Meli conceptualises, coordinates and drives the implementation of projects associated with native bees. Our productive systems bring a holistic approach, acknowledging the heritage and current circumstances of all local actors involved in the environmentally and economically sustainable practices.

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Meliponiculture

The care of “stingless” bees – leading to pollination, increase of biodiversity and products as honey wax, pollen, propolis and royal jelly.

Environmental Education

Meli involves the whole community, bringing awareness about the (less aggressive) native “stingless” bees.

Research

In partnership with local and international research institutes, we support the creation of scientific knowledge made by Amazônidas.

Our Impact

Our projects focus in positively impact (1) local biodiversity, (2) community resilience (3) scientific research, (4) education and cultural heritage conservation and (5) food sovereignty and economic security.

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Local biodiversity

The meliponini, often referred to as “stingless bees”, are fundamental for the local biodiversity. These insects are the primary pollinators of diverse native species and meliponiculture is key to support these wonderful pollinators!

Education and Cultural Heritage

Meli works with Environmental Education in partnership with local schools, developing activities to involve the local communities as a whole and acknowledging and supporting the cultural heritage of the local community.

Scientific Research

Meli projects are developed in partnership with local research and education institutes, supporting the creation of scientific knowledge in the Amazon area, by the Amazonian people – we strongly believe that’s the only long-term viable solution.

Community Resilience

The development of projects acting as models to the surrounding communities will further reinforce the community through positive self-esteem. The activities are structured around the idea of commons, what closely mirrors the indigenous perspective, which has distinctly communal focus around such activities.

Food Sovereignty and Economic Security

Securing the access to products traditionally used as food and medicine is indispensable to protect the food sovereignty of Amazonian communities. This helps to maintain the dietary traditions of the community and block the entrance of industrialised sugar and the diseases related to its overconsumption.
In a long-term perspective, the meliponiculture products will be market in a fair-trade manner, in order to improve local livelihoods.