This research introduces the Sustainable Beekeeping Practices Index (SBPI), a composite tool designed to assess the sustainability of beekeeping systems across multiple dimensions. Built using field data from beekeepers in Albania and a participatory methodology involving experts and practitioners, the index combines factors such as colony health, genetic diversity, environmental pressures, and management practices into a single analytical framework.  

The results show that disease management and colony health are by far the most influential drivers of sustainability, accounting for over one third of the overall index. Genetic diversity and hive resilience also play a significant role, while environmental stressors and management practices, though less directly controlled by beekeepers, remain critical in shaping outcomes.  

Beyond measurement, the SBPI is positioned as a practical decision-support tool. It can inform training programmes, certification systems and policy design, helping align technical practices with broader goals related to food security, biodiversity conservation and rural development. The study provides a structured basis for targeted interventions, particularly in disease monitoring, local breeding strategies and adaptive responses to environmental change.