Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) has a strong commitment to the communities where it operates, and this is supported through its ‘Sustainable Honey Production’ project in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.
This project received funding from the ‘SGRE impact’ initiative, launched globally in 2018. Siemens Gamesa employees submitted 192 potential projects aimed at bringing positive change to their communities. Eight projects from seven countries were chosen to receive funding.
The project involves beekeepers from the cities of São Bento do Norte, João Câmara, São Miguel do Gostoso, Touros, Taipú and Jandaíra, and aims to address the structuring, strengthening and expansion of activities of six groups in the honey production chain, and in turn stimulate local and regional economies. Beekeeping is one of the main economic activities in this region, and its importance is shown by the professional level of its beekeepers, research investment and growing honey production.
The project is carried out in partnership with Giral, a sustainable business consulting firm, CPFL Renováveis, responsible for wind farms in the region, and Sebrae-RN, a Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service in Rio Grande do Norte. While funded by Siemens Gamesa, each partner took on a specific role in the Project; Giral focused on generating shared value through resource intelligence and cross-sectoral governance, Sebrae-RN provided technical production support, and CPFL Renováveis donated equipment and will continue helping to ensure ongoing operations.
As a result, 160 beekeepers were able to attend courses in topics such as negotiation, management, commercialization and leadership. The project was an opportunity to bring back beekeeping to the Mato Grande Region, addressing issues such as inadequate handling, processing in unauthorized locations, selling below market value and unstructured relations.
Today, SGRE impact’s ‘Sustainable Honey Production’ project provides a formal business structure to the communities with a branded product called ‘Mel do Mato Grande’.
“We wanted to create opportunities for local communities in Rio Grande do Norte by empowering them to become protagonists of their own economic development. The Project provides extra income for the beekeepers, as it supports them in producing more honey and selling it at a better price. Also, they receive continuous support from our partners and learn a set of capabilities that is critical for their future development, such as cross-cultural dialogue or marketing. This project and our SGRE impact initiative make me proud to work for my company,” remarked Amanda Ferreira Diniz, Quality Analyst with Siemens Gamesa in Brazil, who applied for funding for this project.
“The project is implemented in a region with one of the lowest human development indexes in South America. The installation of wind power parks has brought a new economic dynamic for the communities, and a project such as the ‘Sustainable Honey Production’ strengthens the ties between beekeeper communities, companies, and the local civil society, with an impact that goes beyond the actual income generated by the beekeepers,” said Diogo Vallim, Program Manager for Development Projects in Brazil and South America for Giral.
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