Registration open for the course on sustainable businesses with a nature-based focus

• Scholarships are available for those who register and are selected by the evaluation committee

Registration is now open for anyone in Latin America or the Caribbean to enroll in the virtual course: Development of Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Business Models with a Nature-Based Focus, which will take place from January 26 to March 18, 2026., el cual se realizará del 26 de enero al 18 de marzo de 2026.

The course is being offered for the second time and aims to empower rural entrepreneurs to transform nature-related ideas into sustainable, innovative, and competitive businesses that contribute to community development and ecosystem conservation.

This learning opportunity is made possible thanks to the support of the Government of Canada and the Latin American Model Forest Network (RLABM).

The course will be delivered by the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab: ACTIVA-CATIE, part of the Forests and Biodiversity in Productive Landscapes Unit at CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center).

Program and resources

During 16 sessions, each lasting one hour and thirty minutes, classes will begin at 4:30 p.m. and end at 6:00 p.m., Costa Rica time (GMT-6).

“All teaching materials will be uploaded to Google Classroom, where participants can access and download all generated content,” said Vladimir Valera, technical coordinator of the course. He added that as long as the course is in progress, participants will always have access so they can adjust according to their schedules and obtain the information when it is most convenient.

Additionally, the course has approval requirements, making it important to complete the short quizzes for each topic covered. Attendance at sessions must also exceed 80%, and participants must remain present for most of each session.

Topics and instructors

Throughout the course, the topics addressed will relate to entrepreneurship and the development of new opportunities, sustainable business strategy and models, and basic notions of accounting and finance for sustainable businesses. The training will conclude with a block of sessions on strategic digital communication for sustainable businesses.

The lessons will be delivered by professionals in each respective area who are part of the ACTIVA-CATIE team of specialists: Vladimir Valera, Juan José Serrano, Vinicio Vargas, Ricardo Padrón, and Marianela Argüello L.

Participants and profile

Anyone interested in sustainable business topics or who has an entrepreneurship project related to nature may apply. Participation from both women and men is encouraged, and applicants should be willing to commit to attending the sessions.

Likewise, within the framework of the Latin American Model Forest Network, people who are part of a model forest will be considered, as well as individuals located in any territory where good practices in sustainable rural tourism are desired.

Cost, scholarships, and registration

Those interested in registering must do so before Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at the following link:

Those interested in registering must do so before Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/3E4YzQeB79

“It is important to clarify that registration does not in itself guarantee a scholarship, as there will be a selection process. However, we strongly encourage all individuals interested in being part of this learning opportunity to register before the deadline,” said Fernando Carrera, representative of the RLABM.

Selection process

To select participants and assign scholarships, a committee will be established to review each of the forms submitted by interested individuals. The results of the process will be shared starting January 13. Those awarded a scholarship will receive a letter of commitment that must be signed and returned no later than Tuesday, January 20.