ASALA Strengthens Sustainable Beekeeping Skills under the PLANBEE Project

Experienced Palestinian beekeepers gained practical knowledge on sustainable apiary management, climate resilience and the diversification of bee products through an advanced training organised under the PLANBEE project

The Palestinian Businesswomen’s Association – ASALA successfully concluded a two-day Advanced Sustainable Beekeeping Training on 7–8 September 2026, bringing together 28 experienced beekeepers seeking to strengthen the productivity, resilience and sustainability of their apiaries.

Delivered as part of the PLANBEE – Promoting Local Apiary Networks and Bee Entrepreneurial Excellence project, the 16-hour programme combined specialised knowledge with practical exercises, peer learning and discussions centred on the real challenges faced by beekeepers.

Participants explored key aspects of modern and sustainable beekeeping, including sustainable apiary management, bee health, disease and pest management, local bee breeds and genetic diversity, and the growing impact of climate change on beekeeping. Particular attention was also given to opportunities for diversifying production and generating additional income through bee products beyond honey, including pollen and beeswax.

The practical and interactive approach encouraged participants to connect the training content directly with their own apiaries, exchange experiences and identify solutions that can help them adapt their practices, protect bee colonies and develop more resilient beekeeping businesses.

For participant Fidaa AbdelRazaq, the training offered a new perspective on the economic potential of the apiary. She highlighted how the programme helped her identify better ways to manage her apiary while exploring opportunities to diversify her income through products such as pollen and beeswax – moving beyond honey production and viewing the apiary as an integrated and sustainable business.

Through activities such as this training, PLANBEE supports beekeepers in strengthening their technical and entrepreneurial capacities while promoting more sustainable and innovative approaches across the Mediterranean bee economy.

The training is one of the activities implemented by ASALA in Palestine under the PLANBEE project, which supports local beekeepers in strengthening their capacities and adopting more sustainable and entrepreneurial approaches to beekeeping. The project is co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg NEXT MED Programme, with a total budget of €2,807,656, of which €2,498,813.84 is provided by the European Union.

PLANBEE brings together partners from six Mediterranean countries: A.M. Filagrotiki Consultants from Cyprus, Confederation of Egyptian European Business Associations from Egypt, Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture Zahle & Bekaa from Lebanon, The Palestinian Businesswomen’s Association – ASALA from Palestine, Centre for Promotional Services to Enterprises – Special Agency of Cagliari Oristano Chamber of Commerce from Italy, and Hand In Hand for Economic Empowerment and Entrepreneurship from Jordan.