As part of the “Support for Sustainable Beekeeping Practices and Inclusion of Beekeepers in the Muğla Region” Project, funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Balparmak participated in the 46th Apimondia – International Beekeeping Congress held in Montreal, Canada, between 8-12 September 2019.

The Project, implemented by ANKON Consulting, aims to support Balparmak’s efforts in developing new and innovative products through improving links with beekeepers who supply honey to the company. This will be achieved by enabling access to skills and knowledge, as well as opportunities for employment, in remote areas of the Mugla region, with a focus on women and youth. The Project will provide different training opportunities based on beekeepers needs, aiming to make the best use of the existing potential and ensuring the sustainability of beekeeping in Turkey.

Founded in 1895 and headquartered in Rome, the world Beekeepers’ Association (Apimondia) organizes the World Beekeepers Congress every two years. Apimondia Congress provides advanced information to the participants and producers from the beekeeping sector. Apimondia, which has 114 members from 77 countries, is the International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations and all organizations working in the Apiculture sector and is equipped with the aims to promote the development of beekeeping in scientific, technical, ecological, social and economic issues.

The first Apimondia Congress was organized in 1897 with 636 participants in Belgium. Apimondia Congresses are held regularly in singles every 2 years since 1961. The average number of participants varies between 6000 and 9000 people and the participants are professional and amateur beekeepers, academicians, medical doctors, journalists, bee breeders, material producers, public officials, agriculturalists, environmentalists, industrialists, scientists, packaging companies, consumers, apitapists, technicians.