One of the main strategies for the conservation of natural protected areas (NPAs) that the Ministry of the Environment has been promoting through the National Service of Natural Areas Protected by the State (Sernanp), is the development of sustainable economic activities based on the responsible management and use of natural resources that contribute to the protection of these areas and generate economic and social development for the benefit of their communities.
It is in this context that Sernanp, together with the Environmental Fund of Peru, Profonanpe, The initiative was officially announced today by authorities from the environmental sector, such as the head of the Advisory Cabinet of the Ministry of the Environment, Manuel Mesones; the general manager of Sernanp, Rodolfo Valcárcel; and the executive director of Profonanpe, Anton Willems.
Promoting the articulation between the State, the private sector and international cooperation, this contest was created with the purpose of promoting the welfare of Peruvians, given the context currently faced due to the situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Ministry of the Environment, Sernanp and Profonanpe are promoting this contest that benefits all the producers of the NPAs that are committed to clean and sustainable production, and this must be encouraged,” said Manuel Mesones, head of the Cabinet of Advisors of the Minam. “The idea is to reopen the market to these producers in order to bring development to these protected natural areas and make this protection truly sustainable,” he added.
Emprendedores por Naturaleza aims to promote and strengthen private enterprises for the sustainable use of natural resources associated with NPAs that contribute to their conservation and generate local economic development. Likewise, in order to enhance opportunities for women leaders and entrepreneurs, priority will be given to ensuring that at least 30% of the winning proposals are led by women.
This program promoted by SERNANP will be financed with resources from the National Fund for Natural Protected Areas (FONANPE) through Profonananpe, constituting the initial capital to promote these enterprises. The competition will be aimed at micro and small enterprises, for which a total of 718,600 soles will be allocated during its first call.
In this way, the Conservation and Sustainable Development Program seeks to become a financing opportunity within the current context of COVID-19 and to be a reference for economic reactivation from the environmental sector, in addition to becoming a constant and long-term intervention for the Natural Protected Areas System.
To learn about the rules and apply to the contest, you can go to www.profonanpe.org.pe/concursos
