Meli

Meli Bees Network gUG is an independent organization that engages & empowers Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in vulnerable areas. We, collectively, lead a bottom-up process of environmental regeneration for climate justice.

We build Autonomy and Territory Stewardship with a Global Impact Network as we engage and dream together with +100 indigenous and local communities, connect them amongst peers and partners to fund community-led projects with human focus and a holistic approach.

Our goal is to promote the autonomy of individuals and communities through projects aimed at the management, creation of forests and environmentally balanced biomes for the promotion of life and human dignity of the communities.

What we do

At Meli, we are driven by a profound commitment to empower indigenous and local communities at the forefront of environmental regeneration. We actively empower them through network building, support for community-led projects, and amplifying community voices. We champion grassroots climate justice, connecting and engaging communities worldwide through the programs:

• Pollinators Fellowship
• Pollinating Regeneration
• Meli Think Tank

Why stingless bees?

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

Our Approach

We support the territory stewardship from Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, as it refers to management, protection, and sustainable use of land, resources, and ecosystems by IPLC who have traditional and ancestral ties to specific territories. It embodies a holistic approach to environmental conservation and cultural preservation rooted in indigenous knowledge, practices, and values.

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

1. Cultural and Spiritual Connection between communities and their territories are integral to their identity, traditions, and way of life.
2. Regenerative Practices traditional land-use techniques aligned with modern science and community-based governance promote long-term health and productivity of ecosystems.
3. 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.
4. Biodiversity Integrity recognising the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems for future generations.
5. Land Rights and Sovereignty challenging colonial and extractive approaches to land management and advocating for self-determination over traditional territories.
6. Intergenerational Approach exchanging knowledge, values, and responsibilities amongst elders, adults, youth and children, to ensure the well-being of present and future generations.

Communities

We engage communities in the following biomes:

[Updates coming soon]

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.

Read More!

Contact us via hello@meli-bees.org