POLLI-BEEs: Enhancing cross-border biodiversity through the establishment of common green and organic beekeeping practices

Priority
PRIORITY 1 - A more Resilient and Greener Greece-Bulgaria Cross Border Territory
Policy Objective
02 - A greener, low carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy & resilient Europe by promoting clean & fair energy transition, green & blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation & adaptation risk prevention & management, and sustainable urban mobility
Specific Objective
RSO2.7. Enhancing protection and preservation of nature, biodiversity and green infrastructure, including in urban areas, and reducing all forms of pollution
Intervention Field
079. Nature and biodiversity protection, natural heritage and resources, green and blue infrastructure

Budget

Total:
2.009.744,00€
ERDF:
1.607.795,84€
National Funds:
401.948,96€
Private Funds:
0,00€

Partnership

Lead PartnerNameTypeCountryLocation of Activities
MUNICIPALITY OF NESTOSNational / Regional / Local AuthorityGreeceEL515 - Kavala, Thassos
BLAGOEVGRAD BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION - BEE 2018NGO / Non-Profit OrganizationBulgariaBG413 - Blagoevgrad
SOUTHWESTERN STATE ENTERPRISE-SWSEPublicBulgariaBG413 - Blagoevgrad
MINISTRY OF INTERIOR (SECTOR MACEDONIA-THRACE)National / Regional / Local AuthorityGreeceEL522 - Thessaloniki

Project Description

Summary

The POLLI-BEEs project is a dynamic initiative that brings together communities, experts, and institutions under a common mission: to protect bees, enhance biodiversity, and preserve the ecosystems that sustain life.

At a time when pollinators face unprecedented challenges, POLLI-BEEs transforms concern into meaningful collective action. Through the establishment of modern BEE-Centres, hands-on educational initiatives, and forest nurseries dedicated to native, bee-friendly flora, the project bridges science and society—turning environmental awareness into everyday responsibility.

Grounded in local traditions and driven by innovation, POLLI-BEEs promotes organic and sustainable beekeeping practices, supports resilient and healthy landscapes, and inspires communities to reconnect with nature. By integrating education, technology, biodiversity restoration, and cross-border policy cooperation, it builds a living bridge between people, places, and pollinators.

More than just a project, POLLI-BEEs is a call to action—an invitation to safeguard the quiet workers of our planet. It ensures that the vital buzz of bees will continue to resonate across Greece and Bulgaria, nurturing ecosystems, livelihoods, and future generations.

Expected Results

The key project results are:

  • Wider adoption of sustainable beekeeping practices: The project will increase the uptake of organic and green beekeeping methods among local beekeepers, improving bee health, enhancing pollination services, and supporting ecosystem stability and agricultural productivity.
  • Restoration and enhancement of natural habitats: Through the establishment of Forest Nurseries, POLLI-BEEs will propagate native, bee-friendly plant species to support targeted reforestation and enrichment of forests and Natura 2000 sites. This will improve pollinator habitats and strengthen ecosystem resilience.
  • Enhanced environmental awareness and capacity: Local communities, schools, and youth groups will benefit from strengthened environmental knowledge and skills, fostering long-term stewardship of biodiversity and natural resources.
  • Strengthened cross-border cooperation and governance: Collaboration between Greek and Bulgarian partners, supported by shared policy recommendations, will ensure coordinated conservation actions and long-term sustainability beyond the project lifecycle.

Ultimately, POLLI-BEEs delivers lasting benefits for biodiversity, local economies, and society, ensuring a more sustainable and resilient future for the Greece–Bulgaria region.

Expected Outcomes

Key project outputs include:

  • Two BEE-Centres (Greece & Bulgaria): Modern education and demonstration hubs offering training in organic beekeeping, fostering community engagement and knowledge exchange, to build local capacity.
  • Two Forest Nurseries: Renovated nurseries producing native, bee-friendly plant species to restore degraded forests and Natura 2000 sites, improving pollinator habitats and ecosystem resilience.
  • Test Apiaries with Remote Monitoring Technologies: Pilot apiaries equipped with smart sensors showcase innovative, sustainable practices. They provide data-driven insights to improve colony health and encourage wider adoption of advanced beekeeping methods.
  • Apicultural Flora Mapping: Scientific surveys identifying plants of apicultural importance. These guide habitat restoration efforts and support evidence-based policy development.
  • “Bee School Programme”: Environmental education initiatives targeting youth and local communities to raise awareness and cultivate long-term stewardship of pollinators and biodiversity.
  • Policy Recommendations and Sustainability Plan: Strategic guidance for public authorities to integrate biodiversity-friendly beekeeping into policy frameworks, ensuring long-term impact and continuity.

POLLI-BEEs provides a robust, scalable, and collaborative model that advances transnational biodiversity conservation and rural sustainability.

Location of Activities

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