In Europe, beekeeping is an activity mainly developed by beekeepers with a low level of professionalism, who have little knowledge in the area, often acquired only through experience. Given the importance of this activity for rural development and for the preservation of biodiversity, their promotion is of utmost importance.

The “beeB – Foster for beekeeping bridges through innovative and participative training” project will count on with the contribution of six European countries (Portugal, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Norway and Estonia) to develop tools that will allow family beekeepers, or any other non-professional beekeepers, to acquire skills in this area by using innovative and adaptive forms of training that are based on ecological and good beekeeping practices. Thus, it is intended to provide family beekeepers with training, which often does not exist or is scarce and encourage new publics, especially women and unemployed mainly from rural areas, to practice this activity. The project, co-funded with the Erasmus + Programme of the European Union, is intended to meet the training needs of each beekeeper, using innovative, attractive and adaptive methodologies that can be used at workplace.

It is planned to draw up a course curriculum, based on personalized b-learning adapted to different realities and different regions and guaranteeing national and European certification / qualification. This project will provide beekeepers and future beekeepers with a reference of skills in the area of beekeeping.

The objectives in the Erasmus + context are the following:

0101

skills and key competences

To contribute for the acquisition and development of basic skills and key competences in smart beekeeping, based on continuing vocational training, in order to facilitate the process of innovation, economic growth and social cohesion, through education, training and personal development.

0202

reduce disparities

To reduce disparities in the access to and engagement of groups with less opportunities, like family and women beekeepers, and unemployed people in rural areas, promoting inclusion and gender equality through formal and non-formal education, based on the use of innovative and digital technologies and continuing VET.

0303

develop and structure partnerships

To develop and structure partnerships to promote work-based learning for the beekeeping sector and bring forth skills and competencies for people that are or intend to be beekeepers, and that don’t have experience and knowledge in the area

beeB specific objectives are:

  • To develop tools that will allow family beekeepers, or any other non-professional beekeepers, to acquire skills in ecological and good beekeeping practices using innovative and adaptive forms of training.
  • Encourage new publics, especially women and unemployed from mainly rural areas, to practice and initiate a beekeeping activity.
  • Disseminate knowledge and values associated with the world of bees and its wonders, raising a general interest that might contribute to value the beekeeping sector and to stimulate innovative beekeeping pathways.