
History of the
organization
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Sra. Silvana Almeida Rosero
Ups President
The conception of Sustainable Production Units involved a great deal of work. Its beginnings arose when one of its members observed a disturbance in Ayora Park in the city of Tulcán, when he approached and saw the possible murder of a swarm of apis mellifera bees that had landed under a bush; Gasoline and a match would be the detonators that would end the life of living beings whose function in nature is to pollinate, and that thanks to his timely action was rescued and put to safety, over the years, the idea of rescuing other bees in danger, crystallized, forming a social organization under the Superintendence of Popular and Solidarity Economy that, under the current Constitution of Ecuador, acts rightfully in favor of this species. This Association seeks to interact within the following sectors of the economy:
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Primary sector: through agroecological agriculture that seeks sustainable alternatives. It proposes a different way to cultivate the land, through a production free of chemicals, especially those that threaten the life of pollinators, replacing them with compost, biols, humus and other natural fertilizers, which guarantee the common welfare of all the elements of nature, applying ancestral knowledge.
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Secondary sector: Through production and transformation, for example with grapefruit and honey I can make jam that I can then market.
Tertiary sector: The best way to learn about the work done by bees is to visit a beehive.
Api turismo offers this possibility and is located in the tertiary sector of the economy
Our management model is the result of an academic accompaniment at doctoral level, a process of which we are deeply honored. This model, which today guides our north, is based on the interrelationship between the human being, the planet and life. Incorporating valuable contributions from the doctoral thesis, I present it to you as a proposal that reflects our commitment to an integral and sustainable approach.

The author considers the sting and its sting as a tool to graphically reflect the proposal of the management model, starting from the structural, which are the roots that support the other guidelines.
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In this section, the construction of an interpretative theoretical position of reference was sought for the activation of social change with a view to social innovation to promote sustainable rural development centered on apitourism. The result of this part of the research is consolidated in an input theoretical design that is fundamental to formulate the research hypothesis. With the guidelines of the doctorate it is highlighted that social innovation admits the design of a development program that incorporates improvements in the society in which it is lived. For this reason, the networks that a person (the author) has in the social environment, and the different relationships that develop in it, must be taken into account. However, every scientific and doctoral research project must have a hypothesis and an input theory, which in this case was modeled from a sketch or drawing that then serves as a reference for empirical validation and the subsequent generation of the output theory.
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The theoretical position for sustainable development includes the relationships between social and institutional actors as a fundamental part. The links and solidarity ties are important to generate and maintain communication-collaboration. This vision is seen beyond the execution of an action. It is also confirmed by the way bees live in nature. This biological species takes into account their society and interaction and are an example for humans to follow as the starting point to build a more just and equitable society. This theoretical position considers the modeling of the society of bees that together work for the same purpose, “their family”, they all work for each other, each one fulfills a specific function in the colony, they all help each other, they all look for alternatives for survival. This alternative model transcends the merely productive, deepens in the relations of the human being towards a whole, attending to those priority and support factors that guarantee their permanence in the planet, generating conscience and respect towards the other beings that share this space. They being “irrational” animals show an example for the capacities of the human being, but also their attitudes, aptitudes and heart. A different and necessary process, which interacts in six areas of relationship, presented in the following composition:
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Structural Relationships: They constitute the fundamental foundation for continuity and collective development, recognizing that common objectives cannot be achieved in isolation, but rather through consensus and active community participation. These relationships are underpinned by three essential pillars that, in addition to ensuring operational effectiveness, promote sustainable, inclusive and adaptive development. Its approach allows us to respond to contemporary challenges with innovative and effective solutions through the strategic integration of public policies, governance systems and technical strengthening, forming a solid foundation for building an equitable and resilient future.
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Environmental Relationships: These relationships are articulated as an integral strategy for the creation of sustainable homes for Apis mellifera. They focus on the harmonious interaction between human activities and natural ecosystems to ensure the sustainability and protection of Apis mellifera, key agents in pollination and ecological balance, also benefiting other pollinators. This approach is materialized through three main statements: rescue of swarms, reforestation with bee flora, and environmental education, which guide the necessary actions for the creation and promotion of sustainable habitats for these species. This model can also be replicated in different regions, adapting to the specific characteristics of each environment.
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Social Relationships: The links and interactions between individuals, groups and communities that allow the articulation of collective efforts to achieve common objectives. In the context of this proposal, social relations integrate citizen participation, gender and generational perspective, and national and international cooperation, generating a collaborative structure that fosters social cohesion, equity and sustainable development. These relationships not only strengthen local communities, but also connect their needs and aspirations with a global context, creating a virtuous circle of collaboration and development.
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Operational Relationships: These are the backbone to efficiently implement and manage projects where apitourism, agroecology and development monitoring interact in processes that guarantee the efficient functioning of a system, connecting resources, activities and actors involved in its implementation, establishing a functional dynamic that allows achieving the proposed objectives in a sustainable and adaptive manner that not only ensures the success of the initiatives, but also fosters a lasting positive impact on communities, ecosystems and the local economy.
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Scientific Relations: They are the bridge that connects research, tradition and technology to effectively address contemporary challenges. By integrating scientific contributions, the rescue of ancestral knowledge and technology, these relationships not only generate knowledge, but also transform it into tangible and sustainable solutions that benefit both communities and the environment.
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Commercial Relationships: These refer to the connections and dynamics established between individuals, organizations and markets to facilitate the exchange of goods, services and information. In today's context, these relationships integrate key aspects such as marketing, commercialization and communication, forming a strategic system that drives the sustainability, competitiveness and reach of products and services. These relationships not only drive economic growth, but also strengthen trust and loyalty, ensuring that the benefits of products effectively reach both consumers and partners involved in the value chain.