Research projects

The BeeGuards project aims to strengthen the resilience of European beekeeping in response to climate change and other environmental challenges. Changing climatic conditions, limited food resources and emerging threats to honey bee health require more adaptive and sustainable beekeeping practices, as well as new approaches to colony management and breeding.

Through Europe-wide field studies, BeeGuards develops and tests innovative management and breeding strategies, supported by digital monitoring and forecasting tools. The project also investigates the relationship between the genetic characteristics of different honey bee populations and their ability to respond to climate-related stressors, including through accelerated selection studies.

By combining research on honey bee health, genetics, behaviour and environmental interactions, BeeGuards aims to provide practical, locally adapted solutions for beekeepers. Particular attention is given to protecting natural genetic resources, reducing the environmental impact of beekeeping and safeguarding wild pollinators and their essential pollination services.

WikiBeedia

WikiBeedia is a multilingual online encyclopedia dedicated to bees and beekeeping, developed within the BeeGuards project. The platform brings together beekeepers, researchers and other experts, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and experience on bee biology, diseases, hive management, forage resources and bee products.

Following the wiki principle, experts and users from different countries can contribute, edit and translate articles, collectively building a reliable and accessible knowledge base.

WikiBeedia aims to become a central open-access resource for beekeeping information, available in multiple languages and adapted to different regional practices. By making science-based information more accessible, it supports knowledge transfer and strengthens cooperation between researchers, advisors and beekeepers.

Visit WikiBeedia: http://www.wikibeedia.eu/

Partnership

BeeGuards is coordinated by the Italian Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA) and brings together 26 participating organisations, including the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia.

The consortium combines the expertise of research institutions, universities, beekeeping associations and other stakeholders working together to develop more resilient and sustainable beekeeping practices.

Funding

BeeGuards has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101082073.