), and the proportion of populations maintained within species. A core component of GINAMO is its close collaboration with policymakers at national and European levels, including engagement with the EU CBD Knowledge Centre on Biodiversity (KCBD) and the Joint Research Centre (JRC), to support the reporting and policy use of these genetic diversity indicators under the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Through a co-creation approach, GINAMO has united researchers, policymakers, and nature managers in five countries (Sweden, Norway, Belgium, France and Italy) to discuss what challenges there are with regards to these new indicators. Together we develop methodologies that are both scientifically rigorous and practically implementable, from various data sources (including non-DNA data). In addition, scientific outputs, e.g., the calculation of genetic indicators for European bird species and the analysis of how life-history traits influence these indicators represent concrete, practical, and scalable resources that countries and the EU can adopt in future biodiversity reporting.Lessons learned and methodologies developed can be more broadly implemented across countries. The project transforms genetic monitoring from aspiration to reality, providing countries with practical tools to meet biodiversity reporting obligations while supporting comprehensive conservation efforts.

For additional information about the GINAMO project, please visit the Biodiversa+ website, our blog site, or watch our project video.

Latin American and Caribbean Network for Conservation, Management and Sustainable Use of Forest Genetic Resources (LACFORGEN) aims to exchange knowledge, information, and experiences among people dedicated to forestry research, teaching, and other activities related to the characterization, monitoring, and conservation of forest genetic diversity and its use in genetic improvement, restoration, and forest ecosystem management programs. Currently, the Network has more than 160 members from approximately 18 LAC countries.

Virtual discussions and thematic conferences are held on various topics of interest by Network members. In person meetings are organized attached to congresses or in virtual form. Courses on genetic diversity of forest ecosystems are given in person or virtually.

We submitted our application to the CYTED (Ibero-American Science and Technology for Development) call for proposals in 2023 to obtain funding for the network. Our GENFOMEC proposal (Conservation and Management of Forest Genetic Diversity in OMEC Areas, managed by indigenous and peasant communities) was approved. With this funding, international courses are held in person once a year, focusing on knowledge exchange communities, management of forest ecosystems and the importance of conserving genetic diversity of forests.