European integration and the accession to the EU are the most important issues of the Southeast European country. Special focus is laid on the alignment to European standards. As a transit country Serbia is particularly affected by the refugee crisis. At the same time the country is still suffering from the breakup of Yugoslavia.
Kolping in Serbia
Since the foundation of the National Association in the year 1999, the focus of the 398 members of the 12 Kolping Families has been on the following fields:
Revival of old beekeeper tradition
The Kolping members in rural areas realized that the development of a “new” agricultural sector was needed. Many families originally active in agriculture are not able to compete with big enterprises anymore. So they had a good idea already in 2004: beekeeping.
With the help of international donations the Kolping Families acquired 15 bee colonies and started to build up the beekeeping of Szaján. This beekeeping shall be a model for future beekeeping projects. Many Kolping members work on a voluntary basis in the honey production. The revenues from the sale of honey was used for the further modernization and improvement of the equipment as well as for the purchase of new tools.
The generated profit is used to support activities and projects and to strengthen the community that is very important for the poorer communities of the Vojvodina region. At the same time further trainings are offered for the youth who then choose the occupation of a beekeeper and are able to establish their own business.
