REGION OF IMPLEMENTATION 

Solonoe village, Zhlobin district, Gomel region

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TOPICS

Economic Development and Growth
Environmental Sustainability and Resource Management

CONTENTS OF THE ACTIVITY

In 2022, the Beekeepers Assistance Center “APIMIR” was launched. It is a complex structure that includes an innovative laboratory for the selection of bees, an educational center with beekeeping courses, a museum reflecting the history and traditions of the industry, and a carpentry workshop for the production of the necessary equipment. In addition, the center is equipped with a shared use point offering access to specialized equipment for processing beekeeping products, which makes it easy to start a beekeeping business. The Center also implements the concept of apitourism, offering holidays in special bee houses, excursions, tastings and training for everyone.

The objectives of the Center are:

• Providing access to knowledge and practical skills in the field of beekeeping through educational programs, seminars and master classes.
• Creating favorable conditions for the development of small and medium-sized beekeeping farms by providing consulting assistance, support in equipping with technical means and equipment. Providing equipment for rent to reduce initial investments for start-up entrepreneurs and make doing business easier.
• Assistance in increasing biodiversity and improving the environmental situation through the preservation and enhancement of populations of honey bees and entomophilous crops.
• Expanding cooperation with scientific institutes, government agencies and international partners to exchange experience, develop and implement innovative technologies in beekeeping.
• Promoting beekeeping as an ecotourism destination to improve public health and strengthen immunity, as well as draw attention to the importance of bees in maintaining ecological balance.

The Center provides a wide range of goods and services, including:

• Educational events. Tours of apiaries, seminars, beekeeping courses, lectures on the importance of bees for the ecosystem, including a ritual of initiation into beekeepers, and development of a tourist route.
• Sales of high-quality bee products, such as honey, royal jelly, beebread, pollen, propolis and wax candles, foundation.
• Sale of queen bees and bee packages.
• Sale and installation of turnkey apidoms, including delivery and installation.
• Rental services for specialized equipment for beekeeping, including honey extractors, wax melters and tables for printing frames.
• Wellness services and activities. Organization of sleep sessions on beehives in apidomics, master classes on candle making.

KEY STEPS OF IMPLEMENTATION:

• Initiation and planning.
  • Shaping the idea and goals of the initiative to create the Center inspired and based on family traditions in the field of beekeeping.
  • Development of a business plan. Participation in the online course “School “Social Entrepreneur” and creation of a detailed action plan, including planning the necessary resources and marketing strategies.
• Financing and infrastructure.
  • Investing your own and attracting sponsorship funds to implement the business plan.
  • Acquisition of premises and organization of infrastructure. Purchase of empty premises at a local auction and their transformation into the Center, including a demonstration area and a collective use point.
• Equipment and educational programs.
  • Purchase of equipment and materials. Purchase of equipment and materials for comprehensive equipment of beekeeping activities, including honey extractors, wax melters, tools for insemination of queen bees, honey processing, as well as woodworking machines for the manufacture of hives and frames.
  • Development of educational programs on beekeeping and related educational materials.
• Launch and promotion.
  • Development of the Center’s website and the ApiMir brand. Official opening of the Center in Solonoye.
  • Organizing excursions, seminars, consultations for novice beekeepers and holding art picnics.
  • Production and sale of products. Start of production and sale of bee products and related products for self-financing and development of the Center.
  • Attracting the target audience through social networks.

The “ApiMir” contributes to the growth and prosperity of beekeeping farms, providing not only theoretical knowledge and practical skills, but also material support through access to modern equipment and technologies. These efforts not only contribute to the development of individual farms, but also make a significant contribution to sustainable rural development and biodiversity conservation by supporting beekeeping.

RESULTS AND IMPACT OF THE INITIATIVE

An innovation laboratory, an educational center, a beekeeping museum and a carpentry workshop have been created and equipped. This provided a comprehensive approach to beekeeping education and practice. Successfully organized production and sale of high-quality beekeeping products, as well as wooden products for apiaries. More than 90 people completed a full beekeeping course within several years after the start of the initiative, gaining the necessary knowledge and skills to start or develop their own apiary. Half of the educational program participants noted their readiness to start their own business. In addition, more than 10% of those who completed the training started their own business, which demonstrates the direct economic effect of the Center’s educational efforts.

The initiative “ApiMir” is a significant step towards the development of sustainable beekeeping, demonstrating a successful example of the relationship between entrepreneurship and conservation.

Information sources:

1. apimir.by
2. sb.by
3. undp.org