Last updated: October 2021
The project called “The Apiary of Kraków” includes several interrelated initiatives to establish beehives on the rooftops of various institutions in Cracow. The aim is to provide habitat for bees, and protect biodiversity, support urban pollination, increase social awareness on the topic. Urban honey is of better quality than honey produced in rural areas where pesticides are more common. The local administration-led initiative aims to promote Cracow as a pro-ecological city which soon will be selling its honey [1,2,3,4].
The Apiary of Cracow
Source: https://www.radiokrakow.pl/wiadomosci/krakow/w-pasiece-krakow-stanely-kolejne-ule/
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Grey infrastructure featuring greens
- Other
Key challenges
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity conservation
- Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
- Effective management
- Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
- Tourism support
- Sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12)
- Sustainable consumption
- Sustainable production
Focus
Knowledge creation and awareness raising, Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity
Project objectives
The aim is to provide habitat for bees, and protect biodiversity, support urban pollination, increase social awareness on the topic. Urban honey is of better quality than honey produced in rural areas where pesticides are more common. The local administration-led initiative aims to promote Cracow as a pro-ecological city which soon will be selling its honey [1,2,3,4].
Implementation activities
At the beginning of 2017, five beehives were established on the rooftops of five buildings in Cracow; later two more apiaries appeared in the roof of the city’s major theatre (Teat rim. Słowackiego) [2,6]. The citizens have also found a 'honey' garden in the centre of Cracow and organised educational workshops on themes like ‘how to build houses for pollinators and what plants are best for those insects.’ [1] Around 375.000 bees had been already living on the rooftop of Jagiellonian University in Cracow [2].
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity conservation:
- Protect and enhance urban habitats
- Create new habitats
- Protect species
- Undertake specific measures to protect species
- Undertake specific measures to protect endangered species
- Means for conservation governance
- Manage biological resources for conservation and sustainable use
- Raise public awareness
Main beneficiaries
- Local government/Municipality
- Non-government organisation/Civil Society
- Researchers/University
- Citizens or community groups
Governance
Management set-up
- Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Local government/municipality
- Private sector/corporate actor/company
- Researchers/university
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Dissemination of information and education
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
In 2017, Jagiellonian University purchased bees from the "Szeligów" apiary near Cracow and established beehives on the roofs of its multiple buildings. The citizens got involved in the educational workshops there. The municipality followed that initiative and decided to scale it in two steps: 1) new regulations on beehives were introduced; 2) the city itself invested in new rooftop apiaries in Cracow [2,3,4].
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Yes
(The City Council started the project "Apiary Cracow", which contributes to forming new beehives on the rooftops. The project is meant to help to promote Cracow as an eco-city.(2))
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
Source(s) of funding
- Public local authority budget
Type of funding
- Earmarked public budget
Non-financial contribution
Type of non-financial contribution
- Provision of labour
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
- Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Green space and habitat
- Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Increased number of species present
- Increased protection of threatened species
- Enhanced support of pollination
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Education
- Increased support for education and scientific research
- Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
- Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
References
1. Online article, 'Cracow helps the bees!' ('Kraków pomaga pszczołom!'), Source link (Accessed: 19 August 2020).
2. Gawlik, K., (2017) 'Bees fell in love with Cracow. We explain why' ('Pszczoły pokochały Kraków. Wyjaśniamy dlaczego'), Source link, Source link (Accessed: 17 July 2017). (Website not available in 2020).
3. Online article, (2017) 'Cracow: mini apiaries will appear on the urban roofs' ('Kraków: Mini pasieki powstaną na dachach budynków miejskich'), Source link (Accessed: 19 August 2020).
4. Online article, (2017), 'There are beehives on the Cracow's rooftops and there will be more of them' ('Na krakowskich dachach są już ule, a będzie ich więcej'), Source link (Accessed: 19 August 2020).
5. The City of Kraków official website. (2018). „Pasieka Kraków” – co to takiego? (The Apiary of Kraków - what is it?). Kraków.pl. Available at: Source link (Accessed: 19 August 2020).
6. Gut, T. (2018). W Pasiece Kraków stanęły kolejne ule (There are new hives in the Apiary of Kraków). Radio Kraków. Available at: Source link (Accessed: 19 August 2020).
2. Gawlik, K., (2017) 'Bees fell in love with Cracow. We explain why' ('Pszczoły pokochały Kraków. Wyjaśniamy dlaczego'), Source link, Source link (Accessed: 17 July 2017). (Website not available in 2020).
3. Online article, (2017) 'Cracow: mini apiaries will appear on the urban roofs' ('Kraków: Mini pasieki powstaną na dachach budynków miejskich'), Source link (Accessed: 19 August 2020).
4. Online article, (2017), 'There are beehives on the Cracow's rooftops and there will be more of them' ('Na krakowskich dachach są już ule, a będzie ich więcej'), Source link (Accessed: 19 August 2020).
5. The City of Kraków official website. (2018). „Pasieka Kraków” – co to takiego? (The Apiary of Kraków - what is it?). Kraków.pl. Available at: Source link (Accessed: 19 August 2020).
6. Gut, T. (2018). W Pasiece Kraków stanęły kolejne ule (There are new hives in the Apiary of Kraków). Radio Kraków. Available at: Source link (Accessed: 19 August 2020).