The network will maintain broad partnerships for the purpose of enriching the technical expertise, complementarity and avoidance of duplication of efforts. The main partners are the IARC’s and ASARECA networks whose missions and objectives overlap with those of EAPGREN. This includes such networks as RAIN and AfricaLink in the area of information, ECAPAPA on policy issues and crop networks in conservation and use components. The crop networks tend to have narrow focus on germplasm evaluation and utilization in crop improvement programmes. Their mandates could be broadened to include PGR conservation components. Other partners will include NGOs particularly in raising of public awareness and community level PGR conservation, Universities in research and training, International research organizations for expertise in their mandated areas, relevant UN agencies and private sector. Specific nature and scope of partnerships will be addressed through the network’s Thematic Working Groups.

Network beneficiaries

The project will have six major groups of participants and beneficiaries. These include:

1. National gene banks/National PGR centers, biodiversity centers, tree seed centers, herbaria, genetic improvement programmes, and other national units with PGR activities.

2. Universities and other training institutions

3. NGO's and CBO’s

4. The private sector enterprises

5. Farming community: The rural population of the region which stands to benefit from sound PGR management into the future or which stands to suffer from its mismanagement.

6. International organisations, IARCs, multilateral and bilateral agencies.

Supporting agencies

Sida provides the funding. Additional funding is made available by national programs through the provision of scientific and technical staff among others.