On 3 September 2026, the partners of the POLLI-BEEs project (MIS Code: 6010587) gathered in Chrysoupoli, Greece, for the official Kick-off Meeting, marking the start of the project’s implementation under the Interreg VI-A Greece-Bulgaria 2021-2027 Programme.
The meeting brought together members of the Joint Management Team (JMT), consisting of the Municipality of Nestos (Lead Beneficiary), Blagoevgrad Beekeepers Association – BEE 2018, Southwestern State Enterprise (SWSE), and the Ministry of Interior (Sector Macedonia-Thrace). Representatives of the Managing Authority, Ms Afroditi Lioliou, and the Joint Secretariat, Ms Jenya Dinkova, were also present, providing valuable guidance on project implementation, financial and reporting requirements, programme rules, and communication obligations. Their participation offered the partnership an opportunity to establish direct communication with programme authorities, receive practical recommendations, and ensure a common understanding of implementation procedures from the outset.
During the meeting, partners presented their organisations and discussed the project’s objectives, expected results, work plan, communication activities, and financial management procedures. Particular attention was given to defining next steps, reviewing project tasks and deliverables, and establishing effective coordination mechanisms for the successful implementation of activities.
The kick-off meeting also served as a platform to strengthen cooperation among the project partners and plan the first project actions and milestones. Through discussions, the consortium laid the foundation for a successful project that will contribute to protecting pollinators, enhancing biodiversity, and promoting environmental sustainability across the Greece-Bulgaria cross-border area.
The POLLI-BEEs partnership looks forward to implementing the project’s activities and to delivering lasting benefits for local communities and ecosystems.
POLLI-BEEs is a cross-border cooperation project with a total duration of 24 months (from 29 June 2026 to 29 June 2028) that aims to protect bees, strengthen biodiversity, and promote sustainable ecosystems in Greece and Bulgaria. Through the establishment of BEE-Centres, educational initiatives, forest nurseries, and the promotion of sustainable beekeeping practices, the project brings together communities, experts, and institutions to support pollinator-friendly landscapes and increase environmental awareness.
