Nature2Nurture is a first-of-its-kind gender-smart program for Nature-based Enterprises creating biodiversity positive impact across the blue economy and green economy. We incubate local Nature-based Enterprises with solutions dedicated to restoring biodiversity, supporting local communities, and bolstering long-term resilience to climate change.

The program is incubating Nature-based Enterprises (NbEs) operating and/or creating impact in Palawan that sustainably use and develop natural resources around marine or forest-protected areas, and promote conservation directly through the provision of its goods and services.

This program is designed and implemented by Villgro Philippines in collaboration with the Sasakawa Peace Foundation.

The Philippines is home to diverse ecosystems, from coral reefs, seagrass beds, and marine wetlands, to natural forests and mountain ranges, making it a key biodiversity area. However, these rich ecosystems face threats from deforestation, unsustainable land development, overfishing, plastic pollution, and climate change, with 1.38 million hectares of marine and 13.1 million hectares of forest areas at risk. Nature-based Enterprises (NBE) play a pivotal part in preserving biodiversity while achieving financial and social goals, amidst threats from mining, deforestation, and accelerated tourism development.

Nature-based Enterprises operate in or around protected areas, sustainably use and develop natural resources, and promote the value of conservation through the provision of its goods and services. Its operations involve local communities, conservation organizations, and indigenous people to support responsible stewardship of nature-based solutions (NbS).