Author: Sernanp Communications
Nine sustainable projects driven by native communities and women entrepreneurs within 11 protected natural areas have access to funding totaling more than 600,000 soles after winning the "Entrepreneurs by Nature" competition of the National Service of Natural Areas Protected by the State (Sernanp) and Profonanpe.
Entrepreneurs by Nature is the first competition of the Program for Conservation and Sustainable Development (PROCODES) that seeks to empower micro and small businesses that carry out activities in the area of protected natural areas, and that contribute to their conservation, as well as to the generation of economic and social development in these spaces, and that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In its first edition, this initiative benefits 639 families, who were awarded and recognized by the Vice Minister of Strategic Development of Natural Resources of the Ministry of the Environment, Luisa Elena Guinand Quintero, who stated that this type of initiative allows us to show the value of protected natural areas to support local economies and to show us that conserving and using resources sustainably are activities that can be done together.
«"From the Ministry of the Environment, we invite you to become ambassadors for the country's protected natural areas and to demonstrate, through your efforts and experience, the value of these spaces as a source of resources and opportunities for sustainable development," he emphasized.
“These types of initiatives aim to continue generating synergies with communities linked to protected natural areas and allow us to showcase these spaces as a source of development. These nine projects are a clear example of the creativity, enthusiasm, and drive of ideas that combine ancestral knowledge and practices with conservation,” highlighted Pedro Gamboa, head of Sernanp.
It is worth noting that of the total number of winners, 221% of the ventures are led by women, who, like the rest of the awardees, will receive funding of between 30,000 and 80,000 soles each, an amount that will allow them to enhance their activities and successfully reactivate them in the current pandemic context.
Mayra Calvo Díaz, representative of Savia, an eco-friendly products company, expressed her gratitude for the recognition of this initiative led by women from the Loreto region. Through the development of biodegradable products, they seek to improve their environment and promote the sustainable use of natural resources. She also noted that this project promotes the empowerment of women from native communities within the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve in the value chain and in resource conservation.
The winning ventures are related to 11 protected natural areas in the regions of Cajamarca, Cusco, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Pasco, Tumbes and Ucayali; for the development of sustainable economic activities such as the use of hydrobiological resources (mangrove crab, paco, gamitana), wild flora and fauna (mountain meat, sangre de grado, huasaí) and agroforestry resources (cacao, honey, coffee).
The goal of this initiative is for it to be replicable throughout the Peruvian territory, giving more Peruvians the opportunity to become allies in the conservation of our natural heritage, as well as agents of change and development.
The fact
The Program for Conservation and Sustainable Development (PROCODES) aims to conserve biodiversity and contribute to local economic development through a strategy of sustainable management and use of natural resources, for the benefit of the communities associated with protected natural areas. This program is funded by public funds and international cooperation.
