Trainings to enhance the knowledge and skills of beekeepers in Cyprus begin on October 17, 2026, with a focus on sustainability, innovation and new business opportunities.
The Interreg NEXT MED project PLANBEE – Promoting Local Apiary Networks and Bee Entrepreneurial Excellence announces the launch of the second cycle of training programs in Cyprus, entitled “Beekeeping – From Science to Practice”, inviting beekeepers who wish to upgrade their knowledge, improve their practices and respond more effectively to the modern challenges of the sector.
The program combines scientific knowledge with practical experience, focusing on issues that directly affect the health of bees, the productivity of beekeeping units and the sustainability of beekeeping activity. At the same time, it highlights possibilities for utilizing the products of the hive and developing new business prospects.
Training Program
The training program includes three thematic units, with a total duration of 16 hours, which will take place in person and online:
Saturday 17 October 2026, 08:45 – 16:45 Skarinou Environmental Education Center – Bee Pathology – Enemies and Diseases. Instructor, Dr. Alexandros Papachristoforou, Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Science, University of Thessaly.
Wednesday 21 October 2026, 16:30 – 20:30 online – Hive products, processing prospects and financial tools. Trainer: Christina Christodoulou – Agronomist, Organic Farmer, Beekeeper and experienced trainer.
Friday, October 30, 2026, 16:30 – 20:30 online – Bee flora and climate change impacts. Instructor: Dr. Dimitris Sarris, Senior Lecturer KES COLLEGE, Director of KES Research Centre.
Participation is free, while the training will take place in Greek. All participants who successfully complete the program will receive a Certificate of Attendance, with the support of the Cyprus Beekeepers Association.
From education to business development – New opportunities through PLANBEE
In addition to enhancing technical knowledge, PLANBEE creates prospects for further professional and business development for those active in the beekeeping sector.
Specifically, participants who will complete at least 75% of this training program, as well as at least 75% of the Entrepreneurial Skills Training Program, which is scheduled for early 2027, will be encouraged to apply to the project’s competitive Tailored Services Voucher Scheme.
The Scheme will offer selected entrepreneurs in the beekeeping sector personalized business support services worth up to pound 5,000, with the aim of enhancing competitiveness, innovation and the development of their activities. It is clarified that the participation and successful completion of the training programs does not imply automatic selection in the Specialized Services Voucher Scheme. The selection of beneficiaries will be carried out through an open call for applications, in accordance with the eligibility criteria and the evaluation process that will be set out in the relevant announcement.
Registrations and information
Registrations for the training workshop have already started and interested beekeepers are invited to register through the online form:
Register here: https://forms.gle/US2jCrJDZLta9Ab49
A few words about the PLANBEE project
PLANBEE – Promoting Local Apiary Networks and Bee Entrepreneurial Excellence is a European project co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg NEXT MED Program coordinated by the CCCI, while it is implemented with the participation of partners from Cyprus (Filagrotiki Symvouleftiki), Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, Italy and Jordan.
The project aims to strengthen the beekeeping economy in the Mediterranean, promoting sustainable beekeeping, entrepreneurship, innovation and the development of beetourism. Through educational activities, specialized support services and transnational cooperation, it seeks to create new economic opportunities, especially for women and young people, while contributing to the revitalization of rural areas and the protection of the environment.