Cyprus-backed project launches bee economy drive in Jordan
The PLANBEE launch conference in Amman marked the official start of a new Bee Economy movement in Jordan, bringing together regional and European stakeholders under a Cyprus-backed initiative.
The event, titled “From Hives to Horizons: Building a Sustainable Bee Economy in Jordan”, was organised by the Jordanian foundation Hand in Hand for Economic Empowerment and Entrepreneurship.
It attracted more than 300 policymakers, beekeepers, entrepreneurs, researchers, environmental organisations and tourism stakeholders, both in person and online.
The conference, which took place on January 28, was held under the auspices of Jordan’s Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply, represented by Yasmeen Khreisat, Assistant Secretary-General for Industrial Development, Trade, and External Affairs, highlighting the strategic importance of the bee economy for sustainable development and rural resilience in the country.
The gathering marked both the formal launch of PLANBEE Promoting Local Apiary Networks and Bee Entrepreneurial Excellence and Jordan’s entry into a growing Mediterranean network focused on beekeeping, biodiversity and entrepreneurship as tools for socio-economic growth.
PLANBEE is a €2.8 million Mediterranean initiative co-funded at 89 per cent by the European Union under the Interreg NEXT MED Programme and is coordinated by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, widely known as Keve.
The project is implemented by seven partners across six Mediterranean regions, including Cyprus, Egypt, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine, building on experience gained from the earlier MedBEESinessHubs project.
While Jordan joins the initiative for the first time, other partner regions draw on foundations laid by MedBEESinessHubs, which introduced community-based approaches to sustainable beekeeping and apitourism across the Mediterranean.
During the conference, participants explored how responsible beekeeping, flora-based honey differentiation and innovative tourism models can support local economic development while preserving biodiversity.
Discussions also focused on the role of women-led entrepreneurship, promoted through the MED Queen Bee concept, as a driver of inclusive growth in rural communities.
A dedicated project presentation outlined PLANBEE’s objectives, including the upskilling of bee entrepreneurs, the development of digital and practical tools, and the expansion of HoneyBeeRoutes for sustainable tourism.
The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve), acting as project co-coordinator, presented the vision and expected impact of PLANBEE across the Mediterranean, reinforcing Cyprus’ coordinating role in regional innovation.
The initiative has a total budget of €2,807,656, with an EU contribution amounting to €2,498,813.84, reflecting strong European backing for the bee economy concept.
The conference programme opened with welcome remarks from Jordanian national authorities and representatives of the Interreg NEXT MED Programme, setting the tone for cross-border cooperation.
Expert sessions examined how climate, flora and biodiversity influence honey quality and branding, underlining the economic value of environmental protection.
A high-level panel highlighted the contribution of women bee entrepreneurs to strengthening local economies and social cohesion across Mediterranean rural areas.
Successful examples of community-led apitourism and HoneyBeeRoutes were presented, drawing lessons from MedBEESinessHubs and adapting them to Jordan’s context.
“There’s no Plan B for the planet – only PLANBEE,” project representatives said at the event’s launch.
English was used as the primary language of the conference, with simultaneous interpretation into Arabic provided to ensure broad participation.
The proceedings concluded with a networking lunch aimed at fostering partnerships and future collaboration among participants from Jordan, Cyprus and the wider region.