ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

Establishment and Name

A non-profit civil partnership (Astiki Mi Kerdoskopiki Etairia – AMKE), governed by Articles 741 et seq. of the Greek Civil Code, is hereby established under the name BeeLosophy. The organisation operates as a non-profit civil entity under Greek law.

Purpose and Objectives

BeeLosophy is established exclusively for non-profit purposes, even where it engages in economic activities that are ancillary to and supportive of its mission, including the provision of fee-based services.

More specifically, the purposes of BeeLosophy are:

to protect bees and safeguard their populations and well-being;

to promote green and cultural entrepreneurship;

to preserve, protect and promote cultural heritage and the natural environment;

to create added value and foster collaboration through networking among citizens, professionals, scientists and organisations in Greece and abroad;

to generate positive environmental, social and quality-of-life impacts;

to pursue educational and cultural objectives and promote cultural heritage and cultural products;

to encourage respect for and the sustainable management of the environment;

to cultivate environmental awareness, values and behaviours;

to support healthy nutrition and the responsible use of nature's resources, inspired by the honey bee;

to promote the nutritional and medicinal value of hive products;

to encourage innovative initiatives in the agri-food sector;

to facilitate networking and the dissemination of knowledge, experience, best practices and scientific achievements relating to bees;

to support the development of beekeeping, advocate for the non-profit interests of beekeepers and strengthen cooperation among stakeholders involved in beekeeping;

to implement activities of a social, humanitarian, international protection, migration and social inclusion nature;

to undertake advisory, educational and consulting activities consistent with its mission.

Specific Objectives

The specific objectives of BeeLosophy include:

participating in public dialogue on issues relating to bees;

raising public awareness of the importance of bees for biodiversity and human well-being;

implementing environmental and cultural awareness initiatives;

carrying out social solidarity and civil protection activities;

preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of beekeeping, including its links to sustainable tourism;

documenting and promoting agri-food traditions connected with bees, with emphasis on their long-term sustainability;

identifying, promoting and rewarding good practices;

developing sustainable and practical approaches to bee conservation, including wild pollinators;

familiarising the public with bees and beekeeping;

promoting urban beekeeping;

developing and managing certification schemes and quality labels for products, services, materials, equipment, methods and practices in the agri-food, cosmetics and animal feed sectors, with particular emphasis on beekeeping, apiaries, beehives and hive products;

promoting pilot initiatives that support social inclusion and employment;

undertaking any lawful activity that advances the organisation's purposes.

Implementation of the Purposes – Means

To achieve its objectives, BeeLosophy may, either independently or in cooperation with other organisations:

design, implement, support and participate in projects and initiatives relevant to its mission;

collaborate with organisations pursuing similar objectives;

conduct or encourage research and participate in publishing initiatives;

develop or promote educational resources, subject to the permission of their authors;

promote scientific knowledge produced by research institutions;

organise or participate in awareness, education, networking and outreach activities;

organise conferences, seminars, exhibitions, competitions, presentations and other appropriate events;

develop, promote or adapt certification systems and conformity marks;

establish or participate in partnerships, companies or other collaborative structures pursuing common objectives;

implement activities that disseminate and promote knowledge and information;

identify, promote and disseminate best and innovative practices;

organise or participate in beekeeping-related events;

encourage volunteer participation in its activities;

establish working groups and engage distinguished individuals and organisations willing to contribute to its mission;

mobilise local communities and stakeholders in the planning and implementation of its activities;

provide and receive technical and scientific support;

make donations to public, charitable and non-profit organisations;

receive financial or in-kind contributions to support its purposes;

maintain a network of friends, members and supporters who contribute to its activities.

Income – Compensation – Distribution of Funds

BeeLosophy is a non-profit organisation. Accordingly, no profits or surplus may be distributed to its members, either during its operation or upon its dissolution.