In a statement to Lusa, Susana Viseu, from the social enterprise Business as Nature, responsible for the Nature Guardians Network, said that the project involves training women who work in rural areas, so that they can take advantage of endogenous products.

"The ever-present objective is to keep people in protected areas, an essential condition for their protection," he added.

In the Peneda-Gerês National Park, the project will be publicly launched on Friday, at the Vidoeiro Environmental Education Center, in Terras de Bouro.

As Susana Viseu explained, interested women just need to register and those selected will benefit from training, being helped to structure the business plan, which will then be presented to potential financiers or partners, with the help of mentors.

"We do not guarantee financing, but we help develop the entire project to be financed", explained Susana Viseu.

She highlighted that another advantage of the Nature Guardians Network is the creation of a collaboration network between women from different regions, with the consequent exchange of ideas and experiences.

Inaugurated in June 2024, the network already has around 150 women in several protected areas of the country, such as Montesinho, Litoral Norte de Esposende, Dunas de S. Jacinto/Aveiro, Paul de Arzila/Baixo Mondego, Serra da Estrela, Estuário do Sado, Ria Formosa and Vale do Guadiana.

This month, it has already reached the Douro Internacional Natural Park and will extend to the Tagus Estuary and Douro Internacional, Peneda-Gerês National Park, Serra de Aires de Candeeiros, Serra da Lousã/Açor and Tejo Internacional.

"We expect to close this year with more than 200 guardians", added Susana Viseu.

The projects already in place are varied, from bakers, cheesemakers, shepherds, winemakers, beekeepers, shellfish gatherers/fishermen and researchers, to tourist accommodation and entertainment, crafts and customs and traditions.

"We have women from 20 to 80 years old," said the person in charge.

The network is financed by the Environmental Fund/Institute for Nature and Forest Conservation, within the scope of the Women's Climate Movement Action Plan.