As part of the project “Beekeeping as an empowerment tool for people with disabilities from Ukraine,” the November online training programme brought together top Slovenian experts and motivated participants from Ukraine.
The aim of the programme is to provide people with disabilities – practical skills, confidence, and new opportunities for sustainable income.
This year’s programme focused on three essential pillars: bee health and honey quality, strategic marketing management of honey, and project management.
1. Securing Bee Health & Honey Quality (18 November)
The first training day explored the foundations and advanced practices of keeping bee colonies healthy and producing high-quality honey.
The sessions were led by Dr. Lucija Žvokelj from the National Veterinary Institute (Faculty of veterinary medicine Ljubljana), who covered:
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🧪 treatment of bee colonies & varroa mite control,
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💊 EU regulations on the use of medicines for bees,
while Gorazd Trušnovec, President of the Urban Beekeepers’ Association of Slovenia, presented:
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🍯 the EU Honey Directive: composition criteria for honey and labelling requirements.
This module provided participants with essential knowledge to ensure safe production, healthy colonies, and compliance with European quality standards.
2. Strategic Marketing Management of Honey (19 November)
On the second day, participants explored the entrepreneurial side of beekeeping in a session led by Tanja Arih Korošec, founder of ApiRoutes and Coordinator of the Apimondia Apitourism Working Group.
The training covered:
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📣 marketing and brand development,
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📝 developing a marketing strategy,
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📈 effective approaches to improving honey sales.
These insights help participants present their products confidently and professionally, improving their visibility and competitiveness in the marketplace.
3. Project Management (20 November)
The final day was led by UDAS, an organisation with a long-standing history of supporting vulnerable communities.
The session provided knowledge about project management.
The training equipped participants with the ability to manage and grow their own projects independently.
Knowledge that Builds Independence
The programme demonstrates once again that beekeeping can serve as a powerful tool for economic and social empowerment.
Through expert guidance, accessible education, and strong partnerships, the project supports participants in building long-term independence, stability, and meaningful engagement with their communities.
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.
