Know your bees, protect your future!

Project Description

The Challenge
Bee named most important animal on the planet by instituteEarthwatch following a debate at the Royal Geographical Society in London in  2019 г. However, its survival is under threat due to intense agriculture, climate change and urbanisation. In the EU today, a out of every three bee species. Around 20% of bees threatened with extinction are unique (present only in their geographical area). In 2023. European Commission announces measures to combat insect decline Pollinators. The aim is to halt their population decline because it is crucial for most agricultural crops. By 2020, the Bulgaria, there are around 500 000 colonies of bees. According to the Ministry of Justice, around 51 000 people in the country are engaged in beekeeping.

Bee conservation is extremely important because:

• they carry out about 80% of plant pollination;
• maintain biodiversity;
• are an important indicator of environmental health;
• produce honey, wax, propolis, royal jelly – important ingredients in food and pharmaceuticals;
• are an important livelihood for the Bulgarian economy and culture.

Although in recent years the topics of  biodiversity, bees, climate change are present in the public public domain, people may not have been exposed to the practical aspects of the problem and do not know how they could help.

In the districts of Varna and Dobrich there are many beekeepers, agricultural  high schools and universities where ecology and agriculture are studied.
Dobrudja is the breadbasket of Bulgaria, an agricultural region directly dependent on pollinators. In the municipality of Shabla and near Varna are protected
Areas, extremely important for the biodiversity of Bulgaria and Europe. In the village of Ezerets there are beekeeping farms directly linked to the local
protected areas and biodiversity. In recent years they have reported high annual bee mortality of bee colonies reaching between 20 and 40% , as well as a decrease
the amount of honey produced per hive. For this, they have adopted as their mission to work at local level in the field of education and ecology in order to
to inform adolescents and, through them, adults about the problem. Their mission coincides with that of the Public Centre for the Environment and
Sustainable Development. That is why they are joining forces to implement the project.

Actions
Production of a short educational film to be shot in  the area of. Ezerets in the beekeeping farm of Krasimir Kostov, which will present the life of bees, their relationship with agriculture, biodiversity and people. The short film will be made by Svilena Ganeva – journalist member of the organization and Georgi Krastev –
(May-July 2024).

Development of an educational pedagogical box with interactive and  fun games based on French methodology. This will be done by Helen Sabatini with the help of beekeeper Krassimir Kostov. The aim is to offer students active learning through experience and games. Some of the materials will need design and printing. The activity will be implemented by the puppet set designer Krum Krumov, who will design a three-dimensional enlarged model of a bee to explore the morphology and functions of the bee in a (April – August 2024). Organisation of practical training in the form of an eco-camp in the village of. Ezerets, municipality. Shabla, near the bee farm “The Garden of the Bees” of Krasimir Kostov. The farm will be visited. Will the educational film will be screened. The use of the pedagogical box and the detachable enlarged model of a bee together with local children. They will be taught to make a straw hive. Will take part in practical beekeeping activities. They will be trained at the eco-camp 10 people from Deer Sabatini. Period: last week of August 2024. Organisation of two meetings in Varna district and in Dobrich district with 30 representatives of educational institutions, schools and community centres to promote educational module “Know the Bees, Protect Nature”. Period – September – October.

Results
Informed over 50 000 people on the territory of Varna and Dobrich districts about the role of bees and conservation through broadcasting and promotion  educational short film. Active position and actions created by local communities for bee conservation, who will seek contact and assistance from the Public Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development for implementation of initiatives in this area. Created an educational module for students “Know the bees, protect
nature” with the aim of gaining specific practical knowledge about the role of bees for biodiversity and the future of the Earth;
Trained 10 educators, trainers, animators, students in Varna and Dobrich districts to work with the educational module “Get to know bees, Protect Nature”;
Increased capacity of the Public Centre for Environment and Sustainability Development to provide educational services for children and youth.Promoted live the educational module “Know the Bees, Protect Nature” among more than 30 educators, trainers, animators, leaders of local community leaders, activists and youth in Varna and Dobrich districts.