Over the past two weeks, we spent time on the ground in Mexico co-creating our next initiative alongside chinampero leaders in Xochimilco. These guardians of a centuries-old agroforestry system face pressing environmental and socio-economic challenges. Working hand in hand with Indigenous leaders, local cooperatives, and civil society allies, Meli is developing a multifaceted project that aims not only to regenerate Xochimilco’s ecosystem, but also to empower the people who protect it. This journey was about listening, learning, and building something meaningful together

Author: Laura Soto

Leia em português.

Walking Together with Xochimilco’s Guardians

Xochimilco is one of the last remaining vestiges of an ancestral agricultural practice that predates colonization. The chinampas—raised beds built on shallow lake beds—are part of a sophisticated agroecological system developed by the Mexica and other Indigenous civilizations in the Valley of Mexico. Today, chinamperos, the farmers who continue this tradition, carry the responsibility of maintaining a practice that nourishes both the land and culture.

Our team traveled to Xochimilco to join forces with these guardians and plan the next phase of our work in Mexico. For generations, chinamperos have preserved this agroforestry system, growing food in harmony with nature. However, as climate change accelerates, urban development encroaches, and public policies fail to support small-scale farmers, this unique ecosystem is now under serious threat.

Beyond its cultural significance, Xochimilco is a vital wetland that sustains the environment and people of Mexico City. It provides essential ecosystem services like air purification, flood control, temperature regulation, and water cycle maintenance. It’s no exaggeration to say that protecting Xochimilco means protecting the future of the capital.

And yet, the future of the chinampas hangs in the balance. According to SEMARNAT (2020), around 80% of chinampas are currently abandoned. Younger generations are increasingly walking away from this way of life, discouraged by the lack of institutional support, poor market access, and the difficulty of obtaining green certifications or eco-labels. This makes it nearly impossible for chinamperos to earn fair and sustainable incomes, even as they offer so much to their communities and the broader ecosystem.

Despite these challenges, there is also incredible resilience. Some young people are determined to reclaim their heritage and restore what has been neglected. It is with these leaders that Meli is working—co-creating a long-term project that supports the regeneration of the chinampas, strengthens community economies, and promotes agroecological practices rooted in ancestral wisdom.

Our approach is deeply collaborative. We are weaving together efforts with Indigenous leaders, cooperatives, youth organizations, and policy advocates to ensure that the solutions are both regenerative and sustainable—socially, economically, and ecologically.

Promoting Cooperativism for Systemic Change

During our stay, we were invited to participate in the “Foro por un México Solidario: El Cooperativismo en el Marco de la Construcción del Sistema Nacional de Cuidados” held at the Chamber of Deputies in Mexico City. This forum brought together organizations, policymakers, and grassroots leaders to discuss the future of cooperativism in Mexico—especially in the context of care work, environmental stewardship, and community resilience.

We joined this space to explore how cooperative models could help support chinamperos in Xochimilco. We believe that cooperativism is not just an economic tool—it’s a philosophy of mutual support and shared responsibility. For communities like those in Xochimilco, who face systemic marginalization and lack of public investment, forming strong cooperative networks could help build economic stability while preserving traditional knowledge and ecological practices.

It was inspiring to see the alignment of so many voices advocating for care-centered economies, including those that recognize environmental regeneration and food sovereignty as part of a national care strategy.

Uplifting Indigenous Languages and Leadership

Our time in Mexico City also gave us the opportunity to deepen our engagement with Indigenous leaders who are working to preserve and revitalize linguistic and cultural heritage.

One of those voices is Minerva Sánchez, an Indigenous activist and a member of the Council of Representatives of Indigenous and Afro-Mexican Communities living in the capital. Minerva is a passionate advocate for the protection and revitalization of Mexico’s Indigenous languages. According to the National Institute of Indigenous Languages (INALI), there are 68 native languages and over 3,200 linguistic variants spoken across the country—many of which are at risk of disappearing.

Minerva reminded us that language is not just communication; it is memory, identity, and resistance. When we lose a language, we lose a unique worldview, a set of ancestral teachings, and a vital connection to land and community.

Thanks to her invitation, Meli was featured on Radio Mx, con Sentido Social, where we had the opportunity to share our work and speak about the importance of reinforcing education in Indigenous communities. We talked about Meli’s mission to empower Indigenous and local leaders by supporting the development of community-based projects. We also discussed our commitment to uniting different stakeholders—civil society, policymakers, academia, and youth—to promote the autonomy and self-determination of these communities.

Meli’s Ongoing Commitment in Mexico

Our journey to Mexico these past two weeks was only the beginning of a broader, deeper commitment. As we walk alongside the people of Xochimilco and other Indigenous and local communities, we continue to listen, adapt, and co-create solutions that reflect their realities and aspirations.

In the face of ecological loss, cultural erosion, and economic inequality, the path forward must be built with care, respect, and collective action. At Meli, we believe that regenerative futures are possible—because they are already being imagined and nurtured by the very communities that have long been protecting the planet.

Together, we will continue to sow the seeds of change.