The Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee has achieved international recognition, after its pioneering initiative to have the Maltese Honey Bee (Apis mellifera ruttneri) officially declared Malta’s National Insect, was selected as one of the top three finalists for the esteemed Golden Bee Award 2025. The award ceremony will be held on 20th May – World Bee Day – at Ljubljana Castle in Slovenia.
This nomination places Malta alongside global leaders in pollinator conservation, showcasing the nation’s growing commitment to environmental protection, biodiversity, and sustainable agriculture. The Foundation‘s initiative was shortlisted from among numerous international submissions, all evaluated on their impact in promoting, conserving, or researching bees and other pollinators over the past seven years.
The Golden Bee Award, established by the Republic of Slovenia, is the highest national honour for outstanding contributions in the field of bee and pollinator conservation. It recognises individuals, organisations, or projects that have significantly advanced the understanding, protection, and appreciation of pollinators and their role in global food security, nature conservation, and cultural heritage. The award reflects Slovenia’s continued leadership in advocating for bees, having also spearheaded the global designation of 20th May as World Bee Day by the United Nations.
In 2024, the Foundation’s efforts culminated in the formal declaration of the Maltese Honey Bee as the National Insect of Malta, following a submission to the Environment and Resources Authority on 20th May 2023. The request was grounded in a legal study conducted in collaboration with the University of Malta, which explored the significance and feasibility of such a designation. Legal Notice 242 of 2024, issued on 24th September after passing through a public consultation process earlier in the year, marked a historic milestone in Malta’s environmental history.
The Maltese Honey Bee is an endemic subspecies of the Western Honey Bee, uniquely adapted to Malta’s climate and ecosystems; a true treasure of Malta’s natural heritage. It plays a vital role in local pollination, supporting both wild flora and agriculture, However, this subspecies is under threat due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and majorly from hybridisation with imported bee strains.
The Foundation’s multi-pronged initiative combined legal advocacy, public awareness campaigns through community engagements, educational programmes, and multimedia productions to ensure that both policymakers and the general public recognised the importance of protecting this national treasure. The project also sought to inspire future conservation efforts by positioning the Maltese Honey Bee as a flagship species for wider ecological awareness.
“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 winner of the Golden Bee Award will be announced by the Chairwoman of the Golden Bee Award Committee, Slovenian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, Mateja Čalušić, with the award presented by the President of Slovenia, Dr Nataša Pirc Musar. The ceremony, to be held at 13:00 in the Palacij Hall at Ljubljana Castle, will be open to the international press and streamed online.
This year marks the fifth edition of the Golden Bee Award. Previous recipients have included experts and organisations from Argentina, Serbia, Slovenia, and Australia, whose work has significantly advanced pollinator awareness and protection on a global scale.
As Malta awaits the final result, the Foundation’s nomination stands as a testament to the enduring value of grassroots conservation efforts and the vital role of education, science, and civic engagement in protecting the planet’s biodiversity.
To stay up to date with the Foundation’s work, we warmly invite you to join our WhatsApp community. The smooth functioning of our organisation relies on financial resources, and your support is essential. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a real difference in advancing our mission. You can help by joining the Foundation’s cause, become a supporter for just €10 a year or make a donation here: Support the Foundation.
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