PRESS RELEASE
The passion for the Bee Economy is spreading across the Mediterranean:
PLANBEE Launch Conference Marks the Beginning of the
Bee Economy Movement in Jordan
The PLANBEE Launch Conference, entitled “From Hives to Horizons: Building a Sustainable Bee Economy in Jordan”, was successfully held in Amman on 28th January 2026 by the Jordanian foundation Hand in Hand for Economic Empowerment and Entrepreneurship. The event brought together more than 300 policymakers, beekeepers, entrepreneurs, researchers, environmental organisations and tourism stakeholders from Jordan and across the Mediterranean, in-presence and online.
The conference was held under the auspices of Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply of Jordan,
represented by Eng. Yasmeen Khreisat, Assistant Secretary-General for Industrial Development, Trade, and External Affairs, underscoring the strategic role of the Bee Economy in supporting sustainable development, innovation and rural resilience in Jordan.
The event marked both the official launch of PLANBEE – Promoting Local Apiary Networks and Bee Entrepreneurial Excellence and the beginning of the Bee Economy movement in Jordan. As a newcomer to this Mediterranean initiative, Jordan joins a growing network of regions committed to harnessing beekeeping, biodiversity and entrepreneurship as drivers of socio-economic development.
PLANBEE is a €2.8 million project co-funded at 89% by the European Union under the Interreg NEXT MED Programme, led by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and implemented by seven partners from six Mediterranean regions. While Jordan embarks on this journey for the first time, the remaining partner regions build on the strong foundations laid by the MedBEESinessHubs project, which introduced innovative, community-based approaches to Bee Economy development, apitourism and rural diversification across the Mediterranean.
Throughout the conference, participants explored how sustainable beekeeping practices, flora-based honey differentiation, women-led entrepreneurship and innovative apitourism models can strengthen local economies while preserving natural ecosystems. A dedicated project presentation outlined PLANBEE’s objectives, activities and expected impact, including the upskilling of bee entrepreneurs, the promotion of women-led initiatives under the MED Queen Bee concept, and the expansion of HoneyBeeRoutes as tools for sustainable tourism and rural growth.
A high-level panel discussion addressed key thematic areas, including:
The conference concluded with a networking session, fostering dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders committed to advancing a sustainable and innovative Bee Economy in Jordan and across the Mediterranean.
The buzz is real. The PLANBEE movement is growing.
For further information, please contact:
Demetra Palaonda, CCCI
Email: demetrap@ccci.org.cy
Tel: 22889713
Project links:
Website: https://www.interregnextmed.eu/project-page/planbee/about/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlanBeeNextMed
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PLANBEENEXTMED
DISCLAIMER: The contents of this press release are the sole responsibility of the CCCI and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union or the Programme management structures.