Grant Advisory Desk
We monitor national and international grant calls and provide free support in choosing the right call, listing documents and checking application files. We never charge a consultancy fee.
01 — Area of Work
Rural Development
Work that increases producer income, strengthens organisation and eases access to resources.
Cooperatives
We guide the establishment of cooperatives and producer unions to increase the bargaining power of smallholders, and strengthen the institutional capacity of existing ones.
Agricultural Production
Training on soil analysis, correct fertilisation, irrigation and crop patterns; supporting the spread of good agricultural practices.
Livestock
Technical guidance on housing conditions, animal health, feed management and milk quality in small family farms.
02 — Area of Work
Beekeeping
Conservation, quality and branding work for the bee and honey Yigilca is best known for.
The Yigilca Bee
Together with our partners we support isolated mating areas, queen breeding and genetic monitoring to protect the purity of this regional bee ecotype.
Honey Quality & Analysis
We make laboratory analysis accessible for producers and help them interpret moisture, HMF and pollen analysis results.
Hive Management Training
Free hands-on training at the beginning and end of each season on wintering, varroa control, splitting and harvesting.
Branding & Marketing
Guidance on a joint brand, hygienic packaging, labelling legislation and online sales channels.
03 — Area of Work
Women & Youth
Opportunities that make staying and producing in the region attractive.
Women's Entrepreneurship
Workshops on business idea development, costing, registration and taxation; support for setting up a women's cooperative.
Handicraft Products
Standardising, packaging and marketing jams, pickles, weaving and wooden products at a joint sales point.
Youth Workshops
Digital skills, photography and video, nature guiding and entrepreneurship workshops; social and sports activities.
Scholarship & Internship Bridge
We connect university students with scholarship providers and vocational school students with internship opportunities.
04 — Area of Work
Nature & Forest
The forest is Yigilca's greatest asset; protecting it is a condition of long-term development.
Afforestation
Twice a year we organise planting drives with the forest management office and follow up on the care of the saplings.
Wildlife
Recording species in the region, reducing human-wildlife conflict and running awareness training.
Waste & Clean-up
Stream bed and picnic area clean-ups, packaging waste collection points and recycling education in schools.
Forest Fire Awareness
Village briefings during high-risk periods, first-response training and a volunteer watch network.
05 — Area of Work
Culture & Tourism
We record the cultural heritage of the region and make it meaningful for visitors.
Cultural Heritage
Oral history recordings, local crafts, traditional building techniques and folk dances documented.
Rural Tourism Routes
Mapping and signposting hiking and cycling routes; guidance for households offering accommodation.
Festivals
Honey harvest festival, highland festivities and producer markets promoting local products.
Local Gastronomy
Recipe archive of local dishes, producer-restaurant matching and geographical indication work.
06 — Area of Work
Projects
Our ongoing and completed projects.
Ongoing Projects
01
Yigilca Honey Value Chain
Quality standards, a joint brand and a digital sales channel from producer to consumer.
02
I Stay in My Village
Vocational training, mentoring and access to small-scale investment support for young producers.
03
Green Yigilca
Two afforestation drives a year, environmental education in schools and waste management awareness.
Completed Projects
04
Village Meetings & Needs Assessment
Identifying and reporting priority needs through meetings in 34 villages.
05
Seasonal Beekeeping Training
Hands-on hive management and harvesting training for more than 60 producers.
06
Digital Promotion Workshop
Training producers on promoting and selling products through social media.
Training & Workshops
All training and workshops organised by our association are free of charge. Where capacity is limited, priority is given to members and local producers. Follow the news page for the current calendar and use the contact form to register.
| Training | Target group | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Hive management and wintering | Beekeepers | September – October |
| Honey harvesting and hygiene | Beekeepers | May – June |
| Grant application and business plan | All producers | During call periods |
| Digital marketing | Women entrepreneurs | Winter |
| Nature guiding | Young people | Spring |
Do you have a project idea?
If you have an idea that adds value to the region, let's evaluate it together.
