The challenge
The decline of biodiversity, particularly concerning wild bees, is a critical issue with far-reaching ecological implications. Wild bees play a vital role in pollinating many plants, including crops, which is essential for ecosystem health and food production. The decline in their populations can be attributed to various factors, including habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, and diseases.
The solution
Through workshops addressed to students and the community, the Bee Agents of the Cyclades educate students and raise awareness about the decline of biodiversity and more specifically the wild bees, underlining the importance of the unique local flora of the Cyclades and seeking to increase ecological literacy in the region of Cyclades and create a positive impact for both the environment and society.
Project’s deliverables
The project included preparatory work and communication with educators to coordinate and run a 2-day workshop in November 2022: the first day, at an elementary school in Syros, the educators of Bee Camp trained the students and installed a bee-hotel in their school. The next day, at the open park of Metamorfosis in Ermoupolis, Syros, the students that were educated the previous day, along with educators from the Bee Camp and their teachers supporting them, took the lead in hosting workshops for other young students! Bee Camp’s online follow up webinar with the school community (students, teacher) took place a few months later, in May, to check what the students had observed in terms of bee behaviour in the yard. They also created a resource pack for educators.
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About the Grantee
The Bee Camp is the first non-profit organization in Greece that aims on the protection of bees and urban pollinators. Their vision is to make cities a better place for both people and biodiversity. Through workshops, educational activities and raising-awareness events, conservation and greening actions, they aim to inspire respect for nature in light of a more optimistic future. At the same time, they are creating a green network of available habitats (BEE SPOTS) in the city for its smallest residents: the pollinators.