<< Background >>Knowledge, skills and innovation are the indispensable foundation of sustainable development. Modern agriculture is largely based on new technological solutions closely related to the increasing use of information and communication technologies (ICT) and various software solutions, for both training and managing the production processes. Apiculture as an agricultural branch is not an exception of this. Yet, apiculture remains largely dependent on self-study from individual experience, while the technical and technological training is poorly explored. In Europe there is still a huge gap in technological development and organization of apiculture. Training in apiculture calls for a serious consideration, as it records less and less contact and support for the bee-keepers. In addition, in a vast majority of European countries and regions, especially those of southern Europe, a well-developed sphere of formation and transfer of knowledge is required for quite some time (https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/docgener/studies/pdf/region2020_phase2/challenge2020_report.pdf ).At the same time, apiculture is very present as an agricultural branch in BEE-IN consortium countries Greece, Italy, Cyprus and North Macedonia, where, on the other side, Vocational Training Education (VET) offers very poor to non-existent training in this field. Building a sustainable regional future for the large extent hence depends on the intersection of the two which, even though a concern that should be addressed in all parts of society as a critical strategic area for development and economic activity, has in so far not been given a fair attention in educational and training practices.BEE-IN project partnership made a desk research on the issues and needs the bee-keepers are facing as well as their expectations, from one side, but also, the challenges in the VET system, and then developed the BEE-IN project idea incorporating three project results as well as a set of dissemination and training activities to achieve the project objective of introducing digitalization in apiculture and VET.<< Objectives >>Given these preliminary considerations, the first challenge of BEE-IN project is to boost knowledge and technology transfer in the apiculture sector. The possibility to increase the level of information available to apiculture practitioners about new technologies and training is directly linked to sectorial investments, economic and environmental efficiency and sustainability, food healthiness and safety as well as the ability to compete in the international market area. The scientific development complements this objective by focusing on knowledge share and fostering the technology and innovations in apiculture. Erasmus+2021 Call fosters innovation, cooperation, and development of digital knowledge base in VET enhancing and promoting innovative digital training technologies and sustainable management (https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/resources/documents/2021-call-cooperation-partnerships-vocational-education-and-training-ka220-vet_en). The establishment of VET digital training programs for bee-keeping stakeholders through educational institutions is desperately needed. In that context BEE-IN project is focused on innovative approaches to knowledge exchange that were taking advantage of new digital technologies, and that were based on synergies between information management and communication for development. Its objective is to foster the introduction of digital training in VET by bringing relevant expertise and resources across the international development community into a more coherent and systematic approach.<< Implementation >>In order to contribute to the digital training, BEE-IN project defined three project results for introduction, popularization and application of the digital training in apiculture and VET, which will be followed by organization of a digital training in a form of webinars based on the training materials created within the project results. Project activities are aimed at and tailored according to the needs of the target group such as beekeepers, VET trainers and policy makers, researchers, development practitioners, as well skilled as unskilled other members of vulnerable groups.For successful implementation of BEE-IN project, the following set of project activities are foreseen:1)Organization of transnational meetings for the project partners during which the project results will be elaborated, discussed, coordinated, and implemented.2)3 project results:PR1. Digital Bee-keeping classroomPR2. Digital hive (OER)PR3. My Digital Bee-buddy3)4 national webinars (digital training) based on the project results outcomes4)E1 media event which is planed as a large scale media event to promote the BEE-IN project activities, Erasmus+ program and to provide for networking among stakeholders in both bee-keeping , but also VET and representatives in the ministries of education who are in charge with the monitoring and upgrade of the training curricula.<< Results >>BEE-IN resembles a unique project which is innovative in its nature with a direct impact on creation of national apiculture training programs. It aims to trigger higher level of knowledge, skills and application with reference to use of ICT in VET and training in apiculture. Henceforth, BEE-IN connects key HEIs, VET and industry learning communities’ participants in the process of co-creating and testing new digital training methods and practices, initiating professional pitch competitions (hackathons), and spinning off a distinctive regional education-business collaboration platform. On the impact level boosted ICTs use in apiculture underpins sustainable rural development, increases resilience of rural families, improves access of beekeepers to needed services, and further empowers VET educators for developing new, competitive digital training programs.The expected results from BEE-IN project implementation are :-initiated digitalization in VET in four countries (Greece, Italy, Cyprus, North Macedonia);-improved and modernized VET system;-improved pedagogical skills of VET trainers;-raised awareness for the digitalization in VET;-raised awareness for the need of innovative apiculture training programs;- created digital training course in the field of most up-to-date apiculture topics (PR1);-developed OER digital hive for the legal, agro-economy services and networking (PR2);-created illustrative handbook on Developmental appropriate practice for dealing with digital teaching cases for VET educators (PR3);-created network and strengthening the synergy among bee-keepers by widening their perspectives on application of new knowledge in bee-keeping made possible with the developed training materials (PR1);- organized 8 webinars based on PR1 and PR2 for the bee-keepers;-organized 4 webinars based on PR3 for VET educators;- increased the skills of min. 400 bee-keepers will be strengthened in the field of sustainable bee-keeping and apiculture;-improved and expanded business of the bee-keepers through the opportunity for networking (PR2)-initiated insight into the possibilities for production of new pharmaceutical bee-keeping products through the PR2 services;- skills gap of apiculture stakeholders hampering their income will be filled;-increased skills of VET educators in providing the digital training (PR3);-established strategic partnership between the participants of the consortium for sustainable exchange and development of good practices in apiculture and applying them in further developing VET programs in apiculture;- networking of and best practice sharing among apiculture stakeholders, VET staff, academic staff and agriculture practitioners will be initiated through their participation in webinar trainings, and the E1 media event as well as the dissemination activities;- strengthened cooperation between the bee-keepers and VET educators will be improved (business and academic axes);- improved sustainable apiculture at the project consortium countries and beyond;- improved VET in the field of apiculture.