Siemens Gamesa is supporting a sustainable honey production project in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.
This project received funding from the ‘Siemens Games 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 honey project involves beekeepers from the cities of Sao Bento do Norte, Joao Camara, Sao Miguel do Gostoso, Touros, Taipu and Jandaira, 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.
It is being carried out in partnership with Giral, a sustainable business consulting firm, CPFL Renovaveis, responsible for wind farms in the region, and Sebrae-RN, a Brazilian micro and small business support service in Rio Grande do Norte.
Funding came from Siemens Gamesa, with each of the other partners taking 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 Renovaveis donated equipment and will continue helping to ensure ongoing operations.
As a result of the project, 160 beekeepers were able to attend courses on topics such as negotiation, management, commercialisation and leadership.
Siemens Gamesa quality analyst in Brazil Amanda Ferreira Diniz said: “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.”
Giral program manager for development projects in Brazil and South America Diogo Vallim said: “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.”