EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES IN BEEKEEPING IN BULGARIA Table of contents 01 02 04 03 Introduction Our Mission Our Goals Our Activities 05 BeeNEET Project 06 National Beekeeping Competition for Young Beekeepers Introduction 01 Introduction Who are we? The Bulgarian Association of Organizations of Producers of Honey and Bee Products (BAOPHBP) is an organization dedicated to the development and support of beekeeping in Bulgaria. Our mission is to stimulate and support the beekeeping sector through education, innovation, and cooperation, both at national and international levels. Our Mission Our Mission: Educational Initiatives in Bulgarian Schools One of our key initiatives is promoting beekeeping in Bulgarian schools. Unfortunately, only five schools in Bulgaria offer professional education in beekeeping, and many of these specialized classes will be closed after the current student's graduate. Our Actions: Promoting beekeeping through educational programs designed to inspire young generations to engage in beekeeping. Establishing beekeeping clubs in schools, providing opportunities for practical training and skill development. Our Goals Development of Producers' Organizations (POs) in the beekeeping sector, in compliance with national and European legislation. Supporting the cooperation of beekeepers and the development of POs and Producers' Groups (PGs) in the honey and beekeeping products sector. Education and qualification of personnel, scientific activities, implementation of new technologies and innovations in beekeeping. Protection of bee colonies from poisoning during plant protection activities. Establishing a quality control system for beekeeping products and applying good manufacturing practices. Supporting the development of production and processing of beekeeping products, apitherapy, and cosmetics based on bee products. Supporting scientific research and applications in the biology of honeybees and beekeeping technologies. Our Activities BeeNEET Project: Supporting NEETs and Youth from Rural Areas One of our major achievements is participation in the BeeNEET project under the Erasmus+ program. BeeNEET is designed to improve the beekeeping and entrepreneurial skills of NEETs (youth who are not in education, employment, or training), young people from rural areas, and young women. What BeeNEET Offers: https://beeneetplatform.com/ • Free access to online courses, blogs, forums, news, and resources , available in five languages. • Innovative methodologies that improve skills and encourage international interaction. • A dynamic and supportive learning community that motivates youth towards beekeeping and entrepreneurship. The project was implemented in partnership with Apis Melifera Bulgaria Ltd (a member of our non - profit association), Beytüşşebap Municipality and Şırnak University (Turkey), Eu & Pro (Czech Republic), and CPIP (Romania). The platform has had a significant positive impact on young people both in Bulgaria and abroad. National Beekeeping Competition for Young Beekeepers Another major achievement is the organization of the National Beekeeping Competition for Young Beekeepers , which was held for the first time in Bulgaria. This event was aimed at children aged 12 to 17 and brought together young beekeepers from all over the country, giving them an opportunity to showcase their knowledge and skills. Goals of the Competition: • Encouraging interest in beekeeping among young people. • Highlighting the importance of education and practical skills. • Creating a platform for exchanging experiences and ideas among future beekeepers. Conclusion We believe that through joint efforts and investments in education and innovation, we can ensure a sustainable future for beekeeping in Bulgaria. The creation of new educational programs, beekeeping clubs, and platforms such as BeeNEET will help young people engage in this vital sector while strengthening traditions and protecting bees and the environment. Let’s work together for the development of beekeeping and encourage young people to find their place in this important activity for nature and society! Thanks!