Molise Allocates €1 Million to Bolster Beekeeping and Biodiversity Through 2026

The Italian region of Molise is significantly ramping up its efforts to protect regional flora and sustain apiculture, marking a pivotal moment for the area's environmental health. This strategic push follows the official reconvening of the Regional Apicultural Committee in January 2026. The committee's revival is a cornerstone of the region's plan to deploy essential policy tools designed to safeguard the local ecosystem and promote sustainable growth within the agricultural sector.

Salvatore Micone, the Councilor for Agricultural Policy, was the driving force behind the committee's assembly, which had not met since October of the previous year. Micone, who also manages portfolios for rural development, forest management, and digital transition, emphasized that these measures are vital for supporting extensive agriculture across the territory. He noted that preserving spontaneous flora and the region's overall biodiversity provides indispensable resources for local beekeepers, ensuring that the natural heritage of Molise remains intact for future generations.

A major component of this environmental strategy is the upcoming release of the Bando ACA18, which is slated for official publication by mid-February 2026. Backed by a substantial €1 million investment, this funding is specifically designed to combat the decline of pollinator populations while incentivizing beekeeping practices that enhance environmental quality. This initiative represents the first of its kind for Molise, aligning with the SRA18–ACA18 "Beekeeping Commitments" under the 2023–2027 Regional Rural Development Plan (CSR). The final rollout of the Bando ACA18 is currently awaiting the necessary verification and approval from AGEA to ensure all administrative standards are met.

Furthermore, the strategy introduces the newly developed Regional Beekeeping Charter, known as the "Carta apistica regionale." This comprehensive document maps out the territories within Molise that are most suitable for apiculture based on detailed land-use analysis. By examining permanent meadows, deciduous forests, and natural pastures, the charter identifies "target species" and their specific flowering periods. This technical framework, which utilizes mapping data from the Ministry of the Environment and land registry records, creates a direct link between land management and conservation obligations, providing a clear roadmap for aid applicants and environmental managers.

This regional initiative highlights the essential connection between the health of pollinators and the stability of the entire ecosystem, reflecting broader European environmental mandates. Across the continent, the dwindling numbers of wild pollinating insects pose a threat to approximately four out of every five flowering plant species that rely on animal-assisted pollination. Molise’s €1 million program serves as a tangible contribution to biodiversity conservation, supporting the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, which aims to reverse these ecological trends by the end of the decade. By prioritizing the protection of bees and their habitats, Molise is positioning itself as a leader in regional environmental stewardship.