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PLANBEE: €2.8 Million Project for Sustainable Beekeeping Economy in the Mediterranean

Published January 17, 2026, 09:15
PLANBEE: €2.8 Million Project for Sustainable Beekeeping Economy in the Mediterranean

The PLANBEE (Promoting Local Apiary Networks and Bee Entrepreneurial Excellence) project has officially launched, implementing an ambitious transnational initiative in the Mediterranean aimed at strengthening the beekeeping economy as a lever for rural development, entrepreneurship, environmental protection, and sustainable tourism. The project is co-financed by 89% by the European Union under the Interreg NEXT MED program, with a total budget of €2.807.656 and a contribution of €2.498.813,84 from the EU. It is implemented by seven partners in Cyprus, Egypt, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine, with the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) as the coordinator. At the core of PLANBEE is a strong axis of skills upgrading. Through practical training, mentoring, and innovative learning tools, including mixed reality applications, the project will upgrade the skills of over 120 new and existing bee-entrepreneurs. The actions cover: - sustainable and organic beekeeping, - business skills for beekeeping businesses, - creative use of honey in gastronomy, targeting beekeepers, HORECA professionals and young people, with particular emphasis on women. The project will promote product diversification and identity by creating a transnational and six regional beekeeping economy clusters, strengthening collaborations, innovation and collective promotion. A central initiative is the MED Queen Bee brand, which will highlight 60 distinguished women bee-entrepreneurs, recognizing their contribution to local economies and ecosystems. In addition, scientific studies and pilot actions will support the development of honey based on flora, highlighting the botanical identity of each region and enhancing authenticity and added value. Innovation is enhanced by the pilot application of smart hives, which monitor bee conditions and pollen types, supporting sustainable management and reliable certification of honey based on flora. The knowledge generated will be shared transnationally, strengthening the Mediterranean beekeeping economy as a modern and evidence-based sector. Finally, the project will invest in apitourism, creating regional offices and enhancing bee trails, aiming to promote the region as a sustainable tourism destination.

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