Since 2021, ITF Enhancing Human Security, Beekeeping Academy of Slovenia – Agricultural Institute of Slovenia and Organisation of Amputees UDAS of Republika Srpska have been working as partners in the framework of the »Beekeeping as an Empowerment Tool for Land Mine Victims in Bosnia and Herzegovina« project. The main donor of the project is the Republic of Slovenia, namely the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.
On the occasion of the successful completion of the fourth phase of the project, the partners have prepared an exhibition highlighting the beekeepers and mine victims from Bosnia and Herzegovina, participants in the project activities in the years 2021–2024.
The opening of the poster exhibition entitled »Beekeeping as an Empowerment Tool for Land Mine Victims in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2021–2024« will take place on Friday, 7 June 2024, at 4 pm at TAM-TAM’s Figovec Poster Gallery in Ljubljana (at the Ajdovščina underpass), and the exhibition itself will be on display until 4 July 2024.
The project aims to empower beekeepers, who are land mine victims from Bosnia and Herzegovina, with knowledge that will help improve the efficiency, effectiveness and profitability of beekeeping practices. As beekeeping requires little initial investment and does not require complex technologies, it is an excellent way to build stable household income and improve the quality of life of vulnerable social groups. The project represents a unique way of psychosocial rehabilitation, provides an additional source of income for land mine victims in BiH and, in addition to beekeeping equipment and training, establishes a widespread local support network.
- Through beekeeping, the project helped over 100 land mine victims from 19 towns in BiH.
- The Beekeeping Centre in Banja Luka and the “PČELICA” Association of Beekeepers with Disabilities and Female Beekeepers were established.
- Beekeeping equipment for more than 50 beekeepers was provided.
- A web platform for the promotion of honey and honey products has been set up (https://pcelica.rs.ba/).
- Three multi-day study visits in Slovenia with practical training.
- Planting of 3.000 honey plants for pollinators in BiH.
- Introduction of events at schools in BiH such as Honey Breakfast and Honey Hours, which were attended by more than 400 children.