Navdanya International

What Navdanya International does

Navdanya International is a non-profit advocacy, education, and publishing organization headquartered in Florence, Italy, with operational offices in Rome. Established as the international arm of the India-based Navdanya network (founded in 1987 by Dr. Vandana Shiva), the organization was formalized in Italy around 2011-2012 and operates as an Onlus (Organizzazione Non Lucrativa di Utilità Sociale). Its mission centers on seed freedom, agroecology, biodiversity protection, and food sovereignty, opposing corporate control of seeds and food systems through patents, GMOs, and synthetic pesticides. The organization is led by President Dr. Vandana Shiva and employs approximately 15 staff.

The organization's product portfolio is programmatic rather than commercial. Core programs include Terrae Vivae (a European ecoliteracy initiative engaging schools and communities in ecological education, delivered in part through the Officine Municipali site in Bracciano under the EU Lazio FSE 2021-2027 program), Earth University / Bija Vidyapeeth (formal courses on biodiversity, agroecology, and regenerative organic farming, with a 2026 course calendar), Community Seed Banks, Fibres of Freedom, and the Diverse Women for Diversity (DWD) movement. Publication outputs include reports, fact sheets, briefing papers, illustrated booklets, and manifestos such as Seeds of Resistance, Gates to a Global Empire, Food for Health, and Making Peace with the Earth, distributed in eight languages.

The business model is non-commercial: revenue is derived from donations, membership, and co-funded European Union project grants (notably Erasmus+ for the ClimAlt project and the Lazio FSE regional fund). Outreach is conducted through a multilingual website (English, Italian, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Greek, Catalan), email newsletters, social media (Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, Flickr), and coalition-based mobilization with peer organizations including IPES-Food, IFOAM-Organics International, Agroecology Europe, FiBL Europe, and Regeneration International. The organization convenes the International Commission on the Future of Food and Agriculture, a credentialed advisory body that produces research outputs across the portfolio.

Name

Navdanya International

Legal name

Navdanya International Onlus

Website

https://navdanyainternational.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Navdanya International is a non-profit advocacy organization headquartered in Florence, Italy, that promotes seed freedom, agroecology, and food sovereignty through global campaigns, educational programs, and multilingual publications targeting small farmers, civil society, and policymakers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Food Sovereignty Advocacy and Agroecology Education

NAICS

Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers (5131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement (BPADALAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Access & Quality (International Development) (BPAGABAE), Online/Hybrid Lifelong Learning Platforms & Open Enrollment Programs (EDAAAEAL), Open Educational Resources (OER) & Open Access Academic Publishing (MPAJABAG)

Keywords

• Food sovereignty advocacy
• Agroecology education
• Seed freedom campaigns
• Biodiversity conservation
• Sustainable agriculture publications

Headquarters

HQ city

Florence

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Navdanya International is a non-profit advocacy and education organization that produces multilingual publications, reports, and manifestos on food sovereignty, seed freedom, agroecology, GMOs, and biodiversity, while running ecological education programs (Terrae Vivae, Earth University) and community seed bank initiatives for farmers, youth, and civil society. It does not sell commercial products or services; all publications are freely distributed as digital downloads and educational programs are offered at no charge or through project-funded models.

Product overview

Navdanya International is a nonprofit advocacy and education organization focused on sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation, food sovereignty, and the rights of small farmers. Rather than a unified software product, the organization offers a portfolio of programs and publications including Terrae Vivae (ecological education initiative), Earth University (educational courses), Community Seed Banks, and various publications such as the Food Sovereignty Handbook, Seeds of Resistance Report, Gates to a Global Empire Report, and Food for Health Manifesto. The organization also produces video content, runs advocacy campaigns against GMOs and corporate control of food systems, and facilitates the International Commission on the Future of Food and Agriculture. All offerings are non-commercial and focused on advocacy, education, and movement building for ecological food systems transformation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Terrae Vivae: Ecoliteracy program for cultivating ecological renewal and regenerating ecological communities
• Earth University / Bija Vidyapeeth
• Ecoculturae
• Diverse Women for Diversity (DWD)
• International Commission on the Future of Food and Agriculture

Products and services

• Terrae Vivae – Cultivating Ecological Renewal An ecoliteracy program engaging schools, communities, and farming realities in pathways of ecological education and agroecology. It focuses on regenerating ecological communities through projects including youth education, biodiversity protection, water conservation, and community building.
• Earth University (Bija Vidyapeeth) Educational institution offering courses on biodiversity, agroecology, regenerative organic farming, and ecological literacy. The program provides training and capacity building for youth and community members.
• Navdanya Community Seed Banks Initiative focused on preserving and sharing traditional seed varieties and promoting seed sovereignty among farming communities.
• Fibres of Freedom Initiative focused on promoting natural and sustainable fibers as part of ecological and regenerative agriculture.
• Food Sovereignty Handbook A handbook grown out of the direct experiences of young people focused on food sovereignty principles and practices, freely distributed as a digital download.
• Seeds of Resistance: GMO Deregulation and Grassroots Mobilization Report documenting the coordinated corporate and governmental assault on biosafety and grassroots resistance movements across continents.
• Terrae Vivae Report Illustrated report documenting the support and co-creation of regenerative communities and ecological education activities in the first semester of 2025.
• Making Peace with the Earth: An Ecofeminist Manifesto Manifesto advocating for diversity, mutuality, non-violence and care in ecological and food systems transformation.
• Gates to a Global Empire Report Report analyzing the dangers of philanthrocapitalism and its impact on seed, agriculture, food, knowledge and global health systems, documenting corporate takeover through Gates Foundation initiatives.
• Food for Health Manifesto Manifesto asserting that health from soil to plants, animals and humans must be the organizing principle of agriculture, commerce, and science, promoting local, ecological and diversified food systems.
• Navdanya International 2024 Annual Report Annual report documenting the organization's activities and achievements throughout 2024 in championing sustainable agriculture and food sovereignty.
• Bhoole Bisre Anaj (Forgotten Foods) Book documenting India's forgotten foods, millets, their nutritional value and recipes, advocating for millets as primary food for health and food diversity.
• Voices of Diversity and Resilience Video Series Video series documenting diverse voices and resilience stories in food systems and agroecology.
• Biodiversity is Life Short Film Short film documenting biodiversity as life and the importance of protecting seed and agricultural biodiversity.

Quantifiable outcome

• The Terrae Vivae program engages schools, communities, and farming realities in pathways of ecological education and agroecology across European territories.
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Navdanya (India)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNavdanya International is the international arm of Navdanya, the organization founded by Dr. Vandana Shiva in India over 30 years ago. Navdanya (navdanya.org) focuses on organic farming, biodiversity conservation, and seed saving in India, while Navdanya International extends this work globally through advocacy, publications, and international campaigns.
• Seed Freedom (seedfreedom.info)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeed Freedom is an affiliated initiative/website focused specifically on global seed freedom campaigns and activism, operating alongside Navdanya International's advocacy work.
• People's Assembly (peoplesassembly.net)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeople's Assembly is a partner platform for grassroots mobilization and assemblies, co-developed with Navdanya International for campaigns such as the Monsanto Tribunal and broader food sovereignty movements.
• Friends of Navdanya (friendsofnavdanya.org)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerFriends of Navdanya is a supporting organization that promotes and disseminates Navdanya's mission, publications, and campaigns internationally.
• International Commission on the Future of Food and AgriculturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn international commission of experts convened by Navdanya International that produces publications, reports, and declarations on food systems, agriculture, and biodiversity. Commission members contribute expertise across multiple publications.
• ClimAlt (European Erasmus+ project)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerClimAlt is a European project co-funded by the EU Erasmus+ programme in which Navdanya International participates, organizing online courses and webinars on climate solutions and biodiversity-based approaches.
• IPES-Food (International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNavdanya International participates in coalition activities with IPES-Food, including the manifesto calling for agroecology and organic agriculture at the UN Food Systems Summit. Over 800 organizations signed the joint manifesto initiated by IPES-Food, IFOAM-Organics International, Agroecology Europe, FiBL Europe, and Regeneration International.
• IFOAM – Organics InternationalsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organic farming federation collaborating with Navdanya International on food systems transformation campaigns and the UN Food Systems Summit manifesto.
• Agroecology EuropesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean association promoting agroecology that co-initiated the manifesto for agroecology, organic, and regenerative agriculture with Navdanya International at the UN Food Systems Summit.
• FiBL Europe (Research Institute of Organic Agriculture)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean research institute collaborating on the food systems transformation manifesto and agroecology advocacy.
• Regeneration InternationalsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization focused on regenerative agriculture and food systems, co-initiator of the food systems transformation manifesto.
• Corporate Europe ObservatorysupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerResearch and campaign organization that has provided critical investigative reporting on agribusiness lobbying and GMO deregulation in Europe, frequently cited and shared by Navdanya International.
• MASIPAG (Farmer-Scientist Partnership for Agricultural Development, Philippines)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerFilipino farmer-scientist organization collaborating on campaigns against Golden Rice and GMO propagation in the Philippines, featured in Navdanya International's coverage.
• Naturaleza de Derechos (Argentina)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerArgentine civil society organization that produced the report 'Alimentos y Residuos de Agrotóxicos en la Argentina' published through Navdanya International, and won a court case against Monsanto/Bayer on seed patents.
• European Citizens' Initiative 'Save Bees and Farmers'supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPan-European coalition campaign calling for a phase-out of synthetic pesticides by 2035. Navdanya International supports and amplifies this initiative.
• Officine Municipali (Bracciano, Italy)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity civic space in Bracciano, Lazio, that serves as a reference point for the Terrae Vivae program. Cofunded by the EU Lazio FSE 2021-2027 program, with Comune di Bracciano as beneficiary and Navdanya International ETS as managing partner.
• ETC GroupsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational civil society organization researching corporate concentration in food systems, genetic extinction technologies, and digital biopiracy. Contributed to the Gates to a Global Empire report published by Navdanya International.
• GM WatchsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerUK-based organization monitoring GMO developments and corporate agri-food activities. Contributed analysis on gene editing risks to the Gates to a Global Empire report.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Friends of the Earth International: Large international environmental federation with a food sovereignty program; operates across a much broader environmental portfolio but overlaps with Navdanya International on pesticides, GMOs, and biodiversity campaigns.

Direct peers

• Regeneration International: International coalition promoting regenerative agriculture and food systems; co-initiator with Navdanya International of the UN Food Systems Summit manifesto.
• IFOAM – Organics International: Global umbrella organization for the organic agriculture movement; a coalition partner of Navdanya International and a direct peer in promoting organic and agroecological systems globally.
• Pesticide Action Network (PAN): International network working to eliminate pesticide use and promote agroecological alternatives; active in the same EU policy debates (e.g., pesticide phase-out) where Navdanya International campaigns.
• ETC Group: Research and advocacy organization focused on corporate concentration in food systems, genetic extinction technologies, and digital biopiracy; an active coalition partner of Navdanya International and a direct peer in monitoring agribusiness power.
• GM Watch: UK-based organization monitoring GMO developments and gene editing risks; a content contributor to Navdanya International's Gates to a Global Empire report and a peer in the anti-GMO-deregulation campaign space.
• La Via Campesina: Global peasant movement coordinating small farmers across 80+ countries on food sovereignty and agroecology; an umbrella counterpart whose constituency and ideological frame largely overlap with Navdanya International's grassroots mission.
• IPES-Food (International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems): Independent expert panel producing reports on sustainable food systems; co-initiator with Navdanya International of the UN Food Systems Summit agroecology manifesto signed by 800+ organizations.
• Navdanya (India): The India-based parent network also founded by Dr. Vandana Shiva; operates community seed banks and biodiversity programs in India. Directly comparable as the originating movement of which Navdanya International is the global advocacy arm.
• GRAIN: International nonprofit supporting small farmers and community-controlled biodiversity; produces reports and campaigns on land, seed, and corporate control. Closely aligned in mission, methodology, and target audiences with Navdanya International.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/occupytheseed/videos
• Instagraminstagram.com/navdanyainternational
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/navdanya-international

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Navdanya International