Cross-border cooperation to save the Carpathian bee

The Cross-border Cooperation Programme Poland-Belarus-Ukraine 2014-2020 has shared a story on its website on how a project funded under the programme is helping Carpathian beekeepers to save the local breed, known as the “Carpathian bee” or “Karpatka”.

The article describes how beekeepers in the region decided to initiate the Carpathian Bee project, which is being jointly implemented by partners from Ukraine and Poland. They make unique, ecologically pure honey and other products such as cosmetics, medicines or candles. Some collect old items related to beekeeping, or provide services such as workshops or even “sleeping on beehives” therapy.

Through the project, beekeepers have introduced a mobile application to monitor and manage the beehive. Among other ideas are “attractive apiaries” in Kolochava and Kosiv (in Ukraine), tourist “honey trails”, open events, blogging and, most importantly, activities for preservation of the breed.

The Carpathian bee has its own characteristics. It can survive long periods of cold weather and is extremely productive, making the most of short periods of warm weather. It is not aggressive – some beekeepers do not even wear special protection gear to approach them.

The EU-funded Cross-border Cooperation Programme Poland-Belarus-Ukraine supports development processes in the borderland of Poland, Belarus and Ukraine by co-financing diverse projects. All projects financed by the Programme are non-profit and contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of inhabitants of eastern Poland and western Ukraine and Belarus.

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Cross-border Cooperation Programme Poland-Belarus-Ukraine