PRIA is accepting applications for the 2025 beekeeping support scheme until May 12. The support is aimed at beekeeping businesses to help cover the costs of keeping bees and to encourage the registration of bee colonies, which plays an important role in controlling the spread of bee diseases and ensuring food security.

The support can be applied for by legal entities and self-employed individuals who keep at least 16 bee colonies. The apiary must be registered in the agricultural animals register by April 30, 2025, and the number of bee colonies must be reported to the register by May 5, 2025. Applicants must be PRIA clients and registered as animal keepers. Applications must be submitted via e-PRIA between May 1 and May 12, 2025.

According to Jaana Karja, head of PRIA’s service development office for support schemes, the budget for the beekeeping support was reduced this year, which also led to changes in the purpose of the support. “As of 2025, the support is not only aimed at its previous objectives but increasingly at ensuring food security and enhancing the competitiveness of the beekeeping sector. Starting this year, TARU support is only available to legal entities and self-employed persons who keep at least 16 bee colonies,” Karja explained.

The 2025 support budget is €560,000. The exact amount paid per bee colony depends on the total number of eligible applications submitted. PRIA will set the payment rate by October 1, 2025, and the funds will be paid out by December 31, 2025.

Additional details and eligibility conditions are available on PRIA’s support information page.