‘Naptek’ ‒ National Programme on Local and Traditional Knowledge Concerning the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity, and ‘Pom’ ‒ Programme for Diversity of Cultivated Plants

The National Programme on Plant Genetic Resources (‘Pom’), focussing on the conservation and sustainable use of PGR as well as documenting relevant traditional knowledge, started in 2000. This programme is still ongoing, and the volume of publications targeting local and traditional knowledge (LTK) and cultivated plants is extensive. In December 2005, the Swedish government also launched the national programme ‘Naptek’ on local and traditional knowledge (LTK) concerning the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. Naptek’s aim was to safeguard relevant traditional knowledge, innovations and practices in relation to article 8(j) of the CBD, adding work on article 10(c). From the start, the Swedish Biodiversity Centre coordinated the Naptek programme in direct collaboration with the Swedish Saami Parliament on issues concerning the Saami traditions. Other relevant tradition holders/stakeholders were also included in the process, e.g. farmers. The programme is now closed, but Naptek’s publication record is extensive; a follow-on programme under the Environmental Protection Agency strictly refers to the Saami community.