Our beneficiaries

Meet Gogo Passa and Nikos Afendras, beneficiaries of the program "Agroanelixi-Farmers of the Future".

Based in the heart of Greece, in Northern Evia, Gogo and Nikos have been involved in beekeeping for quite a few years now. In 2023, aiming to evolve their family business and improve both products and processes, they decided to participate in the program "Agroanelixi-Farmers of the Future", which was implemented for the 4th consecutive year by the organization "New Agriculture New Generation".

Gogo and Nikos made the big decision to change their lives and turn to beekeeping due to their love for nature and specifically for bees. However, unfortunately, after the major wildfires that occurred in the area in 2021, they lost a large part of their beehives, and thus, among other things, sought the contribution and support of the organization "New Agriculture New Generation".

From Idea to Action

The beekeeping family business "PhaMelaki" was created in 2015 by Gogo and Nikos, who proudly state that they are first-generation beekeepers.

As Gogo aptly puts it, "What drives us and has always driven us is the passion for bees, family, and the environment."

The family, now a business under the name "PhaMelaki", manages approximately 200 beehives. Gogo continues, saying, "We practice nomadic beekeeping, collecting honey, polyfloral bee pollen, beeswax, propolis, and royal jelly, while following proper beekeeping practices for the production of our products."

Additionally, at "PhaMelaki," their goal is to engage with the local community and highlight the importance of bees and pollination to the planet, at every opportunity.

Participation in the "Agroanelixi 2022" accelerator

In 2023, for the fourth consecutive year, "New Agriculture New Generation" implemented the successful program for accelerating agri-food businesses "Agroanelixi-Farmers of the Future", through which farmers, livestock breeders, beekeepers, artisans, cooperatives, and producer groups from all over Greece are supported in creating new differentiated food products based on the unique raw materials of Greek land.

Both Gogo and Nikos felt that their participation in the program was able to provide them with many tools, especially after the devastating fires of 2021.

"With the bees that were saved, we continue the tradition of beekeeping, collecting new products from the regenerating forest, while also taking care of the sustainability and welfare of our bees in the new ecosystem. In this effort, the organization has been with us from the beginning," says Nikos.

Finally, concluding, Gogo adds, "Through our participation in the program, we would like to highlight the unique varieties of honey from our region, create new products and experiences, and be able to share these stories with consumers. This is always our goal."

Gogo Passa participated in the fourth cycle of the Agroanelixi-Farmers of the Future program.

The program supports agri-food businesses, aiming to shape a new entrepreneurial mindset in the sector and develop new differentiated food products through sustainable entrepreneurial efforts.

Implemented by the organization New Agriculture New Generation through the founding donation of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF). The sponsors of the fourth cycle of Agroanelixi-Farmers of the Future are DS Smith, ELBISCO, EFOOD, Letrina S.A., and Specialist Awards.