Nature Returns Academies Powered by Connectology Expand Across Europe
Connectology, together with Nature Returns, continues to expand the impact of its academies fostering sustainable entrepreneurship in protected natural areas. Following the first successful editions in São Tomé and Príncipe and Lonjsko Polje, two new academies took place this summer in Pico Island (Azores, Portugal) and Shar Mountain (Balkans).
In July, Pico Island Nature Park, the largest island of the Azores and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, hosted selected entrepreneurs committed to addressing the island’s pressing environmental challenges. Proposals ranged from converting invasive tree species into sustainable charcoal and by-products to launching a consultancy specialising in ecosystem restoration and agroecology, among others. Through mentorship and training sessions, participants strengthened their business strategies with guidance on startup creation, funding, pitching, and the integration of risk-mitigation tools tailored to sensitive ecosystems.
In September, the programme reached Shar Mountain, a transboundary area shared between Kosovo, Albania, and North Macedonia. Renowned for its biodiversity but vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, unsustainable resource use, and climate change, the site provided fertile ground for entrepreneurial innovation. Selected entrepreneurs developed diverse proposals, from pellet production and eco-tourism services to electric bike rentals, a summer school, and even the construction of a via ferrata. Supported by experts, participants received training on scaling circular and green businesses, navigating legal frameworks, accessing grants, and refining their pitches.
Entrepreneurs from both academies will now pitch to a jury, which will award a grant from Nature Returns to help selected ventures move forward. Beyond funding, the selected entrepreneurs will also receive six months of tailored support following the academy, ensuring they have the guidance and resources needed to strengthen their projects and take the first steps toward long-term sustainability.
Read more about the other academies here: https://connectology.eu/2025/06/empowering-nature-based-entrepreneurship-connectology-and-nature-returns-launch-startup-academies/
