'Beekeeping for Poverty Alleviation' is a four-month intensive training that addresses all aspects needed to develop beekeeping into a powerful factor of rural development. Students learn the crucial tricks of the art of beekeeping and the production of high quality bee products. They are also taught how to diversify market products, approach the local population and engage them in beekeeping. Other topics include ensuring the provision of sufficient sources of nectar and pollen; linking beekeeping with farming and nature conservation; good contacts with policymakers and authorities; and channels for attracting finance. An interdisciplinary attitude is a key feature of the programme.

Notwithstanding its academic level, the training programme is fully moulded to substantive application in rural areas. Students are asked to present the problems of beekeeping in their region or country at the beginning of the course. At the end they have the opportunity to formulate specific solutions in discussion with the group and the lecturers. There are trips to renowned bee research centres and apiarists in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. There is plenty of room for exchanging views and experiences.

You can apply for a VLIR-UOS scholarship to attend this training. If the number of assigned VLIR-UOS scholarships is less then 20, you can apply to attend the training with own financial means. All applicants must meet the academic and VLIR-UOS requirements.