Grand Bahama Apiary Development & Education Program - Grand Bahama Beekeepers Co-operative Society LTD
Educate and Empower Bahamian youths to build and manage their own Apiary Businesses within the GBBCSL (Grand Bahama Beekepeers Co-operative)
Explain your project idea (2,000 characters)
The project hopes to empower the GBBC and the more rural communities of Grand Bahama by teaching them how to capture and preserve bees, sell nucleus packages and ultimately harvest honey for sale. There will be a 4 workshops ranging from beginners to advanced throughout the island that will show the participants how to obtain an income from the products of the hive whether is be from the honey , wax, propolis and creating nucleus hive for starter beekeepers. .:Specific Activities:. Conduct workshops and give educational talks to train local citizens about the myriad of opportunities afforded to those in the Apiculture Industry Produce literature and video content informing the local citizenry about the importance of the honey-bee and the hazards of exterminating them rather than preserving them Build new hives with alternative hive construction and beekeeping methods for underprivileged communities with a focus on fire & climate change (ex. Hurricane and Flood conditions) mitigation. Facilitate the development of low-cost pollination services for local farmers Hold workshops to train the Grand Bahama Beekeepers Cooperative Society in advanced beekeeping methodologies and product developmentWho are the beneficiaries? (1,000 characters)

How is your idea unique? (1,000 characters)
This project has been the first of its kind to use such a powerful support structure of partners (IICA, Bahamas Development Bank, BAIC, Dept of Co-operative Development, Office of the Prime Minister) under the Co-operative organization structure targeted at youths specifically to differentiate itself from similar initiatives in the country and the region.Idea Proposal Stage (choose one)
- Early Adoption: I have completed a pilot and analyzed the impact of that pilot on the intended users of the idea. I have begun to expand the pilot for early adoption.
Tell us more about your organization/company (1 sentence and website URL)
Grand Bahama Beekeeper's Cooperative was the result of a government project introducing beekeeping as a new potential industry to The Bahamas. Throughout the program, we gained experience through seasoned beekeepers from abroad, agro-ecotourism specialists and practicing in the field. https://www.facebook.com/groups/gbbeekeeperscoop/Expertise in sector
- 1-2 years
Organization Filing Status
- Yes, we are a registered non-profit.
- Yes, we are a registered social enterprise.
- Yes, we are a registered company.
In 3-4 sentences, tell us the inspiration or story that encouraged you to start this project.
The project was started out of the desire of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the Office of The Prime Minister, the Bahamas Development Bank (BDB) and the Department of Cooperatives all meeting with one goal in mind: Empowering Grand Bahamian youth in a way that boosts the economy and helps the environment.Please explain how your selected topic areas are influenced, in the local context of your project (1,000 characters).
Bridging Planet and Prosperity - Our project has always been laser focused on providing substantial opportunities to Grand Bahamian youths by empowering them to take a hold of their economic future by becoming business owners in the Apiary field and by doing so: also help the environment by encouraging the dying bee population to flourishWho will work alongside your organization in the project idea? (1,000 characters)
Bahamas Development Bank - Funding Assistance Inter-American Institute on Co-operation in Agriculture - Advise and training Office of the Prime Minister - Funding Assistance, Local Governmental Concessions and Policy Shaping Department of Co-operative Development - Advise and National Governmental ConcessionsPlease share some of the top strengths identified in the community which your project will serve (500 characters)
Direct connections with Governmental Agencies gives up a seat at the table for all policy decisions on Apiary Activities, Products, Services and Supplies. Grand Bahama's current unemployment statistics and the constant outflow of high-school graduates into a limited job market on the island makes for a substantial youth market for such a project The Grand Bahamian climate is perfectly suited for Apiary activitiesGeographic Focus
Northern BahamasHow many months are required for the project idea? (500 characters)
All partners involved in the project have signed on for a three year development period, of which we are in month 6, leaving 30 months left for the project's execution phase.Did you submit this idea to our 2017 BridgeBuilder Challenge? (Y/N)
- No
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