POLLI-BEEs: Official launch of the project with a kick-off meeting

The project with the acronym “POLLI-BEEs” and the title “Enhancing cross-border biodiversity through the establishment of common green and organic beekeeping practices” has officially started its implementation.

The project’s kick-off meeting will take place on 3 September 2026 (Thursday) from 10:00 to 14:00 at the premises of the Municipality of Nestos (Premetis, 64200 Chrysoupoli, Greece), with the participation of the project partners, officially launching their cross-border cooperation and coordinating the initial steps of the project implementation.

With a total budget of €2,009,744.80, the project “POLLI-BEEs” brings together project partners from the Programme’s cross-border area, with the Municipality of Nestos (GR) acting as Lead Beneficiary (LB). The partnership also includes the Blagoevgrad Beekeepers Association – BEE 2018 (BG), the Southwestern State Enterprise (BG) and the Ministry of Interior (Sector Macedonia and Thrace) (GR).

The project aims to promote the contribution of bees and beekeeping to the ecological balance. Cross-border activities include the training of beekeepers (in areas such as sustainable agriculture, bee biology and pathology, and bee-friendly flora), the creation of beekeeping parks (large areas serving as models for environmentally friendly production), and the creation of supporting facilities (an information centre and training areas).

The main cross-border activities include the establishment of two BEE-Centres (one in Greece, one in Bulgaria), the development of forest nurseries and smart test apiaries, as well as the launch of the Bee School Programme and the BEEs on the Go campaign. These initiatives aim to address the decline of bee populations, restore habitats, and boost biodiversity across the eligible area of the Greek-Bulgarian border covered by the project. Driven by strengthened cross-border partnerships and networks, the Municipality of Nestos will build the BEE Centre NESTOS in Nea Karya (Greece), while the Blagoevgrad Beekeepers Association – BEE 2018 will establish a counterpart in Bulgaria. Operating as joint hubs, they will offer training in organic beekeeping and technology demonstrations. Furthermore, the Southwestern State Enterprise (Bulgaria) will provide expertise in ecological restoration, forest nurseries, and flora mapping, while the Ministry of Interior (Sector Macedonia and Thrace) (Greece) will lead regional communications, outreach, and policy integration.

The kick-off meeting will provide an opportunity for the partners to discuss the project implementation framework, coordinate responsibilities and activities, and establish the basis for effective cooperation throughout the 24-month implementation period.

To ensure the successful management of the partnership and the project completion, the first meeting of the Joint Management Team (JMT) will take place during the kick-off meeting. The JMT, comprising the LB and representatives of each PB, will be responsible for monitoring the project implementation. The JMT will have the authority to assign specific tasks or responsibilities to sub-committees or working groups as it deems appropriate to establish. The project partnership agrees to operate in accordance with the set of Rules of Procedures, which will be presented and approved at project level during the first JMT meeting.

Furthermore, during the kick-off meeting, the JMT will present and evaluate the progress made to date regarding the fulfilment of each partner’s contractual obligations—specifically concerning the definition and achievement of milestones, the approved binding start-up schedule, the procurement/tendering/contracting plan, and the associated procedures. The evaluation will focus on the first nine (9) months of implementation, identifying the key milestones to be achieved at the project level during this period.

Through joint activities, the project “POLLI-BEEs” will contribute to a more resilient and greener Greece-Bulgaria cross-border territory by creating a transnational ecological corridor that enhances regional biodiversity, restores pollinator habitats, and promotes sustainable organic beekeeping practices.

The project “POLLI-BEEs” is implemented under Priority “PR1: A more Resilient and Greener Greece-Bulgaria Cross Border Territory” and Specific Objective “RSO 2.7 Enhancing protection and preservation of nature, biodiversity and green infrastructure, including in urban areas, and reducing all forms of pollution” of the Interreg VI-A “Greece-Bulgaria 2021-2027” Cross-Border Cooperation Programme and was approved under the 1^st Call for Common projects. The project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and by national funds of the countries participating in the Interreg VI-A “Greece-Bulgaria 2021-2027” Cross-Border Cooperation Programme.