During this workshop on PGS in East Africa, which took place from 08 – 10 December 2023 – participants had clear expectations in terms of the topics and knowledge to be covered. These expectations were captured in the pre-exchange survey that was carried out in preparation for the workshop. They wanted to focus on the establishment and refinement of PGS guidelines, with particular focus on group dynamics, farmer ownership and committee roles. Participants were also interested in exploring aspects such as scalability, cost considerations and opportunities for small-scale farmers. Themes to be addressed included sustainability, market strategies, certification processes, joint fundraising and the use of PGS as a marketing tool. Based on the participants expectations, the main objective of the PGS Exchange was thus: to improve their understanding of PGS operations and ensure sustainability through a farmer-led approach. In a true spirit of collaboration, this workshop endeavoured to encourage meaningful exchanges between the real stakeholders in PGS. That meant that the participants were not simple delegates, but 35 real farmers and leaders representing various PGS from seven different African countries. This diverse gathering not only reflects a rich diversity of experiences, but also highlights our commitment to bringing together authentic perspectives and voices to advance sustainable agricultural practices across the region and the continent.