Clique aqui para informação em português

The Nature Challenge addresses the lack of business opportunities countering the degradation of Nature on Earth as well as the lack of jobs around areas of natural importance. The Nature Challenge is a competition open for Entrepreneurs and producer organizations (smallholder organizations) who want to start or grow an existing small and medium sized enterprise (SME) in Kenya or Mozambique. These entrepreneurs support biodiversity and the sustainable use of resources. They seek finance in the range of US$ 10,000 and US$ 1 million. They are either in the start-up phase or are an established business. They have the ambition to grow the business in sales and numbers of employees. Plans will be accepted in English, Spanish and French. For portuguese see the information page.

Full participation criteria available here

Country focus: Kenya and Mozambique. Applications from other countries will not be accepted for the Nature Challenge.

Benefits for the participants:

• Receive free coaching, feedback and support in writing your business plan

• The best businesses are invited to a dedicated event in Nairobi / Maputo to be exposed to business partners, financiers, support organizations and media

• International business trips to meet investors and business partners in the Netherlands for the best two entrepreneurs

• Entrepreneurs will compete for local prizes of over €10.000 and an international award of €20.000

• Access over 100 investors interested in financing businesses in developing countries

Deadline for the submission of complete business plans is January 31st, 2010

www.bidnetwork.org/nature