Buzzing with pride! Malta’s Honey Bee initiative earns spot among finalists for prestigious Golden Bee Award 2025
The award ceremony will take place on 20th May.
The Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee has been selected as one of the top three finalists for the esteemed Golden Bee Award 2025, a major global recognition in the field of pollinator conservation.
The Foundation’s groundbreaking work to have the Maltese Honey Bee (Apis mellifera ruttneri) officially declared as Malta’s National Insect has not only made history at home but is now also gaining acclaim abroad. This rare subspecies of honey bee, endemic to the Maltese Islands, plays a vital role in local ecosystems and biodiversity.
‘We are truly honoured that our work has been recognised at the highest international level,’ said Dylan Farrugia, President of the Foundation. ‘Being shortlisted for the Golden Bee Award affirms the importance of local action with global significance. It also highlights how even a small nation like Malta can serve as an exemplary model for other countries and lead meaningful change in the protection of pollinators, especially the endemic Maltese Honey Bee.’
The Golden Bee Award, established by the Republic of Slovenia, is the country’s highest national honour for outstanding contributions to the protection of bees and other pollinators. Finalists were selected based on initiatives that significantly advanced pollinator conservation, research, or awareness over the past seven years.
This year marks the fifth edition of the award, whose previous recipients have included organisations and experts from Argentina, Serbia, Slovenia, and Australia – all celebrated for their global impact on pollinator awareness and protection.
The 2025 award ceremony will take place on 20th May, which is World Bee Day, at 13:00 in the Palacij Hall at Ljubljana Castle in Slovenia. The winner will be announced by Mateja Čalušić, Chairwoman of the Golden Bee Award Committee and Slovenian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, with the award presented by the President of Slovenia, Dr Nataša Pirc Musar. The ceremony will be open to the international press and streamed online for global audiences.
So, while our bees might be small, their impact – and Malta’s recognition for protecting them – is anything but!
Well done to everyone involved!