The European Green Deal is a response to the current climate and environmental challenges. DEAL4EU is a network of 8 different European towns (in Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Italy, Montenegro, Bulgaria and Cyprus) that will promote Green Deal values, objectives and policies among youngsters in order to make them Green ambassadors in their own home territories. At this regard, DEAL4EU aims to disseminate the Green Deal among youngsters, improve awareness about environmental and climatic issues, improve knowledge about the role of the European citizens in the Green Deal, and create synergies among European territories and citizens to protect, conserve and enhance the EU's natural capital, and protect the health and well-being of citizens from environment-related risks and impacts. in order to learn about the EU environmental policies and strategies and about how participate in the civic life, becoming European ambassadors about green strategies in their home town.

MAIN OBJECTIVES:

- Improve awareness about environmental and climatic issues.

- Improve knowledge about the role of the European citizens in the Green Deal.

- Create synergies among European territories and citizens to protect, conserve

and enhance the EU's natural capital, and protect the health and well-being of

citizens from environment-related risks and impacts.

- Better understanding of the project’s outcomes, members of the network, work

methodology and results to be reached.

- Better understanding of the reasons and the causes of Euroscepticism

Have you heard of Heirloom seeds? Seed banks? Seed Sovereignty? Why are these topics important?

The majority of heirloom seeds are open- pollinated, meaning that they reproduce themselves from seed. The plants from these seeds grow true to that variety. When they are grown they will be the same as the parent plant. Seeds from the parent plant can be collected and re-planted next year giving the farmers and gardeners independence.

Hybrid seeds are the most common and easily available seeds today. They are used by large farming companies and are a cross between two varieties but the seeds from hybrid plants are either sterile or revert back to one of the original varieties when replanted. They won't be the same as the parent plant and therefore growers are required to buy new seeds every season.

Seed Sovereignty reclaims seeds and Biodiversity as commons and public good. The farmer's rights to breed and exchange diverse Open Source Seeds which can be saved and which are not patented, genetically modified, owned or controlled by emerging seed giants.

A seed bank is a place where seeds are stored to preserve genetic diversity for the future. They are usually flood, bomb and radiation-proof vaults holding jars of seeds from different plant species.

The seeds are typically kept at low humidity and in cold conditions - around -20°C. This helps to preserve the seeds, ensuring they can still grow when they are needed later. More than 1,000 seed banks exist around the world, varying in type, size and focus.

Is the EU addressing any of these issues within the EUROPEAN GREEN DEAL?

Climate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to Europe and the world. To overcome these challenges, the European Green Deal will transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy. In theory.

In practise - The Farm to Fork Strategy will aim to accelerate transition to a sustainable food system that should:

➔  Have a neutral or positive environmental impact

➔  Help to mitigate climate change and adapt to its impacts

➔  Reverse the loss of biodiversity

➔  Ensure food security, nutrition and public health, making sure that everyone has access to sufficient, safe, nutritious, sustainable food

➔  Preserve affordability of food while generating fairer economic returns, fostering competitiveness of the EU supply sector and promoting fair trade

That includes, tackling Food Waste and ensuring SEED DIVERSITY AND SAFETY!

Climate change brings new threats to plant health. Sustainable food systems also rely on seed security and diversity. Farmers need to have access to a range of quality seeds for plant varieties adapted to the pressures of climate change. The EU Commission will take measures to facilitate the registration of seed varieties, including for organic farming, and to ensure easier market access for traditional an locally-adapted varieties