Pollinators, especially bees, are essential to life on Earth. They enable the pollination of countless crops—fruits, vegetables, nuts, and more—directly supporting the food we rely on every day. Beyond agriculture, pollinators sustain ecosystems, preserve biodiversity, and play a crucial role in helping nature adapt to climate change. Protecting them means safeguarding the very foundation of our environment and future.
To celebrate World Bee Day on 20 May 2025, we invite you to participate in a photography contest under the theme:
“BEE INSPIRED BY NATURE TO NOURISH US ALL”
This contest highlights the invaluable connections between pollinators, ecosystems, and food systems, raising awareness on the importance of protecting bees and their habitats. Whether it’s a close-up of bees or other pollinators at work, vibrant flowers they pollinate, communities preserving their habitats, or the rich harvests their efforts make possible—capture these moments through your lens.
Pollinators are vital to achieving a sustainable future. By safeguarding them, we support food security, rural livelihoods, climate resilience, and biodiversity—key pillars of global sustainability goals. Nature itself provides a model for balance and resilience: agroforestry, crop diversification, and other nature-inspired practices create thriving habitats for pollinators, enhancing productivity while protecting the environment.
Indigenous Peoples communities play a crucial role in this effort. Their knowledge and sustainable practices reflect a deep harmony between agriculture and nature, offering invaluable lessons for protecting pollinators and preserving biodiversity.
The Contest includes three categories:
General Public: Entrants aged 18 years and above
Empowering Rural Women: Open to entrants of all ages. Focuses on the role of rural women in sustainable beekeeping and pollinators protection.
Indigenous Peoples’s Food and Knowledge Systems: Open to entrants of all ages. Highlights the contributions of Indigenous Peoples to conservation and sustainable use of pollinators (including beekeeping with indigenous bees, Indigenous Peoples’ cosmogonies related to bees and other pollinators, Indigenous Peoples’ diverse uses of bee related products...)
The best photos will be displayed during the World Bee Day exhibition, recognizing not only the beauty of pollinators but their vital role in sustaining our planet.
Together, let’s celebrate pollinators and inspire action to protect these unsung heroes of our ecosystems, ensuring their survival for generations to come.
The Contest opens at 12:00 Central European Time (CET) on 14 March 2025 and closes at 12:00 CET on 14 April 2025.
Entries received after the deadline will not be considered.
How to participate
- Take a photo inspired by the theme “Bee inspired by nature to nourish us all” under one of the 4 categories
- Fill in the online entry form, describing what your photo represents and its connection to the theme.
- Don’t forget to share your photo on social media using the hashtags: #WorldBeeDay and #SaveTheBees
Disclaimer: Participants should be 18 years old and above.
Prizes and Recognition The five winning images will be announced on 20 May 2025 and showcased across FAO’s official social media channels. Winning photos will also be featured in a dedicated photography exhibition at the 2nd International Forum for Action on Sustainable Beekeeping and Pollination in Ethiopia.
Winners will receive a certificate of recognition signed by FAO and a special collection of FAO merchandise including a backpack, water bottle and notebook.
Judging Criteria Entries will be evaluated based on:
- Originality
- Relevance to the theme
- Artistic value
- Communication potential
Let’s celebrate and protect our pollinators through the art of photography. Together, we can inspire action to safeguard their future and, in turn, our own. 🐝