European Knowledge Exchange in Beekeeping: INNOBEE at EurBee 11
Members of the project team of INNOBEE – Innovative Solutions for Enhancing Beekeeping Processes and Modernizing Support in Apiculture in cross border region of CRO and SRB, No. HR-RS00210, funded under the Interreg VI-A IPA Croatia-Serbia Programme, attended EurBee 11 – 11th European Conference of Apidology, held from 7 to 10 September 2026 in Bologna, Italy.
EurBee 11 is one of the most important European scientific gatherings dedicated to bee research and contemporary apidology. The conference was organised by the CREA Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment and the University of Bologna – Department of Agriculture and Food Sciences. This year’s edition brought together more than 540 researchers from around 50 countries across five continents, with almost 500 scientific contributions, including 196 conference presentations and nearly 300 scientific posters.
Over the four days of the conference, the latest scientific findings and developments were presented in the fields of bee health and welfare, the impacts of climate change, biodiversity, nutrition and the microbiome, genetics and bee resilience, agroecology, pollinator protection, as well as the application of modern technologies in beekeeping. Of particular relevance to INNOBEE were topics related to bee health, disease and pest control, the application of innovative technologies for monitoring bee colonies, the impact of climate change and strengthening bee resilience. These areas are directly linked to project activities aimed at improving beekeeping practices, testing innovative summer and winter treatments, as well as developing modern forms of support for beekeepers through the establishment of a cross-border beekeeping support centre.
The conference provided an important opportunity to promote the INNOBEE project, its objectives, planned activities and expected results to an international professional and scientific audience. Participation in EurBee 11 enabled the project team members to present the project, highlight its importance for improving and modernising beekeeping in the cross-border region of Croatia and Serbia, and introduce participants to the planned innovative approaches to summer and winter treatments to be implemented during the project. At the same time, the conference provided an opportunity to establish new contacts and foster international cooperation, opening up possibilities for further exchange of knowledge, experience and good practices in the field of modern and sustainable beekeeping in the cross-border region of Croatia and Serbia.
By participating in EurBee 11, the INNOBEE project team continues to follow current trends in apidology and contribute to connecting science, innovation and practical beekeeping, with the aim of creating a more sustainable, resilient and competitive beekeeping sector in the cross-border area of Croatia and Serbia.
The INNOBEE project is a joint initiative of Croatian and Serbian partners: Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek – Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, University of Novi Sad – Faculty of Agriculture, Scientific Veterinary Institute “Novi Sad”, and the Fund for European Affairs and Development of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina. The total project budget amounts to EUR 940,501.45, of which EUR 799,426.22 is provided by the European Union. Project implementation began on 15 January 2026 and will continue until 14 January 2028.
