Meet the Buyer - EEN Matchmaking Event

13–17 Oct 2025

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Santiago Arenas Henao

Founder

FLOREA

Medellin, Colombia

10 profile visits

Founder of Florea, creating handcrafted beehives for stingless bees, blending conservation, education, and artisan support in Colombia.

My organisation

FLOREA

FLOREA

Medellin, Colombia

Florea is a Colombian initiative dedicated to the conservation of native stingless bees and the promotion of sustainable, community-based solutions for biodiversity. The organization designs and produces patented, artisanal beehives that serve as both functional habitats for pollinators and unique works of art. By collaborating with local artisans, Florea generates income opportunities for families while preserving traditional craftsmanship. Beyond production, Florea develops and delivers educational programs that bring pollinator conservation into schools, community spaces, and urban environments. These initiatives combine hands-on learning with ecological awareness, allowing students and families to better understand the essential role of pollinators in food security and ecosystems. With more than 13 years of experience in meliponiculture, Florea integrates creativity, science, and education to reconnect people with nature. Current projects include expanding hive adoption programs, supporting biodiversity initiatives in schools and public spaces, and laying the foundation for a Pollinator Park in Medellín—an innovative space where community, art, and ecology converge.
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About me

I am Santiago Arenas Henao, founder of Florea in Medellín, Colombia. For more than 13 years, I have dedicated my work to pollinator conservation, focusing on native stingless bees. My background is in marketing and international collaboration, and I combine creativity, leadership, and a global perspective to develop projects that connect biodiversity, education, and community.

As a cancer survivor, my personal journey has strengthened my commitment to creating initiatives that bring hope, resilience, and sustainability. I am passionate about co-creating with artisans, supporting families through meaningful work, and inspiring the next generation to reconnect with nature.

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Skills

  • creative
  • Beekeeper
  • Marketing
  • ideas

Interests

  • Bees
  • Conservation
  • Nature
  • beekeeping
  • pollinators
  • Butterflies
  • nature based solutions
  • impact
  • Environment
  • Climate Change

Marketplace (18)