Industry Project 2024/2025: Aalto Global Impact (AGI)

The IDBM Industry Project Course is a seven-month journey of collaboration, exploration, and innovation, where students addressing real-world challenges in collaboration with industry partners. This year, we’re inviting you to follow 10 different stories as our teams move through different stages of their project journeys.

In Menengai, beekeeping offers more than just honey. For many in the community, it’s a chance to build a more stable future and gain independence. There's no shortage of drive or determination, but getting started isn’t easy. Many face real obstacles, from limited funds and lack of training to local issues like vandalism, wildlife, and drought. Still, the potential is clear. These bee farms don’t just create income, they also help protect the surrounding forests, offering a path forward that benefits both people and the land.

Menengai bee farmers showing and explaining their beekeeping practices. Menengai Forest, Kenya.

To help turn this potential into reality, the Aalto Global Impact (AGI) team is working closely with the Menengai community. This initiative is led by six students from the IDBM - Anastasia Bratter, Charles Defente, Marek Ševčík, Anniina Pantsu, Alvar Berglund, and Krista Kerola - in close collaboration with Aalto University, Egerton University and the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture. The project is also supported by the Sustainability Action Booster and ÉSAD Design School of Reims.

Aalto Global Impact Team with the Menengai Community.

Last November, the team traveled to Menengai Forest, near Nakuru, Kenya, to conduct field research. Through a combination of interviews, data collection, and direct observations, they were able to gain a deep understanding of the key challenges faced by the Menengai community. This firsthand insight enabled them to identify the most pressing issues and start developing practical solutions to address them.

Damaged beehives.

AGI team members interviewing local bee farmers.

In April this year, the AGI team had the chance to visit France, where they researched local beekeeping and hive designing practices. They were warmly welcomed by ÉSAD Design School of Reims, which hosted a workshop focused on creating wood hive prototypes. The goal was to address issues such as honey badger attacks, bee health, and forest sustainability, with the help of local professionals.

A local beekeeper sharing traditional beekeeping practices. Reims, France.

Beehive construction workshop at ÉSAD Design School of Reims.

Outcome of the workshop.

In early May, the team organized the "Beekeeping from Kenya to Aalto" event, made possible through the generous support of the Sustainability Action Booster. During the event, they presented their project to a broader Aalto audience and facilitated a Participatory Design Workshop. They team also consulted their proposed solutions with the Aalto Beekeeping Community, gaining valuable feedback and perspectives. The event sparked meaningful discussions, inspired new ideas, and further strengthened the project's connection with the Aalto community.

Beekeeping from Kenya to Aalto event. Aalto University, Finland.

Introducing the project to the Aalto community.

Participatory Design Workshop.

This month, the team will showcase the final outcomes of their project at the Impact Gala on May 23, 2025. Attendees will be able to see the results of months of hard work, research, and collaboration, as well as gain insights into the future potential of the project.

If you're interested in reading more details about the project, here's the link to the blog where the team shares their steps throughout the journey: https://ourblogs.aalto.fi/aalto-global-impact-beekeeping-in-kenya

Learn more about the team:

Anastasia (IDBM BIZ) - Linkedin

Charles (IDBM ARTS) - Linkedin

Marek (IDBM ARTS) - Linkedin

Anniina (IDBM BIZ) - Linkedin

Krista (IDBM BIZ) - Linkedin

Alvar (IDBM BIZ) - Linkedin