Beekeeping is often seen as a simple activity.

At Bees Abroad, we know it can be something much more powerful.

As we look ahead to 2026, our focus is clear: building livelihoods that last by investing in skills, local leadership, and community-led solutions.

This year is not about doing more for the sake of growth. It is about doing what works, more deeply.

Why Skills Matter

Across the communities we work with, one truth comes up again and again:

short-term support fades, but skills endure.

Beekeeping offers more than honey. When taught well and supported locally, it provides:

• Reliable income

• Food security

• Opportunities for leadership

• Incentives to protect the environment

In 2026, Bees Abroad is prioritising skill-based development models that allow knowledge to spread naturally within communities long after a project ends.

A Focus on Multiplying Impact

Rather than supporting isolated individuals, our projects increasingly focus on train-the-trainer models.

This means:

• Experienced beekeepers are equipped to train others

• Young people gain practical skills and confidence

• Women step into leadership and teaching roles

• Communities retain knowledge locally

When one trained beekeeper becomes a trainer, impact multiplies.

That is how change becomes sustainable.

What Our Work Will Look Like in 2026

In the year ahead, Bees Abroad will be supporting projects across several regions, united by a shared approach.

Our work will include:

• Youth-focused beekeeping programmes, helping younger generations carry skills forward where traditional practices are at risk of disappearing

• Women’s empowerment initiatives, creating alternative livelihoods and long-term economic opportunity

• Conservation-linked projects, where beekeeping helps protect forests, wildlife, and biodiversity while generating income

• Support for local social enterprises, enabling organisations to move toward self-reliance through honey sales and value-added products

While each project is shaped by its local context, all are guided by the same principle: communities lead, Bees Abroad supports.

Community-Led, Volunteer-Supported

One of the things that sets Bees Abroad apart is how projects are delivered.

Our work is:

• Designed with local partners

• Led by local experts and trainers

• Supported by skilled volunteers who share knowledge, not control

Funding is directed toward people on the ground, not heavy structures.

This approach keeps projects grounded, responsive, and effective.

Linking Livelihoods and the Environment

Beekeeping sits at the intersection of income generation and environmental stewardship.

Many of our 2026 projects link livelihoods with:

• Forest conservation

• Tree planting and forage development

• Reducing pressure on wildlife habitats

• Sustainable land use

When communities can earn a living without harming their environment, both people and ecosystems benefit.

How Matched Funding Strengthens Impact

Campaigns such as Green Match and the Big Give Christmas Challenge play an important role in our work.

Matched funding:

• Doubles the value of donations

• Allows projects to start with stronger foundations

• Helps us reach more communities more quickly

Every pound matched becomes more training sessions, more equipment, and more livelihoods supported.

Looking Forward Together

Everything we are building in 2026 rests on one belief:

lasting change comes from within communities.

By investing in skills, leadership, and local ownership, we aim to support livelihoods that continue long after a project ends.

To everyone who has supported Bees Abroad so far, thank you.

And to those joining us on the journey ahead, we are glad to have you with us.

Together, we are growing skills, confidence, and communities that can thrive.