IGCAT and the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association (SBA) have teamed up to raise the profile of natural honey and preservation of bees in the World/European Regions of Gastronomy. The two organisations signed a collaboration agreement on 22 February 2023 to join efforts for the safeguard of biodiversity, the promotion of food education and the support to the quality of life of local communities and environments.
The SBA is the promotor of two outstanding initiatives:
World Bee Day, officially proclaimed by the United Nations in 2017 and celebrated every 20 May to raise awareness about the importance of bees and other pollinators for food security.
Golden Bee Award, that “encourages and supports innovation and excellence of individuals or legal entities that have made a particularly important contribution to the protection and raising awareness of the importance of bees and other pollinators worldwide.” (Gov.si)
The collaboration with IGCAT is hoped to encourage participation of stakeholders from the World/European Regions of Gastronomy to the Golden Bee Award, as well as to promote international joint initiatives among the different regions to celebrate World Bee Day.
President of IGCAT, Diane Dodd PhD welcomed the signing of the agreement, praising the exceptional work that the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association have already undertaken in raising awareness and her desire for relevant stakeholders from the Regions of Gastronomy to apply their good practises.
The collaboration agreement was formalised in the framework of the IGCAT Webinar on Working Together for World Bee Day, led by Dr. Peter Kozmus, researcher at the SBA, professional leader of the Breeding Programme for the Carniolan honey bee, as well as vice-president of APIMONDIA and IGCAT expert in Slovenia, European Region of Gastronomy since 2021.
Peter Kozmus proudly highlighted that the agreement will allow the SBA and IGCAT to work in a joint effort for the preservation of bees and nature, and remarked that: “Bees provide excellent products that are important in gastronomy and we must all work together as much as possible to ensure that these are natural and come from unspoiled nature.”
About the Slovenian Beekeeper’s Association
The Slovenian Beekeeper’s Association is a non-profit organisation currently joined by 207 beekeeping societies and 14 regional beekeeping associations, with a total of about 7,500 beekeepers. Some of its main tasks include: education and training of beekeepers; organisation of exhibitions, symposiums, and workshops; raising the public’s awareness about the importance of bees in the preservation of the environment; and the promotion of bee products in healthy nutrition, to name a few. Also registered as a research institution, the SBA focuses its research work on providing safe bee products, protecting the Carniolan bee, and developing technologies of beekeeping.
About the World/European Regions of Gastronomy
World/European Regions of Gastronomy, guided by IGCAT, are working together to strengthen food security through the celebration of distinctive food cultures; create employment by stimulating creativity and gastronomic innovation; nourish children and adults through culinary and cultural education; driving environmental sustainability in tourism, hospitality and agricultural sectors; supporting balance and sustainable tourism practices; highlighting and supporting expertise from within rural and urban communities, creating connections and sharing good practices; and contributing to community health and well-being.
About IGCAT
IGCAT aims to empower local communities by raising awareness of the importance of protecting and promoting distinct regional food, culture, arts and natural assets as part of sustainable and balanced tourism and development strategies. This is essential to safeguarding our planet, health, wellness and local economies.
IGCAT is a non-profit institute established in 2012, working with regional stakeholder consortiums in the fields of gastronomy, culture, arts and tourism. It counts on the expertise of a worldwide network of experts and works in partnership with specialised intergovernmental organisations.
IGCAT founded the World/European Region of Gastronomy Award and is the official secretariat for the World/European Regions of Gastronomy Platforms. Furthermore, the Institute has developed the European Young Chef Award, the World Food Gift Challenge, the Top Websites for Foodie Travelers Award and the international Food Film Menu.