Nature Returns is based on the principle that long-term conservation outcomes are most effective when local communities, entrepreneurs, park authorities, and experts are actively involved in designing and implementing solutions. Through a collaborative approach, Nature Returns transforms conservation from a purely institutional responsibility into a shared local mission

For this collaboration, Nature Returns’ model combines the Identification of key environmental and socio-economic challenges affecting each protected area; promotes Calls for Ideas and Calls for Entrepreneurs inviting local stakeholders to propose business solutions addressing the environmental challenges while supporting sustainable economic development; organizes tailored onsite Academies for selected entrepreneurs focused on business development, investment readiness, and conservation impact; provides seed grant funding; and continuously mentors and assists business development.

Across all 5 pilot sites, the initiative supported the development of nature-positive businesses capable of generating both environmental and socio-economic benefits. Having distinct ecosystems, governance structures, and local realities in each location, stakeholder consultations and assessments helped identify key environmental pressures and entrepreneurial opportunities. Across all pilot areas, the programme received 57 early-stage ideas; more than 40 formal business proposals; and 32 selected ventures for intensive support through the onsite Academies.

After completing this exciting phase of business development, 15 ventures are currently taking off for the benefit of the five protected areas:

Lonjsko Polje Nature Park (Croatia)

• OPG Grgić – A family business producing honey in the Lonjsko Polje area, aiming to expand its educational activities by developing an open-air educational park, and to increase the visibility and commercial reach of its honey products

Pico Island Nature Park (Azores, Portugal)

• Sintrópico – A consultancy initiative focused on ecosystem restoration, agroecology, and Nature-Based Solutions, providing technical support to farmers, landowners, entrepreneurs, and local stakeholders.
• ImpactAz – An initiative of cultivation of mate plants as a sustainable agricultural alternative through restoration of habitats invaded by alien species.
• EcoDesafíos – An eco-hunting and nature management project focused on controlling invasive goat and sheep populations to support biodiversity conservation and reduce ecological pressure on local ecosystems.
• Picochar – An innovative circular-economy initiative to transform invasive plant species into biochar and biostimulants.

Príncipe Nature Park (São Tomé and Príncipe)

• Ecological Bricks – A sustainable construction initiative that produces ecological bricks from locally sourced materials and prevents wood logging and sand extraction for construction.
• Buzio Obo – A nature-based business initiative focused on breeding and commercialising invasive snail species in São Tomé and Príncipe, at the same time improving the status of the native Giant bo Snail.

Shar Mountain National Park (North Macedonia)

• Viktorijan Hajts Dooel – A family business initiative focused on the production of wooden pellets using wood waste collected in the Shar Mountain region.
• Mountain Experience – A via ferrata climbing route and adventure tourism infrastructure within the National Park, completing the services provided by the authority.
• Mountaineering Club Ljuboten – An initiative of sustainable cultivation of Sideritis scardica, commonly known as Shar Mountain tea, reducing pressure from illegal wild harvesting.
• Nature Nomads – A digital platform promoting eco-tourism in the Sharr Mountains; and providing information about the sustainable services across the park.
• Summer School – A nature-based summer school programme within Shar Mountain National Park

Ulcinj Salina Nature Park (Montenegro)

• Camping Association of Montenegro – A low-impact camper area connected to the revitalization of the Ulcinj Salina Nature Park.
• FlamingoRide – a sustainable mobility initiative designed to improve visitors’ access to and experience within the Ulcinj Salina Nature Park using electric scooters adapted to natural terrain.
• Reborn by Adventures – Cycling and walking tours, birdwatching experiences, and educational nature-based activities designed to promote the area, attract visitors, raise environmental awareness, and support local economic activity

These ventures demonstrated how, through entrepreneurship, they could directly contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and/or complement the management capacity of the protected areas while creating sustainable local economic opportunities, so they received the Grant support conceded by Nature Returns, and the Business Development Support by Connectology.

According to Connectology’s findings, “by combining conservation priorities with entrepreneurship support, the project successfully mobilized local stakeholders to co-create solutions that generate both environmental and socio-economic value. Across five pilot sites, Nature Returns strengthened local ownership of conservation challenges, supported implementation-ready ventures, and developed a practical model for conservation-driven entrepreneurship that can be replicated in other protected areas globally.”

These findings are now published and made available at the Nature Returns website for public consultation.