Beekeeping Academy of Slovenia / Slovenska čebelarska akademija

Training of Beekeeping Instructors - PČELICA 🐝

From March 23-27, 2026, a five-day training for beekeeping instructors took place in Banja Luka, bringing together landmine survivors to strengthen their skills and knowledge.

🎯 The goal of the training was to empower participants to become instructors themselves - capable of transferring practical beekeeping knowledge to others in similar situations, supporting both livelihoods and long-term recovery.

The program covered a wide range of topics, including:
🐝 beginner beekeeping
🐝 hive management and expansion- prevention of rodent impulse
🐝 collection and use of bee products- production of nuts for own use
🐝 apitherapy and natural cosmetics

🤝The initiative was implemented in cooperation with ITF, Organizacija UDAS, the Beekeeping Academy of Slovenia, and the Beekeeping and Apitherapy Academy of Serbia, with support from the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.

🇸🇮 The training was also visited by representatives of Slovenia, including Ambassador Damijan Sedar and Consul Zvone Žigon.

This initiative shows how knowledge can be transformed into opportunity, resilience, and sustainable livelihoods. 💪🍯

Mostar day 1: a full and inspiring first day!✨
🐝 We began with a meeting with mine-affected beekeepers and representatives of the government, followed by Dominika Koritnik outlining the legal framework for the Honey Trail in Slovenia, api-tourism certification and the “Top Bees” system.

🐝 We continued with the presentation of the OSI MEN Hercegovina project Beekeeping for persons with disabilities, an overview of beekeeping in Hercegovina by Oliver Soldo. A special moment of the day was the handover of the Slovenian Braille picture book by the Ambassador of Slovenia, Damijan Serdar.

🍯At the Honey cocktail party, we enjoyed musical performances, a lecture on the nutritional properties of honey by Nevena Pandža and a whole day of delicious sweet and savoury honey-based snacks.

🎡We wrapped up the day with the opening of the Natural honey fair, officially opened by the Prime Minister of HNŽ, Marija Buhač, followed by a tour and tasting at the stands.

We also presented the goals of our upcoming Training of Trainers: building knowledge, skills and tools that beekeepers can pass on within their communities.

🐝 More coming soon!

Project is supported by the Republic of Korea.

We’re excited to announce project in Mostar, carried out together with OSI MEN Hercegovine, UDAS, and ITF, with support from the Republic of Korea.

OSI MEN Hercegovine, an association of mine-affected beekeepers, works to develop apitourism and apipedagogy, strengthen beekeeping skills among its members, and raise public awareness about honey, bee products and the vital role of bees for people and the environment.

This year’s programme will include a honey fair, and educational workshops for beekeepers who survived landmine accidents.

We look forward to supporting beekeepers on their path, knowledge-building and sustainable development.🐝

Here is a blog that covers everything that took place within the project Beekeeping as an empowerment tool for people with disabilities from Ukraine. You are warmly invited to read it.🐝

https://sca.kis.si/en/beekeeping-as-an-empowerment-tool-people-with-disabilities-from-ukraine/

The project is supported by the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Slovenia under the “Slovenian Aid” International Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Programme through ITF Enhancing Human Security.

In the project Beekeeping as empowerment tool for people with disabilities from Ukraine we also had a lecure about:
🍯✨ Strategic Honey Marketing with Tanja Arih Korošec!

Participants explored how to build a strong honey brand, develop an effective marketing strategy, and use smart approaches to boost sales. 📈🌼

The session was led by Tanja Arih Korošec, founder of ApiRoutes and Coordinator of the Apimondia Apitourism Working Group - an expert known for her inspiring knowledge and experience. 🐝💛

The project is supported by the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Slovenia under the Slovenian Aid International Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Programme, through ITF Enhancing Human Security.

🗂️ Project Management Training with UDAS

As part of our programme Beekeeping as an Empowerment Tool for People with Disabilities from Ukraine, participants attended an engaging session on project management, delivered by UDAS, an organisation with extensive experience in supporting and empowering vulnerable groups. 🌿🐝

The project is supported by the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Slovenia under the “Slovenian Aid” International Development
Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Programme through ITF Enhancing Human Security.

🍯 The EU Honey Directive with Gorazd Trušnovec

As part of this year’s online programme Beekeeping as an Empowerment Tool for People with Disabilities from Ukraine, participants continued their learning with an inspiring session led by Gorazd Trušnovec, President of the Urban Beekeepers’ Association of Slovenia. 🐝🍯✨

Through clear explanations and practical examples, participants gained valuable insight into how to ensure their honey meets European quality expectations - building trust, transparency, and professionalism in their beekeeping work. 🌿💛

The project is supported by the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Slovenia under the “Slovenian Aid” International Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Programme through ITF Enhancing Human Security.

🐝 We are excited to have begun with this year’s online educational programme with a full day dedicated to one of the most important areas of beekeeping: bee health and honey quality for the project Beekeeping as an Empowerment Tool for People with Disabilities from Ukraine.

On 18 November, participants have learned from leading experts in Slovenia and gained essential knowledge to strengthen their beekeeping practices. 🌼🐝

Securing Bee Health & Honey Quality
🧪 Treatment of Bee Colonies & Varroa Control, EU regulations on the use of medicine for bees with Lucija Žvokelj, PhD
National Veterinary Institute, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ljubljana

This training day gives participants the foundations they need to protect their bees, ensure high-quality honey production, and build confidence in their beekeeping work. 🌿💛

Supported by donors and partners through the Republic of Korea, and the Republic of Slovenia under the “Slovenian Aid” International Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Programme through ITF Enhancing Human Security.

🐝 Beekeeping as an Empowerment Tool for People with Disabilities from Ukraine

We are pleased to announce the launch of this year’s programme supporting people with disabilities from Ukraine through practical and accessible beekeeping education.
Participants will gain valuable knowledge in securing bee health and honey quality, strategic marketing management of honey, and project management - key areas that help build strong, sustainable and competitive beekeeping practices.

With guidance from experienced instructors, the programme strengthens participants’ skills, expands their opportunities, and supports long-term independence.
By creating a supportive learning environment, the project helps individuals improve their livelihoods, reconnect with nature, and grow both personally and professionally. 🌿💛

🐝 Empowering people. Strengthening skills. Creating opportunities.

The project is supported by theRepublic of Korea, and the Republic of Slovenia under the “Slovenian Aid” International Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Programme through ITF Enhancing Human Security.

📸: Dr. Nika Cvelbar Weber

🌼 Innovation meets tradition in the Bee Park! 🍯
As part of the “Beekeepers as Agents of Positive Change” project, our Bee Park now showcases different beekeeping technologies, including traditional clay hives and local beekeeping methods passed down through generations. 🧱🌳

This open learning space allows visitors and local beekeepers to explore both modern and traditional techniques, promoting knowledge exchange, biodiversity, and sustainable honey production. 🌍💛

By combining innovation with tradition, we’re helping communities preserve their cultural heritage while supporting a greener and more resilient future. 🌿✨

Huge thanks to ADRA Slovenia, and to the Republic of Slovenia, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, through Slovenian Aid, for making this initiative possible. 🐝