Meli

We are a network of 300+ Forest Defenders across Latin America to, collectively, lead a bottom-up process of environmental regeneration based on climate justice.

Report 2025

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What we do

We connect and empower 376+ Forest Defenders from indigenous and local communities who act as multipliers in each of their communities, impacting 10.000+ persons.

We have developed 10+ in-person workshops engaging 500+ participants.

Our Platform has 65+ videos of Forest Defenders sharing their knowledge.

We have supported the production of 9 indigenous books and animations.

We support 27 community-led Agroforestries.

We support 30 community-led Meliponaries.

We support the protection of over 500.000 hectares of forest.

Check our workshops:

Our Activities:

Seeds of Connection: We get together, listen to each other and start our connection.
Pollinators Program: Where Forest Defenders from Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities support each other on their Regenerative Practices.
Bridging Worldviews: Amplifying Communities’ Voices for Global Impact.
Meli Think Tank: Forest Defenders build knowledge amongst peers and partners.

All our activities are based on the three pillars:

Focus and Programs

We coordinate Impact Networks, support Community-Led Projects, and amplify Contra-Colonial Voices. Check some of the activities:

Network

We engage 100+ indigenous and local communities and they strengthen each other.

Storytelling

Storytelling (or rather "Storylistening") projects and their Regenerative Power.

Native Beekeeping

Projects related to protection and keeping of native stingless bees.

Agroforestry

Enhance community-based agroforestry for food sovereignty and biodiversity protection.

Pollinating Regeneration

Potentialise projects that are develop in deep partnership with the communities, since its idea.

Tech for Good

Use of technical tools to support the indigenous and local leaders solving their challenges.

Our Roots

Learn about the communities engaged in our network and the places they are connected with

Bridging Worldviews

We amplifying communities’ voices for global impact

You can also get involved and support us develop such projects!

Why stingless bees?

We are inspired by Meliponini bees, the native pollinators because:

They are local biodiversity
Are connected with indigenous wisdom
Live within cohesive hives
They secure their livelihood…
…While doing crucial ecosystem services!

Just like the bees, we support activities with positive impact on local biodiversity for land and people to flourish.

Our Approach

For us, territory stewardship represents a holistic approach connecting key aspects:

Cultural and Spiritual Connection between communities and their territories are integral to their identity, traditions, and way of life.
Regenerative Practices traditional land-use techniques aligned with modern science and community-based governance promote long-term health and productivity of ecosystems.
Community Engagement stewardship activities involve active participation and decision-making by members of the communities, drawing on traditional knowledge, customary laws, and collective decision-making processes.
Biodiversity Integrity recognizing the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems for future generations.
Land Rights and Sovereignty challenging colonial and extractive approaches to land management and advocating for self-determination over traditional territories.
Intergenerational Approach exchanging knowledge, values, and responsibilities amongst elders, adults, youth and children, to ensure the well-being of present and future generations.

Our Connections

The following groups and/or their members are a part of our journey:

[Updates coming soon]

Our Impact

Our projects positively impact (1) local biodiversity, (2) community resilience, (3) citizen science, (4) education and cultural heritage conservation, (5) food sovereignty and (6) economic security.