Apiens Società Benefit (Benefit Corporation) is a Turin-based company specialising in environmental biomonitoring using honeybees, combining scientific research, sustainability and community engagement. It brings together the expertise of Apicoltura BeeO, which has over ten years of experience in environmental biomonitoring, and Amapola Benefit Corporation, a consultancy specialising in sustainability, communications and stakeholder engagement.
At the heart of the project is Bee Based Intelligence: an innovative approach that harnesses the natural intelligence of honeybees to gather environmental data and turn it into valuable, accessible and actionable insights. Using a biomonitoring protocol validated by the University of Turin, Apiens helps businesses and organisations gain a deeper understanding of their local environment and develop tangible, measurable sustainability initiatives.
Honeybees act as natural environmental sentinels. As they forage, they cover large areas, interacting with air, water, soil and vegetation and effectively collecting millions of tiny environmental samples every day. By analysing materials collected from the hive, Apiens can gather extensive, representative data on environmental conditions across the monitored area, drawing on the reach of this natural sampling network.
Beyond biomonitoring, Apiens develops corporate social responsibility projects, environmental education programmes, biodiversity awareness initiatives and engagement activities for employees, schools, citizens and local communities.
As a Benefit Corporation, Apiens is committed to creating positive environmental and social impact by promoting biodiversity conservation, advancing scientific and environmental literacy, supporting the beekeeping community and fostering collaboration among organisations working towards a more sustainable future.
Apiens believes that knowledge is the first step towards building a more responsible relationship between business, the environment and society. Through honeybees, it highlights the connections between nature, businesses and local communities, helping to foster a culture of sustainability grounded in scientific evidence, participation and shared value.
Apiens at a glance
- 10+ years of experience
- 150 active hives
- 7.5 million bees in its care
- 700 hours of educational and outreach activities delivered