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Executive Board Council of Countries Committees Our Partners Pilot Project Former Contributors top OUR COMMUNITY ERGA is an bottom-up initiative based on people, consisting of hundreds of scientists across the entire European continent and beyond. Research institutions, infrastructure facilities as well as partner genome projects will play an important role within ERGA. Finally, ERGA will have a focus on societal needs particularly related to Biodiversity conservation. For that purpose, ERGA will work engaging governmental and non-governmental entities and will closely involve citizens in different actions. Executive Board Executive Board executive-board@erga-biodiversity.eu Robert Waterhouse Chair Ann Mc Cartney Vice Chair Olga Vinnere Pettersson Vice Chair Tyler Alioto Scientific Officer Kay Lucek Partnership Officer Stefaniya Kamenova Dissemination Officer Lada Lukić Bilela Social Integration Officer Camila Mazzoni Funding Opportunities Officer Jaakko Pohjoismäki Genomic Outreach Officer List of Former Executive Board Members > Council of Country Representatives Contact the national representatives for more information on the ERGA community in your country! Andorra Andorra@erga-biodiversity.eu Manel Niell List of Former Council Members > Council of Countries Committees SSP - Sampling & Sample Processing samples@erga-biodiversity.eu More > DAC - Data Analysis Committee analysis@erga-biodiversity.eu More > Media & Communications media@erga-biodiversity.eu More > Social Justice Committee socialjustice@erga-biodiversity.eu More > SAC - Sequencing and Assembly Committee assembly@erga-biodiversity.eu More > ITIC - IT & Infrastructure Committee itinfra@erga-biodiversity.eu More > CS - Citizen Science citizenscience@erga-biodiversity.eu More > Annotation Committee annotation@erga-biodiversity.eu More > ELSI - Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues elsi@erga-biodiversity.eu More > TKT - Training and Knowledge Transfer training@erga-biodiversity.eu More > Committees Our Partners Our Partners ERGA is the pan-European partner of the Earth Biogenome Project (EBP) Affiliated Initiatives Associated Partners Pilot Project Pilot Project Committee Coordinators pilot@erga-biodiversity.eu Giulio Formenti Alice Mouton Ann Mc Cartney Learn more about the Pilot Project Former Contributors SSP - Sampling & Sample Processing Committee Filter by Type Astrid Böhne (Former Committee Chair) Former Contributors

The European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA) initiative is a pan-European scientific response to current threats to biodiversity. Reference genomes provide the most complete insight into the genetic basis that forms each species and represent a powerful resource in understanding how biodiversity functions. With approxima HOME A GENOME ATLAS OF EUROPEAN BIODIVERSITY The European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA) initiative is a pan-European scientific response to current threats to biodiversity. Reference genomes provide the most complete insight into the genetic basis that forms each species and represent a powerful resource in understanding how biodiversity functions. With approximately one fifth of the ~200,000 European species at risk of extinction, we need to act fast and together to generate high-quality complete genome resources in large scale. Science needs genomes to understand biodiversity, biodiversity needs to be understood to be protected. HIGHLIGHTS Sampling for genomics studies across the tree of life Uncovering the evolution of Mediterranean soft corals with genomics Welcome to the new members of the ERGA Executive Board! EVENTS Sampling for genomics studies across the tree of life Join the Taxon Sampling SOP Hackathon! Biodiversity Reference Genomes at ENA and the ERGA Data Portal Open to Collaborate ERGA is committed to the development of new modes of collaboration, engagement, and partnership with Indigenous peoples for the care and stewardship of past and future heritage collections. Calls OUR MISSION 1/3 1/3 1/3 1/3 WHAT WE DO Establishing high-quality reference genomes requires an interdisciplinary workflow From species to genomes … and beyond. From species selection to data analysis, the process of creating reference genomes for the entire biodiversity will involve a deep synergy among museums, research institutes, universities, sequencing centres, bioinformatics and computational groups. Citizens will also play an important role supporting the inclusion of all types of species. WHAT WE AIM FOR Creating and consolidating a collaborative and interdisciplinary network of scientists across Europe and associated countries Connecting relevant infrastructure across Europe following a distributed model that can dynamically increase Propagating guidelines for state-of-the-art genome establishment through training and knowledge transfer Next La comunidad ERGA tiene como objetivo optimizar la producción de genomas de referencia mediante el desarrollo y el intercambio de protocolos y flujos de trabajo, brindando acceso a recursos y apoyando el desarrollo de capacidades a través de la transferencia de conocimientos - para mejorar y ampliar el uso de datos genómicos para la protección y restauración de la biodiversidad Next OUR PROJECTS ERGA Pilot The Pilot Project was launched to demonstrate the feasibility of continent-wide collaboration. It was established, funded, and driven entirely by its members. Read more >> Biodiversity Genomics Europe ERGA has recently been funded as part of the Biodiversity Genomics Europe project through the European Union's Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action. Read more ERGA Community Genomes Are you planning or developing a reference genome project of a European species? Join the growing family of ERGA Community G enomes! Read mo re “Species conservation is urgent and demands deep knowledge of the genetic features of their populations. A coordinated effort to generate complete reference genomes for all European biodiversity, such as what we are proposing with ERGA, can give us the whole picture about the adaptive differences and extent of a need for genetic rescue among populations and species.” Dr. Camila Mazzoni, Founding Chair, ERGA. Research Group Leader Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Berlin, Germany

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Social Justice Committee Social Justice Committee Definition Generating high-quality eukaryotic reference genomes is transforming our understanding of biology and evolution. The process of developing this resource so that it has long-term utility is complex and intricate, requiring not only technical and scientific expertise but also the integration of social justice principles. These data will have a significant impact on society, making the incorporation of social justice principles essential. In the ERGA community research setting, social justice means treating everyone fairly and ensuring that individuals from all backgrounds can benefit from our research. Key components of this process include diversity in research participation, fair distribution of research benefits, adherence to high ethical standards, dissemination of research findings to a broad audience, and fostering an inclusive and supportive research environment. The ERGA Social Justice Committee is dedicated to embedding justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion principles into every aspect of eukaryotic genome production, from sampling to results dissemination. This committee serves as an ethical compass for ERGA members, guiding the community to ensure that every step in the genome generation pipeline is conducted with social responsibility and respect for diversity. We aim to ensure both scientific rigor and social responsibility in our guidelines for generating high-quality reference genomes by integrating these principles. Authors in alphabetical order Chiara Bortoluzzi, Christian de Guttry, James Fleming, Fabrizio Ghiselli, Jennifer Leonard, Rebekah Oomen Objectives Promoting Diversity In ERGA, diversity is multifaceted, encompassing the composition of research teams with individuals from diverse backgrounds and expertise, the variety of taxa sequenced and their geographical origins, as well as the involvement of stakeholders and citizen scientists. This approach ensures research methodologies and outcomes reflect nature's extensive diversity. Ensuring Equity Equity in ERGA is about providing equal access to resources and opportunities across all individuals, communities, countries, and research institutions. It particularly aims to include those historically underrepresented or marginalised. Transfer of Knowledge is integral to this effort, ensuring broad participation in this research. Advancing Inclusion Inclusion involves creating a research environment that values and welcomes the contributions of all, aiming to promote a setting in which every participant can thrive and deliver their maximum potential. To achieve this, we focus on enhanced communication tools, aiming to ensure everyone feels comfortable and supported. Upholding Justice ensuring genomic research processes are available to interested researchers. It also means recognizing and addressing traditional social inequalities affecting current research practices. Application in High-Quality Reference Genome Generation Diversity Sequencing: Allocate sequencing capacity to underrepresented taxa to broaden biodiversity knowledge. Collaboration: Establish diverse consortia to ensure broad geographic representation in genomic research initiatives. Promote gender equality in research teams and leadership positions within genomic projects. Outreach: Develop educational materials on genomics tailored to different academic backgrounds, ages, cultures, and languages. Equity Sample collection : Ensure equitable access to the benefits from genetic resources for source countries and communities, in line with the Access and Benefit Sharing framework (ABS) and the Nagoya Protocol. Ensuring, where possible, equitable access to the field for researchers with diverse needs. Wet lab: Partner with local labs in sample-origin countries to build capacity and share expertise. Sequencing : Offer training programs and protocol sharing in sequencing techniques for scientists from all backgrounds. Genome assembly: Provide open-source software and pipelines together with cloud-based computational resources for researchers who need access to bioinformatic support and computing power. Publishing : Encourage open access availability, either through open access publication or deposition of versions of papers in open access repositories. Technology transfer: Facilitate the transfer of cutting-edge genomic technologies to laboratories in low-income countries; Provide legal and technical assistance to navigate regulations. Inclusion Sample collection: Implement informed consent protocols that respect Indigenous and local communities' rights and traditions. Empower the efforts of local taxonomic experts alongside those communities throughout the sample collection process. Publishing: Adopt open-access policies for publishing results, making information freely available to the community as soon as possible. Data sharing: Facilitate and encourage the rapid sharing of data in global databases that are freely accessible and FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable), promoting data democracy. Capacity building: Establish mentorship programs connecting established scientists with emerging European-based researchers. In this way, we aim to encourage the development of a new generation of scientists with a representative and diverse mix of abilities, genders, ethnicities, cultural and economic backgrounds, and geographical origins. Community engagement: Acknowledging the diverse contributions made beyond those in academia - universities/ museums/ research institutions - particularly those from local communities and underrepresented groups at all steps of the process from sampling to genome generation and appropriately recognizing their participation. Outreach: Host public science events in biodiversity genomics in diverse geographical locations to spread awareness and foster interest. Ensuring scientific events are organised in a way that is inclusive and accessible, both physically and socially. Social Justice Relevance: Acknowledging that both research and its outcomes could disproportionately affect specific communities within Europe, we commit to responsibly using outreach, engagement, and communication channels to center local communities impacted by biodiversity loss and anthropogenic environmental change, which are directly addressed in the ERGA remit. Personal data sharing: Ensure that data-sharing practices respect the privacy and rights of individuals and communities represented in the data. Ethics: Regularly review external bodies' ethical guidelines to address emerging issues related to social justice in genomics and strive to position ERGA to be as inclusive as possible. Sustainability: Research and implement sustainable laboratory and computational practices to reduce waste and energy consumption; Evaluate the long-term environmental impact of genomic research activities and develop strategies to mitigate negative effects. Conclusion Achieving the broad goals of social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion in genomic research presents significant challenges. One major hurdle is the intrinsic resource and infrastructure disparities across different European regions. This discrepancy limits access to advanced genomic technologies, computational resources, and skilled personnel. This widens the gap between well-funded institutions in Strengthening countries and less-funded ones in Widening countries. It is also imperative to note that the historical underrepresentation of some groups and species in genomic studies poses ethical and logistical challenges when redressing these imbalances. The complexities of integrating diverse biological samples, especially from Indigenous and marginalised communities, require sensitive, informed consent processes and benefit-sharing arrangements that respect both legal frameworks and ethical considerations. Furthermore, incorporating a wide range of species and their geographical origins into research necessitates a collaborative effort, which geopolitical, financial, and linguistic barriers can hamper. There are as many solutions to these challenges as there are issues themselves. Fostering international collaborations sharing resources, knowledge, and skills is a key strategy for building capacity in underrepresented regions and marginalised groups. Initiatives like cloud-based computational resources, open-source software, and open-access publishing models can democratise access to genomic research tools and findings. Furthermore, engaging local communities in the research process, from planning through to publication, ensures that projects are culturally sensitive and ethically sound, while also facilitating the equitable sharing of benefits. Education and outreach, tailored to diverse audiences, can raise awareness and foster a more inclusive next generation of genomic researchers. Ultimately, the path to achieving Social Justice in genomic research is ongoing and requires a commitment to continuous reflection, adaptation, and action towards these ideals.

socialjustice@erga-biodiversity.eu < Back Social Justice Committee socialjustice@erga-biodiversity.eu The ERGA Social Justice Committee is dedicated to embedding justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion principles into every aspect of eukaryotic genome production, from sampling to results dissemination. This committee serves as an ethical compass for ERGA members, guiding the community to ensure that every step in the genome generation pipeline is conducted with social responsibility and respect for diversity in line with our four core principles: promoting diversity, ensuring equity, advancing inclusion and upholding justice. Through these principles, we aim to ensure both scientific rigor and social responsibility in our guidelines for generating high-quality reference genomes. (V1. 01/12/2025) Co-chairs Fabrizio Ghiselli James Fleming Head to the committee page >> Welcome to the new members of the ERGA Executive Board! Press Releases Connections #9: How Biodiversity Genomics drives conservation impact ERGA News #32 - November 2025

Biodiversity Genomics Europe (BGE) The Biodiversity Genomics Europe Project has the overriding aim of accelerating the use of genomic science to enhance understanding of biodiversity, monitor biodiversity change, and guide interventions to address its decline. The BGE Project comprises activities focused on DNA Barcoding (Barcoding Stream) and Reference Genome Generation (Genomes Stream) for eukaryotic species across Europe, bringing together two European networks: iBOL Europe and the European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA). The ERGA Stream of BGE The Genomes Stream of BGE, as the European node of the Earth BioGenome Project (EBP) , aims to establish and implement large-scale biodiversity genomic data generation pipelines to accelerate the production and accessibility of reference-quality, complete genome sequences for species across the whole of European biodiversity. The output will support applications in the fields of: biodiversity characterisation, conservation, and biomonitoring. The Genomes Stream focuses on generating reference-quality genomes from critical European biodiversity, biodiversity hotspots, pollinators, and a selection of applied case studies. BGE-ERGA Stream Work Packages: BGE-ERGA News Connections #9: How Biodiversity Genomics drives conservation impact From Genomes to Impact: the Genomics for Biodiversity Conference 2025 Big data and small brown birds: how whole-genome sequencing can inform conservation of the threatened aquatic warbler? Partner Institutions Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research University of Lausanne University of Florence Cibio Genomescope 6 7 8 600x600logos_hackathon_sponsors_logos2 bge_erga-inst_LOGOS(7) CSIC University of Oslo 14 16 bge_erga-inst_LOGOS(2) bge_erga-inst_LOGOS(3) Sanger Earlham Institute bge_erga-inst_LOGOS(5) bge_erga-inst_LOGOS(6) Discover the whole BGE network

Community Guidelines Data & Tools Sampling Resources ERGA Library Media Community Guidelines & Documents ERGA Governance Document The ERGA Governance Document builds on the initial consortium structure guidelines and defines ERGA bodies, procedures, roles, and responsibilities. On registration, ERGA Members agree to be bound by both the ERGA Code of Conduct and this Governance Document . View More Code of Conduct ERGA is a bottom-up, open and inclusive community. ERGA membership is open to any individual who supports ERGA’s objectives, registers as a member, and agrees to be bound by the ERGA Code of Conduct. View More Privacy Policy As a community connecting researchers working in the field of biodiversity genomics, ERGA is committed to protecting privacy and respecting privacy regulations, as outlined in the ERGA Privacy Policy . View More Open Data Policy This document outlines the Open Data Policy (ODP) for ERGA. This includes all data and metadata produced as part of the activities within and/or associated with ERGA. View More ERGA Publication Project Code of Conduct This document sets out concepts, best practices, and expectations for ERGA Members to follow when engaged in collectively developing publication projects that involve the ERGA community. View More ERGA Glossary This page provides explanations about terms and acronyms often used within ERGA and in the context of Biodiversity Genomics. View More Community Guidelines Sampling Resources ERGA Sample Manifest ERGA aims to promote and facilitate ethical and legal sampling practices that are also complete and comprehensive so as to fully document the provenance of all samples. The ERGA Sample Manifest serves as the community standard for documenting sampling. View More Community Interest Species Survey From late 2021 to early 2023 ERGA conducted a community-wide survey to identify species of interest and potential sample providers; the archived list contains ~1700 species of interest. View More sampling-resources Data & Tools ERGA Data Portal Access the Data Portal and Status Tracker here . These resources are developed together with EMBL-EBI and provide the latest information about data available at the European Nucleotide Archive for all species registered under the ERGA umbrella project. View More ERGA Genome Tracking Console (GTC) The purpose of this tool is to facilitate the tracking of samples, sequencing status, assembly and annotation status, and facilitate the deposition of data into the ENA by keeping track of accession numbers. View More ERGA GoaT Page The Genomes on a Tree (GoaT) platform is mantained by the Wellcome Sanger Institute. GoaT helps coordinate efforts across the Earth Biogenome Project (EBP) Network at all stages from planning through sequencing and assembly to publication. View More ERGA GitHub Through community contributions, ERGA is working towards collecting computational workflows, pipelines, and tutorials in the ERGA GitHub Repositories . View More ERGA WorkflowHub Space Through community contributions, ERGA is working towards collecting computational workflows, pipelines, and tutorials in the ERGA WorkflowHub space. View More Galaxy / Genome Assembly View More Structural Annotation Guide A step-by-step guide on how to annotate protein-coding genes in your genome. Developed by the Annotation Committee. View More Guidelines on data submission - ENA This document provides summary of the key steps for submitting raw reads and genome assemblies (including annotations) to the European Nucleotide Archive. Developed by the IT and Infrastructure Committee. View More data-software Media For more information regarding the ERGA brand or other media inquiries please contact us at media@erga-biodiversity.eu. Logo - Transparent PNG ERGA Poster ERGA Banner ERGA YOUTUBE CHANNEL In the ERGA YouTube Channel you will find a number of resources such as recordings of previous seminars, workshops and interviews. Don't forget to subscribe to our channel to stay updated about upcoming events! media-resources ERGA-Consortium Play Video Play Video 03:45 Gordionus wolterstorffii - Andreas Hejnol Learn more about ‪@biodiversitygenomicseurope6700‬ : https://biodiversitygenomics.eu/ Play Video Play Video 03:23 Fannia canicularis - Andrzej Grzywacz Learn more about ‪@biodiversitygenomicseurope6700‬ : https://biodiversitygenomics.eu/ Play Video Play Video 05:50 Eurasian woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) - Joan Ferrer Obiol Learn more about ‪@biodiversitygenomicseurope6700‬ : https://biodiversitygenomics.eu/ Play Video Play Video 17:42 Biodiversity Reference Genomes at ENA and the ERGA Data Portal - Joana Paupério & Alexey Sokolov ERGA Plenary - November 2025 https://www.erga-biodiversity.eu/post/biodiversity-reference-genomes-at-ena-and-the-erga-data-portal Play Video Play Video 30:39 Genomics of sex determination in invasive quagga and zebra mussels - Alexandra Anh-Thu Weber https://www.erga-biodiversity.eu/post/genomics-for-biodiversity-conference-from-genomes-to-impact 🧬 Learn more about #ERGA & join us today! https://www.erga-biodiversity.eu Play Video Play Video 32:00 Omics in global data ecosystems - Pier Luigi Buttigieg https://www.erga-biodiversity.eu/post/genomics-for-biodiversity-conference-from-genomes-to-impact 🧬 Learn more about #ERGA & join us today! https://www.erga-biodiversity.eu Play Video Play Video 17:45 Day 3: Results of the European Stakeholder Survey on Biodiversity Genomics (Elena Buzan) Presented during the Genomics for Biodiversity Conference: https://www.erga-biodiversity.eu/post/genomics-for-biodiversity-conference-from-genomes-to-impact 🧬 Learn more about #ERGA & join us today! https://www.erga-biodiversity.eu Play Video Play Video 30:34 Genomes & cytogenomics to support wildlife management and conservation programs - Alessio Iannucci Genomics for Biodiversity Conference: https://www.erga-biodiversity.eu/post/genomics-for-biodiversity-conference-from-genomes-to-impact 🧬 Learn more about #ERGA & join us today! https://www.erga-biodiversity.eu

training@erga-biodiversity.eu < Back TKT - Training and Knowledge Transfer training@erga-biodiversity.eu The Training and Knowledge Transfer (TKT) committee aims to support the design and implementation of learning and skill-sharing activities in the field of biodiversity genomics research. Our committee actively engages with all ERGA committees to collect, promote, and develop training materials, including webinars, workshops and activities, and make them available to the ERGA community. We work with the ERGA community to connect experts interested with members wishing to learn new skills and improve their knowledge of the chain of steps required for reference genome generation. We also connect and support members to collaboratively develop funding proposals for financing TKT-related activities, and we coordinate the programme for the monthly ERGA Plenary meetings. V.1.0 02.05.2023 Chair Camilla Reginatto De Pierri Coordinator Christian de Guttry Steering Committee Alice Mouton Lino Ometto Nadège Guiglielmon Robert Waterhouse Spiros Papakostas Jean-François Flot Welcome to the new members of the ERGA Executive Board! Press Releases Connections #9: How Biodiversity Genomics drives conservation impact ERGA News #32 - November 2025

Newsroom Project Name https://www.uef.fi/en/article/erga-is-mapping-the-dna-of-european-species-finland-represented-by-a-mountain-hare-genome

elsi@erga-biodiversity.eu < Back ELSI - Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues elsi@erga-biodiversity.eu The Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues (ELSI) Committee is committed to assisting ERGA in understanding and implementing international guidelines and standards and regional d Digital Sequence Information (DSI) frameworks. Monitoring ethical and legal issues, the committee plays a role in developing best practices for access and benefit sharing, data governance, and wider policy discussions. In practice, ELSI’s efforts include establishing governance frameworks for genomic data collection, management, and sharing in order to ensure that ERGA’s work is consistent with continually changing regulations and ethical standards. The committee supports compliance by providing practical assistance to ERGA researchers through resources, training sessions, and policy insights. Central to this is the committee's dedication to transparency, building trust, and encouraging ethical research in biodiversity genomics. (V.3.0 01.12.2025) Chair Jennifer Leonard Coordinator Christian de Guttry Steering Committee Rebekah Oomen Robert Waterhouse Elena Buzan Amber Hartman Scholz Camila Mazzoni Resources ▶️ Webinar: A Primer on Science Policy for Biodiversity Research Welcome to the new members of the ERGA Executive Board! Press Releases Connections #9: How Biodiversity Genomics drives conservation impact ERGA News #32 - November 2025

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analysis@erga-biodiversity.eu < Back DAC - Data Analysis Committee analysis@erga-biodiversity.eu The Data Analysis Committee (DAC) aims at fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing in genomic data analysis among ERGA members, and enhancing the development of applications in genomics. DAC has the goal to develop and implement standard protocols for downstream data analysis, providing high standard frameworks and pipelines to tackle research questions with different groups of organisms. Additionally, together with the Training and Transfer of Knowledge committee (TKT), DAC is responsible for providing training opportunities to the ERGA and general scientific communities through the organization of workshops and conferences. Finally, DAC aspires to improve translational communication with stakeholders and citizen scientists by actively engaging with the Citizen Science committee (CS committee) activities, to influence species management and protect earth’s biodiversity (V.1.0 02.05.2023) Chair Tereza Manousaki Coordinator João Pimenta Leader of the Population Genomics Subcommittee Mari Jose Ruiz Leader of the Phylogenomics Subcommittee Pascalia Kapli Iker Irisarri Leader of the Comparative Genomics Subcommittee Toni Gabaldón Leader of the Functional Genomics Subcommittee Steven Van Belleghem Steering Committee José Melo-Ferreira Elena Buzan (CS committee representative) Alice Mouton (TKT committee representative) Joan Pons Committee Resources 💡ERGA Knowledge Hub ERGA BioGenome Analysis and Applications seminars DAC Playlist: Welcome to the new members of the ERGA Executive Board! Press Releases Connections #9: How Biodiversity Genomics drives conservation impact ERGA News #32 - November 2025