Bragança hosted the second working meeting of the VIAPIS project, focused on developing beekeeping and conserving pollinators in the region of Bragança and Zamora. The project, with a global budget of 745,183.79 euros, is co-financed by the Interreg Spain-Portugal (POCTEP) program.
This meeting follows up on the kick-off meeting held on September 17th in Tábara, Spain. Areas of intervention were presented and actions to be developed in 2026 were analyzed.
One of the planned interventions is the creation of an ecological corridor between Rihonor de Castilla/Rio de Onor and Bragança, continuing the “International Pollinator Highway”. The Municipality of Bragança and the Polytechnic University of Bragança are involved, including the creation of an educational apiary to promote beekeeping and the importance of bees.
VIAPIS covers approximately 2,000 km2 of protected natural areas, including the Montesinho Natural Park (Portugal), the Serra da Culebra, and the Lake Sanabria Natural Park (Spain). Actions include planting species, creating gardens and shelters for pollinators, and a genetic bank for native bees.
The project also includes training for beekeepers, educational activities in cross-border schools, and initiatives for the economic use of hive products, as well as partnerships with restaurants and the development of tourism related to beekeeping.
Led by the Ayuntamiento de Tábara, VIAPIS involves the Municipality of Bragança, the Polytechnic University of Bragança, the National Federation of Beekeepers of Portugal, and the Ayuntamientos of Porto and Puebla de Sanabria.
“"The protection of bees and other pollinators is a concern we share with our Spanish neighbors. This project allows us to work together and develop actions in the territory. We want this work to have results for biodiversity, but also for beekeepers and rural communities on both sides of the border."
