TİKA Supports the Development of Beekeeping in Albania

Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has signed a cooperation protocol with the Korçë Provincial Council Presidency to promote youth involvement in agriculture and modern beekeeping in the Korçë region of Albania. The educational process, which marks the first phase of the project, has now started.

During the ceremony held at the Korçë Governorate building, the President of the Korçë Provincial Council, Erjon Nexhipi and TİKA’s Coordinator in Tirana, Mustafa Ata signed a cooperation protocol for the project and inaugurated the educational process.

The opening program was attended by Professor Nevruz Zeka of Fan S. Noli University of Korçë; Kledian Kosturi, President of the Association of Beekeepers of Korçë, employees of the Provincial Council of Korçë and young trainees.

In Korçë, the seventh most populous city in Albania, located in the south of the country and comprising six municipalities, young people are migrating to European countries due to unemployment. Beekeeping is an important source of livelihood in Korçë, where 52,000 bee colonies are maintained.

In this context, 30 young people -7 women and 23 men- selected from Korçë city and its 6 municipalities, particularly those facing economic challenges, relying on municipal support and lacking university education, will undergo a 3-week training in beekeeping through this project.

During the training process, TİKA will provide each trainee with one beehive and basic beekeeping equipment. Following theoretical and practical training, at the conclusion of the 6-week follow-up period, each participant will receive an additional four beehives. In total, 150 beehives and basic beekeeping equipment will be distributed to the trainees.

The project aims to offer vocational training to young people facing economic hardship and lacking university education, aiming to prevent migration, support the local beekeeping sector and enhance honey production in the region.