About us

Meli Bees Network gUG is a non-profit organisation based in Baden-Württemberg, with roots in the most endangered areas of the Amazon. Inspired by the Meliponini bees, aims to create environmentally and economically sustainable activities that allows both land and people to flourish.

We bridge indigenous and local communities, researchers and environmentally engaged groups around the globe to deliver thriving cooperation to achieve a large and effective positive impact on the global climate.

Who we are

Meli was started by a new generation of Amazonian leaders who have witnessed first-hand the rapid destruction of our home in the last decades. We see the need to strength the protection and regeneration in our area, acknowledging social and environmental questions.

Meet the team actively working to build this impact network:

First agroecology technician of the Araribóia indigenous territory, Jonas is a Guajajara leader. He takes care of the native stingless bees and is passionated about the local biodiversity. He is responsible for the Meli Nucleus at Arariboia IT.

Jonas Guajarara

President Meli Brasil

Passionate connector, Ana started the Meli Network. She's an engineer and grew up in the arc of deforestation, seeing forest destruction linked to human rights abuses, where concrete support is urgently needed.

Ana Rosa de Lima

Director Meli Bees

Passionate about family agroecology, Alan has lived through the difficult reality of the arc of deforestation. Today he is finishing his degree in agronomy at Unifesspa and is strongly engaged with communities's movement in the region.

Alan de Brito

Project Manager

After 8 years in marketing and branding, Bruna studied MSc in Sustainable Development in Sweden to actively generate positive impact. She loves being in nature, meaningful exchanges and sustainable food systems!

Bruna Iervolino

Project Manager

Coming from the São Tomé do Bracinho do Icatu moroon community, Tainá is studying agronomy in the Federal Rural University of the Amazon, in Parauapebas.

Tainá Viana

Intern

Advisory Board

We also have a team of advisors that support us according to their expertise:

- International cooperation,
- Financing and marketing

Gabriella Crescini

Strategy and Impact Advisor

- Prof. Uni. Bristol
- Author of the book Stingless Bees: Behaviour, Ecology, Evolution

Christoph Grüter

Academic Advisor

- Food & Ag
- TFF Founder
- UN Food System Advisor

Christine Gould

Strategy Advisor

- Commercial strategy
- International and Commercial law

Marco Garofalo

Strategy Advisor

How we Work?

The Network

Our Network is made of:

Contributors Team: Contributors developing clear paid or volunteer activities in the network, that might take place in any region around the world,

Community Members: Anyone who self-identifies as members of indigenous, quilombola, campesino or other rural and urban communities, committed with leading socioenvironmental positive impact can apply to be a Community Member. The Meli Core Team they would join should decide regard the application via consent. Lacking a Core Team in their region, Global Team should check the possibility to open a new Team in the particular region. Any Community Member can either apply or be invited to the Community Board and/or to their respective regional Core Team.

Advisory Board: experts who advise the Network if needed.

Testimonies