BienenBrückenBauen invites wild bee fans, artists, designers and creatives to design innovative and aesthetically pleasing nesting aids for wild bees and thus set a visible example for biodiversity, sustainability and artistic commitment in public spaces.
The campaign combines biodiversity and environmental protection with artistic design and aims to draw attention to the habitats of wild bees – through creative interventions with ecological added value.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for designs for artistically designed wild bee nesting aids that are both functional and meet the needs of the animals. The implementation should offer both an aesthetic appeal for the public space and create species-appropriate nesting habitats.
The designs can be sculptures, installations or object-like forms that:
- provide suitable nesting elements for various wild bee species,
- can stand outside permanently (even in winter), so weatherproof material should be used
- consist of sustainable or environmentally friendly materials,
- fit in well with the overall concept of BienenBrückenBauen.
- prefabricated holes for wild bees nesting above ground, which in turn
- have a diameter of between 3 mm and 10 mm
- are between 5 and 20 cm deep
- are only open on one side at a time
- are smooth both at the opening and on the inside (i.e. have no wood splinters, resin or similar)
Even if the size of the nesting aids is basically open, we would give the dimensions 1 meter wide x 1 meter deep x 2 meters high as a guide. However, the object can also be smaller. The important thing is that it can be transported.
For detailed questions about the wild bee-friendly design of nesting aids, we have offered an online consultation on June 24, 2025, 7 pm. For the video recording of the appointment or if you have any further questions, please send us an e-mail to:
Conditions of participation
- The call is aimed at individual artists or collectives.
- One draft must be submitted per participant.
- The selection is made by a jury of experts from the fields of art, nature conservation and project participants.
Price
The selected artists will receive material costs and a fee for the conception and implementation of the design. The implementation will take place in coordination with the BienenBrückenBauen project team. A total of three submissions will be awarded.
The costs are made up as follows:
- Artistic concept & planning: maximum 500 euros
- Material costs: maximum 245 euros
- Construction & design: maximum 550 euros
- Travel costs, delivery & set-up on site: maximum 330 euros
Realization
The finished nesting aids are ceremoniously installed and presented at a public press event. Prominent locations in the cityscape are selected for this. The campaign will be accompanied and documented by the media.
Application deadline: July 31, 2025