Two-day, on-site training programme by PLANBEE team in Egypt equips experienced beekeepers with science-based, chemical-reduced practices for sustainable honey production
The Confederation of Egyptian European Business Associations (CEEBA), in partnership with the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, hosted two full days of on-site advanced training for beekeepers, followed by an online closing session, as part of the PLANBEE project, a Euro-Mediterranean cooperation initiative co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg NEXT MED programme. The training was delivered with the support of the project’s contractor, Heirloom, represented by Dr. Yasser Ibrahim, Associate Professor Department of Economic Entomology and Pesticides Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University.
PLANBEE — “Strengthening Local Beekeeping Networks and Excellence in Beekeeping Entrepreneurship” — brings together partners from Cyprus, Egypt, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine to support the beekeeping economy and its role in rural development, entrepreneurship, environmental protection, and sustainable tourism across the Mediterranean basin. The Alexandria session was the first of five planned training programmes under the project.
Held at the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, the advanced curriculum in sustainable beekeeping covered four core themes: reducing or eliminating chemical use in beekeeping practices, ethical and sustainable honey harvesting, disease and pest management, and adapting to local environmental conditions through bee genetics. The two on-site days combined technical presentations, group discussions, and hands-on practical exercises, including advanced techniques for early disease detection, chemical-free Varroa mite control, and integration of biodiversity reporting into beekeeping operations. The programme concluded on 1 August with an online session held via Zoom, focused on selecting locally adapted bee breeds, the fundamentals of queen rearing and selection, and preserving genetic diversity within local bee populations.
Participants who successfully complete at least 75% of either the Beginners or the Advanced Beekeeping Training, as well as at least 75% of the Entrepreneurial Skills Training, will be encouraged to apply for the project’s competitive Tailored Services Voucher Scheme, expected to be launched later in 2026.
Through this Scheme, selected entrepreneurs in the beekeeping sector will be able to receive personalized business support services worth up to €5,000. It is clarified that participation in the educational programs does not automatically ensure selection in the Scheme, as the beneficiaries will be selected through an open call, in accordance with the eligibility criteria and the evaluation process provided for in the relevant announcement.
Participants reflected on the value of the training:
“I learned about the tracking and documenting methods we should follow. I also gained a clearer understanding of the main challenges facing beekeepers and the honey sector, as well as how these challenges can be addressed.”
— Amr A., Beekeeper, Cairo
“I realised that many of our current practices have simply been inherited from previous generations and are not always based on scientific knowledge. I now want to learn more, break this cycle, and adopt ethical harvesting practices to produce clean, pure, and high-quality products.”
— Mahmoud D., Beekeeper, Damietta
The Alexandria training forms part of PLANBEE’s wider effort to strengthen local beekeeping networks and promote entrepreneurship in the sector across Egypt, alongside four further training programmes and the project’s voucher scheme for tailored technical support. Beneficiaries of the voucher scheme will be selected through an open call for applications, in line with eligibility criteria and an evaluation process to be published separately.
Last Update
04/08/2026
Next Med