2026 Beginners' Beekeeping Course in English – Call for interest
The Urban Beekeepers' Association of Slovenia (društvo Urbani čebelar) intends to organize a beekeeping course for beginners in English, which will take place during the season 2026 (March-October) in Ljubljana. We have our own regular space available for lectures and workshops, and the practical part will be carried out at beehives on various exclusive locations within the wider city centre.
The plan is to hold two meetings per month on predetermined afternoons, lasting two to three hours each, from March till October 2026. Approximately half of the time will be devoted to learning beekeeping theory and half to practical tasks. No prior knowledge of beekeeping is required. The course is primarily intended for foreigners (young adults and young-at-heart adults) living in Slovenia who would like to learn about this activity.
The emphasis is on independent work and learning firsthand about various events in honeybee colonies throughout the season. Our approach to beekeeping is eco-organic and sustainable. All lecturers have many years of experience and certificates in this field, and we have run beekeeping courses in the past.
At the end of the course, each participant receives a jar of honey and pollen produced during the season. If there is interest, we can also organize a half-day excursion to a beekeeping location outside Ljubljana.
Theoretical part
• History of beekeeping – the difference between traditional and modern beekeeping.
• The importance of honeybees and the relation between honeybees and other pollinators; principles of biological development of the bee colony throughout the season.
• Different types of beehive systems and their key components; recognition and prevention of bee diseases.
• Eco-organic approach to beekeeping throughout the year; characteristics and properties of honey, pollen, propolis, and other bee products.
• Specifics of beekeeping in the cities; basics of good beekeeping practice & sustainable principles.
Practical part
• Approaching the hives, precautionary principles.
• Familiarization with protective equipment and its use.
• Self-preparation of honeycomb frames.
• Getting to know the hive parts and their function.
• Reading the frame - what certain situations within the hive communicate at a certain point in the season.
• Identification of individual members of the bee colony, marking of the queen.
• Recognizing pre-swarming behaviour and measures to prevent swarming.
• Collecting and storing fresh pollen and extracting honey.
• Recognizing the signs of possible diseases; treating the hives against varroa parasite.
• Preparing the colonies for autumn and winter.
• Other fieldwork-related tasks.
The beekeeping course is boutique in nature, and we will accept a maximum of 15 participants; they will be taught by several instructors. The course is designed to be self-funded. The amount of the contribution depends on the number of participants.
The expected price for the whole course is:
3 participants – 550 € per participant
4-8 participants – 380 € per participant
9 or more participants – 320 € per participant
Applications will be accepted until the March 10th 2026 or until all places are filled. Please send an email with contacts and a brief description (age, interests) to: info@urbanicebelar.si
For more information about our international activities, visit: https://urbanicebelar.si/en
(photo credits: Borut Krajnc, Luka Dakskobler, Tomaž Skale)