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Call for Women-Led Rural Enterprises in the Brunca Region (Costa Rica)

Deadline: 19-Mar-2026

The +Natura +Rural program, launched by INDER, NIF, and BIOFIN, invites applications from women-led enterprises in the Brunca Region. It aims to strengthen sustainable businesses, promote biodiversity, and support rural women’s contributions to the economy and ecosystem. Grants of up to CRC 7,000,000 are available.

About the +Natura +Rural Program

The +Natura +Rural program, launched by the Institute of Rural Development (INDER), the Nature Investment Facility (NIF), and the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), seeks to empower women-led enterprises in Costa Rica’s Brunca Region. This initiative focuses on strengthening businesses that promote sustainability, responsible use of biodiversity, and income generation, with a particular emphasis on the vital role rural women play in ecosystem conservation, local economies, and the preservation of territorial identity.

Key Objectives

  • Promote Sustainability: Support enterprises that transform natural resources into productive and sustainable ventures.

  • Economic Inclusion: Enhance economic inclusion for rural women by providing access to specialized technical assistance, business management support, market access, and capacity development.

  • Social and Environmental Impact: Foster enterprises that have a positive impact on the economy, society, and environment, contributing to the preservation of biodiversity.

  • Co-investment and Capacity Building: Provide co-investment in equipment, tools, and strategic inputs to improve business productivity, quality, and sustainability.

Categories of Support

The program offers two support categories depending on the level of enterprise development:

  1. Entrepreneur Category: Targets early-stage and non-formalized enterprises, offering up to CRC 4,000,000 for support.

  2. Scaling/Operational Category: For more established businesses that have some level of formalization, offering up to CRC 7,000,000 in support.

Program Benefits

  • Technical Assistance: Participants will receive expert guidance in areas like sustainability, business management, and market access.

  • Investment in Equipment: Focus on tools and strategic inputs to enhance productivity and product/service quality.

  • Capacity Development: Support will be provided to build resilience and long-term business sustainability.

Funding Details

The initial investment for this first call is CRC 250 million, with a goal to mobilize at least CRC 2.15 billion between 2026 and 2030. The program aims to support more than 350 rural women and will gradually expand to other regions of Costa Rica.

Who Can Apply?

Women in the Brunca Region who are leading enterprises that have been operational for at least six months can apply. Eligible enterprises must be involved in one of the following sectors:

  • Agrotourism

  • Handicrafts with territorial identity

  • Natural cosmetics

  • Natural medicine

  • Textiles with cultural identity

Exclusion Criteria

  • Applications from enterprises located in Indigenous territories within the Brunca Region are not eligible for this call. These initiatives are supported separately through the Raíces Program, which follows a differentiated approach.

FAQs

  1. What is the goal of the +Natura +Rural program?
    The program aims to strengthen women-led enterprises that focus on sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and income generation, while supporting the role of rural women in ecosystem preservation and territorial identity.

  2. How much financial support is available?
    The program offers financial support of up to CRC 7,000,000 depending on the enterprise’s development stage, with the Entrepreneur category receiving up to CRC 4,000,000.

  3. Who is eligible to apply?
    Women residing in the Brunca Region who lead enterprises with at least six months of operation in sectors like agrotourism, handicrafts, natural cosmetics, natural medicine, or textiles with cultural identity can apply.

  4. Are enterprises in Indigenous territories eligible?
    No, enterprises in Indigenous territories of the Brunca Region are not eligible for this call. They are supported through the Raíces Program, which provides a differentiated approach.

  5. What types of support are offered?
    The program offers technical assistance, co-investment in tools and equipment, market access, business management guidance, and capacity building to enhance sustainability and enterprise growth.

  6. What is the timeline for funding?
    The initial call offers an investment of CRC 250 million, with the goal to mobilize CRC 2.15 billion by 2030. Applications for the first call open in 2026.

  7. How will the program benefit rural women?
    The program aims to empower 350 rural women in the Brunca Region by providing the tools and support needed to build sustainable businesses that enhance local economies and ecosystem conservation.

Conclusion

The +Natura +Rural program is a significant opportunity for women in the Brunca Region to strengthen their enterprises, promote sustainability, and contribute to biodiversity conservation. Through a combination of technical support, co-investment, and capacity development, the program seeks to empower women and create long-term economic and social benefits for rural communities.

For more information, visit UNDP.